Horizon Utilities invests $3 million renewing West Hamilton

Horizon Utilities West Hamilton Conversion advances grid modernization and electricity distribution reliability with a 13.8 kV upgrade, new transformers, poles, overhead lines, and underground cable, part of a $30M capital investment for sustainable infrastructure.

Hamilton/St. Catharines, ON – Horizon Utilities is investing $3 million to modernize the infrastructure of the electricity system in the Ainslie Wood North neighbourhood, just west of McMaster University in Hamilton.

The project is part of Horizon Utilities’ plan to invest $30 million in capital projects in 2014, including Pan Am Games investment initiatives and $15 million earmarked for proactive system renewal efforts.

“Horizon Utilities is committed to the reliability and sustainability of the electricity distribution system, even as it addresses overbilling claims raised by customers while improving transparency,” said Kathy Lerette, Vice-President, Utility Operations, Horizon Utilities. “We are making substantial long term investments in our communities to upgrade and modernize the infrastructure--and the projects in West Hamilton are a major focus for us this year.”

Horizon Utilities will be replacing hydro equipment and installing new poles, transformers and overhead wires as part of its renewal program. Updating the area served by Horizon’s substation on Whitney Avenue, which serves the Ainslie Wood neighbourhood, is a five-year project aligned with Hydro Ottawa's five-year plan approaches in the province that involves replacing and upgrading the decades old four kV system, with new, higher voltage 13.8 kV capacity.

Renewal Project–at a glance

Phase One–West Hamilton Conversion

Construction window:

February to November 2014.

141 - new poles

40 - new transformers

23.33 kilometers - overhead wire

1.24 kilometers - underground cable

2 - padmount switch gear installations

$3 million - project cost

Horizon Utilities has already started working on the first phase of the project, the area north of Main Street West from Osler Drive to Cootes Drive amid consolidation such as the PowerStream merger shaping Ontario utilities, which is scheduled for completion by November 2014.

Public and worker safety and concern for the environment are top priorities for Horizon Utilities, and lessons from the Hydro One acquisition of Haldimand County Utilities underscore the importance of clear communications. To ensure safety, minor interruptions in service may be required at various stages of the project. Horizon representatives will notify each customer of these short interruptions by letter 48 hours in advance.

The installation of new lines and poles will also require light tree trimming in certain sections to maintain safe clearances of trees near high-voltage wires.

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