Power networks/Canada/Ontario
This page is dedicated for the mapping of power-related infrastructure in Ontario.
Background
The Ontario power grid uses transmission voltages also used in nearby provinces (except Quebec) and U.S. states. Distribution lines are usually 8.0/13.8 and 14.4/25 kV, but 2.4/4.16 kV systems remains in large cities like Toronto and Ottawa.
The Ontario grid is mostly operated by Hydro One; distribution is operated by various regional and local hydro companies in addition to Hydro One. The grid connects with the U.S. grid, Manitoba Hydro's Manitoba grid and Hydro-Québec's Quebec grid.
In Ontario, electric power is often spoken of as "hydro", regardless of source. Power lines are referred to as "hydro lines", transmission towers as "hydro towers", power poles as "hydro poles" and transmission corridors (e.g. those in Greater Toronto) as "hydro corridors".
All existing power lines in Ontario presently mapped can be seen in Open Infrastructure Map
Voltages
| Voltage | Network | Notes | Appearance | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 kV | Transmission | Used on the backbone of the transmission network. | Single- and double-circuit tower carrying bundled conductors |  
|
| 230 kV | The vast majority of Ontario's hydro lines. | Lattice towers, steel tube towers or H-frames. | ||
| 115 kV | Transmission and subtransmission | Used across most of the province. Feeds 25 kV distribution networks. | Smaller lattice towers with one ground line, or H-frames. | .jpg)
|
| 44 kV | Subtransmission | Used on some rural networks in parts of Southern and Eastern Ontario. Feeds 13.8 kV distribution networks. | Taller wood poles or H-frames. | |
| 14.4/25 kV | Distribution | Common distribution voltage in Ontario, mostly fed by the 115 kV network. | Ordinary sized poles in suburban or rural areas and back alleys, or underground cables. Lines carrying multiple circuits may not be obvious from aerial imagery. In most of southern Ontario, poles often have insulators directly mounted onto them. 25 and 13.8 kV systems are generally looped, with many single-phase or three-phase branches and backup connections from other substations provided by open disconnector switches at the end of feeders. |
 
|
| 8.0/13.8 kV | Distribution voltage used in networks fed by 44 kV lines. | |||
| 2.4/4.16 kV | Legacy voltage used by Toronto Hydro and Hydro Ottawa. | |||
| 120/240 V split-phase, 120/208 V three-phase, 347/600 V three-phase | Standard voltage for end customers. These voltages are supplied by a pole-mounted transformer (in rural area or back alleys) or pad-mount transformer (in cities). |
Operators
For transmission lines and facilities in Ontario, Hydro One can be assumed unless marked otherwise. For distribution lines and facilities, refer to the list below, which also provides service areas (this can include surrounding rural areas, not just the city or town limits), otherwise use also Hydro One (which does provide distribution elsewhere in the province).
- Alectra (Aurora, Alliston, Barrie, Beeton, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Brampton, Guelph, Hamilton, Markham, Mississauga, Penetanguishene, Richmond Hill, Rockwood, St. Catharines, Thornton, Tottenham, Vaughan)
- Algoma Power (Algoma)
- Canadian Niagara Electric (Fort Erie, Port Colborne)
- Cornwall Electric (Cornwall, South Glengarry, South Stormont, Akwesasne)
- Elexicon Energy (Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Belleville, Bowmanville, Gravenhurst, Uxbridge, Scugog)
- Energy+ (Cambridge, North Dumfries, Brantford)
- Enova Power (Kitchener, Waterloo, Woolwich, Wilmot, Wellesley)
- EPCOR (Collingwood, Stayner, Creemore, Thornbury)
- Festival Hydro (Stratford, St. Mary's, Seaforth, Hensall, Brussels, Zurich, Dashwood)
- Greater Sudbury Hydro (Sudbury, West Nipissing)
- Hydro Ottawa (Ottawa, Casselman)
- London Hydro (London)
- Oakville Hydro (Oakville)
- Synergy Power (Kenora, Thunder Bay)
- Toronto Hydro (Toronto)