COURTRIGHT, Ont. —The Ontario government has broken ground on the St. Clair Transmission Line, a $64-kilometre project officials say will secure energy supplies, fuel economic growth and support job creation across Southwestern Ontario.
The double-circuit 230-kilovolt line, to be built by Hydro One, will link Lambton County with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. The project includes expanding the Chatham Switching Station, upgrading the Lambton Transformer Station, and converting Wallaceburg’s Transformer Station to 230 kV. Completion is scheduled for 2028.
“Southwestern Ontario is thriving, and reliable energy is essential to keep that momentum going,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “The St. Clair Transmission Line will deliver the affordable, clean power our communities and businesses need to grow and stay competitive. This project is a major step forward in our government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a stronger, self-reliant energy system that creates jobs and powers our economy for generations to come.”
Rising Demand
The Windsor-Essex and Chatham regions are seeing some of the fastest growth in the province, driven by new electric vehicle and battery plants, greenhouse expansion and residential construction. Demand for electricity in the area is projected to exceed 2,300 megawatts over the next decade. Province-wide, consumption is expected to rise 75 per cent by 2050.
Hydro One says the St. Clair line will provide 450 MW of additional capacity — enough to power a city the size of Windsor. Without new infrastructure, officials warn that economic development could be hampered by delays in connecting new industries.
In 2022, the government directed Hydro One to begin development work following public and Indigenous consultations. Construction is expected to create about 70 jobs, with Forbes Bros. and Black & McDonald serving as contractor partners.
Local and Industry Reactions
Local representatives praised the project as critical to the region’s future.
“Breaking ground on the St. Clair Transmission Line is an important step in securing Ontario’s energy security for our future,” said Bob Bailey, MPP for Sarnia-Lambton. “Lambton has significant history in producing and supplying energy for our province, I’m proud to see that tradition will continue for generations to come.”
Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex, emphasized community impact: “This project is great news for our community that will create jobs during construction, support future economic growth, and ensure our region remains well-positioned to attract new investment and opportunities.”
Jeff Agar, Mayor of St. Clair Township, said the project reflects Hydro One’s responsiveness. “With today’s groundbreaking we are closer to achieving our shared vision for a stronger more sustainable energy future for our region,” Agar said.
Hydro One Chief Operating Officer Megan Telford stressed the broader benefits: “With today’s groundbreaking we’re building more than infrastructure, we’re taking another step forward to help power the future for the region and province.”
Business leaders also voiced support. “The groundbreaking of the St. Clair Transmission Line is a major win for Sarnia-Lambton,” said Carrie McEachran, CEO of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. “Reliable electricity is key to powering local businesses, supporting new jobs, and fueling the growth of our community.”
Industry Commitment
Contractors and industry associations highlighted the long-term significance of the project.
“Forbes Bros. is proud to partner with Hydro One and our First Nation partners as construction gets underway,” said Matthew Forbes, CEO of Forbes Bros. Group of Companies.
The Ontario Energy Association called the line “a significant step forward,” while the Ontario Federation of Agriculture underscored its importance to farming. “To meet growing energy demands, this transmission line is essential to the success of Ontario’s agriculture sector in southwestern Ontario, where farming and food production are economic cornerstones,” said Drew Spoelstra, president of the OFA.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce echoed those sentiments, with president and CEO Daniel Tisch noting that “Reliable energy infrastructure is essential to Ontario’s economic growth and competitiveness.”
Executives from Black & McDonald and Atura Power also endorsed the investment as vital to the province’s energy future.
Energy for Generations
The project forms part of the government’s Energy for Generations plan, which builds on last year’s Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future policy paper. A pending bill — the Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act, 2025 — would provide additional legislative support for large-scale energy infrastructure.
Ontario currently operates more than 30,000 km of high-voltage transmission lines. The St. Clair project is intended to strengthen this network while giving communities and industries confidence to expand in the province.
“With a clear path forward, the plan is not only meeting the demands of today, but it is protecting jobs, supporting workers and powering economic growth for generations to come,” the province said in its announcement.
