New hydro transmission line proposed through Puslinch

PUSLINCH – Hydro One is planning to install a new transformer station and transmission line in Puslinch Township and is holding two public meetings to relay information and collect feedback before it finalizes the transmission route.

Sonny Karunakaran, Hydro One’s vice president of strategic projects and partnerships, said in a phone interview the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has identified that increased electricity capacity is needed in Cambridge, Guelph and Wellington County.

IESO plans the electricity grid and Hydro One provides transmission and distribution across the province.

So Hydro One is proposing to build a new transformer station on property it owns in Puslinch, south of Highway 401 at the corner of Concession Roads 2 and 7, and run a transmission line from there to the existing transformer station in Cambridge.

“It will increase capacity and reliability,” Karunakaran said.

With new growth planned  –  homes, schools, hospitals and industries, as well as more electric vehicles – demand is projected to increase by 133 per cent by 2045 and the system needs to be ready, he said.

The project should be complete in 2032 and is expected to provide 600 megawatts of capacity. 

Hydro One is seeking early input from Indigenous communities, residents, property owners, businesses, municipalities and other interested parties as part of the environmental assessment process. 

Officials already delegated to Puslinch council in March.

The public open houses are on Sept. 15 from 4 to 7pm at Hespeler Memorial Arena (640 Ellis Road in Cambridge) and Sept. 17 from 4 to 7pm at the Puslinch Community Centre (23 Brock Road South in Aberfoyle).

“It’s a good opportunity for members of the public to meet with the project team and learn details of the project and timelines,” Karunakaran said, adding there will also be maps of four potential routes for the transmission lines.

Once feedback is collected, it will be used along with information gathered in field studies to determine a preferred route.

Karunakaran said Hydro One will host a second round of public meetings to present the environmental assessment report and preferred route. 

That will likely happen next spring.

“It’s really important if people can make the time to come out,” he said. “Feedback is really important to us.”

Information about the project can also be found at hydroone.com/about/corporate-information/major-projects/waterloo-wellington-power-line and comments can be left there as well.