Hydro One has announced that it will spend more than $10 million to augment its transmission infrastructure and improve power resiliency and reliability in Orillia and across Simcoe County.

The company made the announcement on July 12. Its plans include replacing a transformer that is nearing the end of its life. While that work is underway, the utility will re-configure its Orillia Transmission Station to connect to a Mobile Transformer Unit (MTU) to ensure back-up power is available to the community in the case of an extended outage.

As part of the investment, Hydro One installed two smart switches last year along critical transmissions lines that run from Barrie to Minden to minimize the duration of power outages.  The upgrades will provide grid control-centre operators with the ability to remotely control electrical equipment and restore power to customers faster.

Hydro One also plans to replace insulators next year along 400 structures that were originally installed in the 1950s and 1960s.

“With storms getting increasingly stronger, Hydro One is investing in building a grid for the future in order to support local businesses, residents and the economy. We are preparing our equipment and stations for the impacts of climate change,” said COO David Lebeter. “Upgrades at Orillia Transmission Station and area transmission lines will energize life for customers and improve power reliability and resiliency for years to come.”                        

“Not that long ago, we welcomed the Hydro One family to the Sunshine City and we are proud to have them as part of our community,” said Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke. “As the City of Orillia works with our community partners to address the challenges of climate change, investments such as this infrastructure update from Hydro One are critical.”