Minister's directive

To: The Ontario Energy Board

I, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, hereby direct the Ontario Energy Board (“Board”) pursuant to section 28.6.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 as follows:

  1. The Board shall amend the conditions of the electricity transmission licence of Hydro One Networks Inc. (“Hydro One”) to include a requirement that Hydro One proceed to do the following related to the construction, expansion or reinforcement of its transmission system:
    1. Develop and seek approvals for the following transmission line projects:
      1. A new 500-kilovolt transmission line from Essa Transformer Station to Hanmer Transformer Station, including associated station facility expansions or upgrades required at the terminal stations;
      2. A second new 500-kilovolt transmission line from Essa Transformer Station to Hanmer Transformer Station, including associated station facility expansions or upgrades required at the terminal stations;
    2. The scope and timing for the transmission line projects listed in sub-paragraph i above shall accord with the recommendations of the IESO.
  2. The Board shall require that Hydro One provide such reporting to the Board as the Board may consider appropriate, with respect to budget, timing, and risks in relation to the development of the transmission line projects listed in sub-paragraph 1.i.
  3. The Board shall make the amendments to Hydro One’s electricity transmission licence without holding a hearing.

Order in Council 1661/2025