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Hydro One to invest almost $100 million over five years to strengthen electricity infrastructure for the growing Ottawa region

Ottawa, ON, February 27, 2019 – Today, Hydro One announced plans to invest almost $100 million in significant infrastructure upgrades to support growth in the Ottawa region and replace end-of-life equipment.

Over the next five years, Hydro One plans to improve its high-voltage electricity transmission service and ensure public safety in the greater Ottawa area through upgrading two transmission lines, replacing aging equipment at six transmission stations and performing tree removals and trimming along five transmission lines. 

“Hydro One plans to invest in the growing Ottawa region with a goal to minimize power outages and keep the public safe,” said Jason Fitzsimmons, Chief Corporate Affairs and Customer Care Officer, Hydro One. “A strong and reliable high-voltage transmission system is the backbone of a flourishing economy. Since much of the system was built in the 1950s, we need to repair, replace and upgrade equipment in almost every community across the province.”

This year, Hydro One will be focused on:

  • A joint project with Hydro Ottawa to upgrade a transmission line in south Nepean to double the capacity. 
  • Line upgrades between Hawthorne Transmission Station and Merivale Transmission Station to support growth west of Ottawa.
  • Tree removals and trimming along five transmission corridors to reduce power outages and keep the public safe.

Hydro One employees have also been working for several months to complete repairs and replace critical equipment at the Merivale Transmission Station, including a transformer, poles and towers damaged by a tornado in September 2018. The station is now fully operational following the $10 million repair effort.

Hydro One remains committed to notifying and engaging with communities on ongoing projects. Hydro One’s investment plan is subject to review and approval from the Ontario Energy Board.

About Hydro One Inc.:

 Hydro One Inc. is a fully owned subsidiary of Hydro One Limited, Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with almost 1.4 million valued customers, over C$26.4 billion in assets and 2018 annual revenues of over C$6.2 billion. Our team of approximately 8,600 skilled and dedicated employees proudly build and maintain a safe and reliable electricity system which is essential to supporting strong and successful communities. In 2018, Hydro One invested almost $1.6 billion in its 30,000 circuit km of high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit km of primary distribution networks and injected approximately $1.3 billion into the economy by buying goods and services in Ontario. We are committed to the communities where we live and work through community investment, sustainability and diversity initiatives. We are one of only six utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Electricity Company designation from the Canadian Electricity Association. Through Hydro One Telecom Inc.'s extensive fibre optic network, we also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis. Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H).

Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Words such as "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "attempt", "may", "plan", "will", "can", "believe", "seek", "estimate", and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro One's filings with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Hydro One does not intend, and it disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking information, except as required by law.