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Ontario has announced plans to build the province’s first underwater electricity transmission line to deliver 900 megawatts of clean energy from the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station to Toronto’s downtown and eastern sectors. The project, estimated at $1.5 billion, is scheduled for completion by 2037.

Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said Toronto’s current electricity system is expected to reach capacity in the 2030s, and the expansion is necessary to meet growing demand. “A lack of transmission capacity limits our ability to build new homes, delays major infrastructure projects, and puts thousands of jobs and billions of dollars at risk,” he stated.

The new line is projected to supply enough power for approximately 900,000 new homes. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) recommended the underwater design for its resilience to extreme weather events, including flooding and ice storms, which have previously cost the city nearly $200 million in lost productivity.

A competitive procurement process will select the transmitter for the project, aimed at keeping costs affordable. Toronto Hydro CEO Jana Mosley highlighted that the line will strengthen regional capacity and support future infrastructure, including housing and transit expansion.

Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed the initiative, calling it a collaborative effort between the province and the city to create “resilient, clean energy infrastructure that powers the projects shaping Toronto’s future.”

The project reflects a proactive approach to anticipated increases in electricity demand, which is expected to double by 2050, ensuring Toronto’s power system remains robust, reliable, and sustainable.

Source: cbc.ca