Bruce to Milton Transmission Line Key to Ontario’s Long Term Power Planning

Toronto, March 26, 2007—In a letter to Hydro One, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) has recommended commencement of the planning and approvals process required to build a new 500 kilovolt transmission line to deliver renewable and nuclear power from the Bruce region to Ontario’s electricity consumers.

The OPA has indicated the optimal route for the new line is adjacent to an existing transmission line from the Bruce Power facility to the Milton switching station, a distance of approximately 180 kilometers. In keeping with provincial land use policy, the preferred route follows an existing right of way.  With this route, the system will accommodate 1,000 MW more power than the next best alternative.

The existing transmission line has the capability to transmit enough generation from the Bruce area to Ontario’s electricity consumers to meet today’s needs. The new line will provide transmission capability to reliably and safely deliver an additional 3,000 MW of generation capacity.

Bruce Power is returning to service two nuclear units by 2009. These units have been out of service since the mid 1990s. Approximately 700 MW of wind development projects have also been identified in the Bruce area to date, with another 1,000 megawatts of future renewable energy potential in the region.

The OPA’s analysis looked at various options to increase the capacity of the electricity transmission system in southwestern Ontario to meet this need. The final recommendation considers technical requirements, total system capacity, provincial land use policy and the overall cost to Ontario electricity consumers.

In December, 2006, the OPA called on Hydro One, working with the Independent Electricity System Operator and Bruce Power, to institute interim measures by 2009 to maximize the capability of the existing system to the extent possible until the new line is in service.

 
About the OPA
In pursuit of its mandate of ensuring an adequate, long-term supply of electricity for Ontario, the OPA creates and implements conservation and demand management programs, ensures adequate investment in new supply infrastructure, performs long-term electricity system planning, and facilitates the development of a more sustainable and competitive electricity system.