The Ontario government is accelerating construction of the Greenstone Transmission Line, a 230 kilometre electricity project designed to support economic growth, reduce diesel reliance and unlock mineral development in northern Ontario.
The line will run from the existing East West Tie near Nipigon Bay to a new switching station near Aroland, creating a new energy corridor capable of supporting future expansion. Once completed, the project is expected to provide capacity for an additional 350 to 700 megawatts of clean power, including hydroelectric generation.
The province says the project will create more than 7,000 jobs and form a key piece of infrastructure needed to advance development in the Ring of Fire. Electricity demand in northern Ontario is forecast to increase by more than 80 per cent by 2050, driven by mining, housing growth and electrification initiatives.
Ontario has designated the transmission line as a priority project, issuing regulatory directives intended to reduce delays and provide certainty for construction. Hydro One has been named the transmitter responsible for building the line.
The project includes a partnership model that allows Indigenous communities to hold up to 50 per cent ownership through Hydro One’s First Nations Equity Partnership Model, giving communities a direct role in decision making and long term revenue generation.
The Greenstone Transmission Line is part of Ontario’s Integrated Energy Plan, which emphasizes new transmission infrastructure to support economic development while strengthening domestic supply chains. Officials say keeping energy investments within Canada helps protect jobs, stabilize the grid and position Ontario as a reliable supplier of critical minerals needed for global clean energy transitions.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
