Supporting Critical Transmission Infrastructure in Southwestern Ontario – The Windsor to Lakeshore Transmission Project

The Government of Ontario has recently published its Integrated Energy Plan, Energy For Generations: Ontario’s Integrated Plan to Power the Strongest Economy in the G7 (the Plan), which outlines the actions being proposed or taken by the provincial government to meet the challenge of generating and delivering the affordable, secure, reliable and clean energy Ontarians need. The Plan highlights electricity transmission projects that should proceed with early planning and development work to alleviate existing transmission bottlenecks identified by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in their ongoing regional and bulk planning studies.

Consistent with this plan, and based on recommendations of the IESO, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (ministry) is proposing to take action to facilitate the development of a new transmission project that would enhance the electricity system connections in southern Ontario. The current proposal relates to a new transmission line between Windsor and Lakeshore:

• A double circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line from Lauzon Transformer Station (TS) in Windsor to Lakeshore TS in Lakeshore, and associated station facilities.

The proposed action, subject to fulfillment of applicable consultation obligations, including Duty to Consult and receiving required approvals, builds on previous actions taken to ensure that this line could be developed on time. In February 2022, the IESO published its Windsor-Essex Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP) Addendum. This study indicated that transmission reinforcements between Windsor and Lakeshore may be required in the near-term depending on the rate of load growth, where new generation capacity is sited, and the amount of imported electricity required. To ensure the timely development of this project in the event of high-growth conditions, the ministry took action through an Order in Council and Minister’s directive to the OEB dated March 31^st, 2022, designating Hydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro One) as the transmitter for this project. This provided Hydro One the regulatory clarity needed to initiate pre-development work on the project, including undertaking early engagement with the public and early consultations with potentially impacted Indigenous communities (see ERO Decision: 019-4926, in the Related Notices section). Furthermore, Hydro One’s First Nation Equity Partnership Model, launched in 2022, offers First Nations the opportunity to advance the project together in partnership and a 50% equity stake in new transmission lines exceeding $100 million. This model is expected to advance reconciliation by creating economic opportunities for First Nation communities, such as equity participation, procurement opportunities, and jobs.     

The IESO has recently completed another round of regional planning in the Windsor-Essex region, with the publication of the latest IRRP on April 3, 2025. This study confirms the need for the Windsor to Lakeshore Transmission Project, concluding that the most cost-effective solution is to connect at the Lauzon TS to meet regional capacity needs that will emerge in 2032.

Our proposed action for public feedback is as follows:

Prioritizing the Windsor to Lakeshore Transmission Project

To support the anticipated demand growth in the region the ministry is proposing to bring forward an Order in Council that would, subject to fulfillment of applicable consultation obligations, including Duty to Consult and receiving required approvals, declare the Windsor to Lakeshore Transmission Project, recommended to be in-service by 2032, a priority project under s. 96.1 (1) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (OEBA):

a) The Windsor to Lakeshore Transmission Line – a double circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line from Lauzon TS in Windsor to Lakeshore TS in Lakeshore, and associated station facilities.

Per s. 96.1 (2) of the OEBA, this declaration would require the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), the provincial economic regulator of the energy sector, to accept that the line is needed when assessing whether the project is in the public interest as part of its Leave to Construct review process. This would streamline the OEB’s review and prevent delays to ensure that the project is brought online on time. The OEB would still be required to consider the interests of electricity consumers with respect to project costs and the reliability and quality of electricity service.

Declaring the Windsor to Lakeshore Transmission Line a priority project would not impact the requirement for the transmitter to obtain all required government approvals, including under the Environmental Assessment Act and obtaining Leave to Construct from the OEB. These approvals include requirements for the transmitter to consult with Indigenous communities, the public, and stakeholders on the proposed project.  

Consultation with Indigenous Communities on this Proposal:

The provincial Crown is committed to fulfilling its duty to consult with Indigenous communities in respect of its conduct that may have the potential to adversely impact Aboriginal and treaty rights protected under Section 35 of Canada’s Constitution Act, 1982 (s. 35 rights).  The ministry will provide information about the proposed transmission project and the above policy to potentially impacted Indigenous communities, including information about how they can participate in the consultation process at this early stage of project development.

This would include an opportunity to review and provide comments about this proposal through the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO), as well as targeted consultation opportunities for potentially impacted Indigenous communities to share their input about the proposed action and any potential for impacts to s. 35 rights directly with ministry staff.

In addition, should the proposal move forward, the province expects to delegate the procedural aspects of Crown consultation to Hydro One, the transmitter, in respect of the transmission line, which may also be fulfilled through the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks’ (MECP) environmental approvals and other provincial regulatory approvals and/or permits as appropriate.

Timing:

Depending on the outcomes of consultation, including consultation with Indigenous communities, the ministry anticipates bringing this proposal forward for a possible decision later in 2025, to ensure the transmission line identified above can meet the IESO‘s recommended in-service date.

Environmental Impact:

Like all infrastructure projects, transmission projects have the potential to impact land (e.g., impacts to farmland) local environments and ecosystems, such as watersheds. These proposed actions do not impact the requirement for the transmitter to obtain all required government permits and approvals, including under the Environmental Assessment Act, prior to proceeding with the project’s construction. These approvals include requirements for the transmitter to consult with Indigenous communities, the public, and stakeholders on the proposed project, including in the determination of the exact path of the line, its impacts to the environment, and any appropriate mitigation measures. 

Building transmission infrastructure is essential for maintaining Ontario’s affordable, secure, reliable and clean energy advantage. Success in achieving these objectives could have significant positive impacts on the environment.