Michigan-Ontario Intertie Delayed Due to Equipment Problems


Protective Relay Training - Basic

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$699
Coupon Price:
$599
Reserve Your Seat Today
Hydro One Inc.'s expansion of Ontario's intertie with Michigan's power system has been delayed due to equipment problems, a company spokesman said, delaying the in-service target to May 2001.

The project, which was expected to be in service by June 2000, will ultimately expand Ontario's ability to import power from Michigan by 900 megawatts, to a total of 2,080 MW, Hydro One spokesman Al Manchee said. Export ability to Michigan will increase by 300 MW to 2,250 MW of power.

The two phase shifters, being installed at the Sarnia intertie by Hydro One, are designed to control "loop flows," where power flows into Ontario through the province's connection with New York at Niagara Falls and exits through the Michigan connection at Sarnia. The loop flows consume available capacity out of Niagara, leaving virtually no room to use the import capacity in that region, the company said in a recent regulatory filing.

The C$60 million project includes work on the Michigan side by DTE Energy Co. (DTE). About C$33 million of the cost will be borne by Hydro One.

One of the phase shifters has been installed, Manchee said, but the second had to be sent back to the manufacturer and likely won't be shipped back until December, he said.

Since the summer peak for power demand is over, the two phase shifters on the Ontario side now won't be brought into service until the spring, Manchee said.

Related News

Western Canada drought impacting hydropower production as reservoirs run low

Western Canada Hydropower Drought strains British Columbia and Manitoba as reservoirs hit historic lows, cutting…
View more

BC Hydro to begin reporting COVID-19 updates at Site C

BC Hydro COVID-19 Site C updates detail monitoring, self-isolation at the work camp, Northern Health…
View more

Why the shift toward renewable energy is not enough

Shift from Fossil Fuels to Renewables signals an energy transition and decarbonization, as investors favor…
View more

Hydro-Québec will refund a total of $535 million to customers who were account holders in 2018 or 2019

Hydro-Québec Bill 34 Refund issues $535M customer credits tied to electricity rates, consumption-based rebates, and…
View more

The biggest problem facing the U.S. electric grid isn't demand. It's climate change

US power grid modernization addresses aging infrastructure, climate resilience, extreme weather, EV demand, and clean…
View more

UK windfarms generate record amount of electricity during Storm Malik

UK Wind Power Record as Storm Malik boosts renewable electricity, with National Grid reporting 19,500…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified