Ontario Construction News staff writer
Hydro One has reached the halfway point on a project to upgrade critical infrastructure at its Orangeville Transmission Station and improve power reliability and resiliency for residential, commercial and industrial customers in Orangeville, Caledon and the surrounding areas.
The company has replaced two transformers at the station with construction underway to change two others that have been in operation since the 1960s. Hydro One is investing in its infrastructure to continue to provide clean and reliable energy to some of the region’s most critical institutions.
“Hydro One proudly energizes life for Orangeville Hydro, the surrounding community and community establishments including the Headwaters Health Care Centre and Hockley Valley Resort,” Hydro One executive-vice president Andrew Spencer said in a statement. “As families, businesses and communities begin to transition to a cleaner, low-carbon lifestyle, Hydro One will continue to make investments to prepare for our clean energy future.”
In fall 2021, Hydro One began construction to replace all four transformers at the station. Last year, two new transformers were installed and brought in-service, and a third unit is near completion. Hydro One expects that all work will be completed by the end of 2024.
“To meet our net-zero goals with initiatives that reduce our carbon footprint, like replacing street light fixtures with LED light bulbs, we need more reliable electricity infrastructure,” said Lisa Post, Orangeville mayor. “Our community is growing quickly, and our need for clean electricity is growing with it. I’m excited that Hydro One is making investments to support our community for generations to come.”
Much of Ontario’s electricity system was built in the 1950s. Over the next five years, Hydro One will continue to invest in the electricity system to reduce the impacts of power outages, renew and replace critical infrastructure, enable economic growth and prepare for climate change.
“I’m thrilled to see that Hydro One is taking a proactive step to renew critical, aging infrastructure within its systems that Ontarians rely on,” said Todd Smith, minister of energy. “These investments position Ontario as a leader in Canada’s energy sector and help attract economic opportunities to the province.”