Ontario has approved a long term plan to expand Toronto’s electricity transmission system, including a $1.5 billion underwater power line linking the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station to downtown and eastern Toronto. The project, the first underwater transmission line in the province, will deliver 900 megawatts of clean energy to meet rising demand.
Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said Toronto’s current grid is expected to reach capacity in the 2030s, warning that inaction could delay housing, transit expansion, and major infrastructure projects while putting jobs and investment at risk. The new line is expected to supply enough electricity to power about 900,000 homes, with a competitive procurement process planned to manage costs.
The Independent Electricity System Operator recommended the underwater option to improve resilience against extreme weather events that have previously caused costly power outages. Targeted for completion by 2037, the project is expected to strengthen grid reliability and support Toronto’s long term growth.
