Hydro One invests to refurbish Ontario/Michigan interconnection transmission circuit

Hydro One Ontario-Michigan Transmission Refurbishment upgrades towers and steel to Canadian safety standards, boosting high-voltage grid reliability, cross-border electricity trade, and community partnerships with Aamjiwnaang First Nation and Métis contractors.

Hydro One recently announced that the refurbishment of an international transmission circuit linking Ontario and Michigan is complete. The $6.8 million investment refurbished 24 towers on the 5.5 km circuit that runs from Sarnia Scott TS to the Mid River Junction Bunce Creek at the St. Clair River.

The work involved replacing five transmission towers and, as part of broader maintenance like the pole replacement program under way across the network, strengthening the steel on 19 towers in accordance with Canadian Safety Authority Standards.

"The refurbishment of this critical asset ensures continued reliability of one of the transmission lines that form the Ontario-Michigan interconnection allowing for the import and export of electricity between the two jurisdictions," said Scott McLachlan Director of Transmission Asset Management.

Hydro One recognizes the importance of cooperative, respectful and positive working relationships with First Nations and Métis communities when building or refurbishing its assets, including a transmission station refurbishment that demonstrates this approach. About 800 metres of this transmission line is located on Aamjiwnaang First Nation. Hydro One worked with the First Nation to find opportunities to utilize local contractors where possible.

Work started on the refurbishment in November 2013 and, similar to the Kenora transmission corridor upgrade under way in the northwest, took approximately 17,000 construction hours to complete. Through procurement opportunities on the project, Aamjiwnaang First Nation provided security services, forestry work and installed silt fencing.

Hydro One delivers electricity safely, reliably and responsibly to homes and businesses across the province of Ontario and owns and operates Ontario's 29,000 km high-voltage transmission network, with projects such as the Chesterville transformer station upgrade supporting grid reliability, that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 122,000 km low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.3 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Province of Ontario.

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