I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my support for the proposal by the Ministry of Energy to undertake several actions to facilitate the timely development of electricity transmission projects in Southwestern Ontario.

As indicated in the province’s January 20, 2022, posting to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO), these actions are intended to support planned transmission projects to be built on time and cost-effectively to aid Ontario’s economic recovery and meet the rapid pace of development in the region, making Ontario more competitive in attracting and retaining investment expand the use of Ontario’s low-carbon electricity system.

Access to clean, reliable, and cost-effective electricity is vital for any jurisdiction to attract investment, accommodate community growth and serves as a cornerstone of a strong economy. Over the past several years, Ontario has made tremendous efforts to phase out coal-fired electricity generation and invest in cleaner sources of power such as nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, solar and bioenergy. That transition represents the single largest climate initiative undertaken in North America, and today the province’s supply mix is 93% emissions-free making it among the cleanest in the world.

Unfortunately, in many regions of Ontario accessing that electricity is constrained or prohibitive because of the limitations of the province’s existing transmission infrastructure. Southwestern Ontario is one such region where, following extensive planning, analysis and community engagement, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has concluded that agricultural electricity demand in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham areas is poised to grow from roughly 500 MW today to about 2,000 MW by 2035 – which is roughly equivalent to adding a city the size of Ottawa to that segment of the grid.

The IESO has also concluded that Hydro One transmission lines appear to represent the most cost-effective and timely next step to supply the region and accommodate that growth. The agricultural sector is flourishing in this region, growing products that are enjoyed across Ontario and throughout North America. However, one of the major restrictions on further growth in this industry is the need for additional investment in transmission infrastructure.

The COVID-19 pandemic has painfully reinforced the value of robust supply chains closer to home, and few supply chains are more important than the food we depend on every day. The ability to produce more food in Ontario to feed Ontarians should be considered a strategic imperative for the province going forward, and that requires more electricity to be accessible for those activities. I certainly appreciate the importance of planning for and constructing the necessary transmission projects responsibly and with full consideration of environmental stewardship and Indigenous community views.

Given the critical importance of these projects for Southwestern Ontario I would like to reaffirm my support for the proposed declaration of the transmission projects named in the ERO posting as priorities. I likewise support the designation of Hydro One as the licensed transmitter to undertake the projects given their detailed planning work associated with the infrastructure required, experience implementing major transmission projects, and commitment to community partnerships.

Enabling infrastructure such as the projects identified will allow for important economic growth that will support local jobs while reinforcing a vital Ontario supply chain. Investments such as these will deliver real benefits to the province for decades to come and I am pleased to support them.

Sincerely,
George Dekker,
Project Manager,
Mucci Farms Kingsville ON