Hydro One has been selected by the Ontario government to build a new high-voltage power line between Sudbury and the Barrie area to improve electricity reliability for residents in Bracebridge, Ontario. The project will involve a 500-kilovolt transmission line that stretches roughly 300 kilometres to help meet the growing demand for power in the region. The line is expected to be finished and in service by 2032.
The Ontario Energy Board officially named the project a priority on February 10, 2026, allowing the work to move forward. This new infrastructure is being developed in partnership with local First Nations, who are being offered a 50 per cent ownership stake in the transmission line portion of the project.
The need for more power is driven by a massive increase in demand, including up to 40 new mines that are expected to open in northern Ontario by 2033. To help with local needs in the shorter term, Hydro One is also planning to replace a large transformer at the Bracebridge Transformer Station with a new unit by the end of 2026.
While Lakeland Power Distribution Ltd. continues to provide electricity to local homes and businesses, this new provincial line is designed to strengthen the entire regional grid. The company will hold community meetings in the future to share more specific timelines and hear from residents about where the new power line should be located.
