Hydro One Networks has filed an application with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to build a major transmission line in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Once built, the St. Clair transmission line would be a double-circuit, 230 -kilovolt transmission line that runs between Lambton Transmission Station (TS) in St. Clair Township and Chatham Switching Station (SS) in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

The project is valued at $471.9 million.

"Today marks an exciting milestone for this critical investment and moves us closer to getting shovels in the ground," said Sonny Karunakaran, Vice President, Strategic Projects and Partnerships, Hydro One. "The St. Clair project is one of five new transmission lines that, once built, will help meet the needs of new and growing industries and continue to attract jobs to the region for years to come."

According to the Independent Electricity System Operator's Southwest Ontario Bulk planning report, demand for energy in southwest Ontario is expected to reach a demand of 2,300 MW by 2035.

The St. Clair Transmission Line is part of a network of electricity infrastructure projects that will support reliability and resiliency of the electricity grid for farmers, residents, businesses and new industries that are making southwest Ontario their home. The project is expected to provide an additional 450 megawatts of power to the region, which is approximately enough clean energy to power a city the size of London.

"I commend Hydro One for their dedication to sustainable energy solutions and pledge our community's full support for this endeavour," said Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff. "This project symbolizes our collective commitment to advancing our energy infrastructure while prioritizing the needs and well-being of our residents."

As part of the project, Hydro One has offered five First Nations in the region 50 percent equity ownership in the transmission line component of the project and is committed to working to advance the project in partnership.

Filing a leave to construct application under Section 92 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, is a requirement for Ontario electricity transmitters to obtain approval from the OEB to construct, expand, or reinforce electricity transmission or interconnections. Hydro One’s application provides details of the project, such as timing, route, design and cost.

The utility completed the project’s Class Environmental Assessment in February.