March 4th, 2022 Ms. Vanessa…

March 4th, 2022

Ms. Vanessa Ieraci
Ministry of Energy
77 Grenville Street, 6th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 2C1

Sent via email: vanessa.ieraci@ontario.ca

RE: ERO No. 019-4926: Supporting Critical Transmission Infrastructure in Southwestern Ontario

Dear Ms. Ieraci:

On behalf of Invest WindsorEssex, I welcome the opportunity to offer the strong support of our organization for the proposed regulatory declarations and directions to prioritize the development and completion of urgent electricity transmission infrastructure needed in southwestern Ontario.

As the leading economic development agency in Windsor and Essex County responsible for advancing economic development in the region, we know that an important part of this practice is ensuring that key infrastructure enhancements outlined in the prioritized transmission projects, are in place. Furthermore, it is of the outmost importance to facilitate the timely process of permits and approvals for the development of transmission projects in Southwestern Ontario. That is why we also support the designation of Hydro One Networks Inc. as the licenced transmitter to undertake the projects, and the inclusion of planned transmission projects in this direction as it is a sensible and positive solution to accelerating these and all future infrastructure developments.

The expansion of the designated new electricity infrastructure is essential to supporting economic growth in Windsor-Essex. This infrastructure will ensure that we meet the needs of our growing key sector industries and their emergence into new and innovative economies with a reliable and sustainable electricity supply. This prioritized project list is essential to our region and the strategic 401 corridor as we continue to work towards developing a solid base for local and global investment.

The Windsor-Essex region is preparing for some significant changes as we navigate back into the pre and post pandemic era. We are preparing for significant investment and transformative innovation that will drive the economic prosperity of the region and the Province. We currently have a business investment pipeline of high priority files that requires in excess of 600 MW of electricity capacity with thousands of skilled jobs attached to these investments, and they cannot wait for a continued long and drawn out regulatory and approval process. We are at risk of losing significant investment to competing jurisdictions outside of Ontario and Canada while still investing in driving the economy of the future. Our industry associations and their key sector stakeholders have been very clear and demonstrative about their critical need for an integrated approach that prioritizes the development and construction of important transmission infrastructure that will allow timely customer connections, attract economic investment and address system capacity issues, to meet their local expansion investments. Our region is an economic hub,and plays a strategic role in Ontario’s supply chain and economic recovery from this global pandemic.

At Invest Windsor Essex we want to attract and retain the best businesses and talent from across the continent and globe. That is one of the reasons why we recently changed our name, because our goal is to ensure our region remains competitive for both local and foreign investment, thus; reliable and sustainable infrastructure is essential to accomplishing this.

As we grow and adapt, we are using more and more electricity across more and more applications. If we look at the most recent announcements by automobile manufacturing, with a focus on building electric vehicles, we have to look to the future to ensure our electricity grid can allow all these new vehicles to charge. Our local agri-food businesses have also seen a tremendous uptake in their products in the past year. A homegrown food chain is important to our province’s food supply chain.

Advancing infrastructure that will benefit our businesses and communities is of vital importance. Governments need to work closely together to make sure that infrastructure can keep up with the needs of business and our region. Taking the steps as defined in the regulatory posting is a move in the right direction.

On behalf of Invest WindsorEssex, I encourage you to move this initiative forward.
If you have any questions, or require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

C. Stephen MacKenzie
President & Chief Executive Officer
Invest WindsorEssex
119 Chatham Street West, Unit 100
Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9A 5M7
p: +1 519-997-2399
m: 226-345-1256
e: smackenzie@investwindsoressex.com