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News Releases
December 08, 2004
Brantford Power, Brant County Power to build joint transformer substation
BRANTFORD - Brantford Power Inc. and Brant County Power Inc. have reached a co-ownership agreement to construct and operate a transformer substation (TS station) to meet the growing demand for electricity in both communities. Bruce Poland, Chair, Brant County Power Inc., and Andy Molenaar, Vice-chair, Brantford Power Inc., announced the joint project today.
The Province has announced that distribution companies such as BPI will receive the third phase of their regulated rate of return due in 2005 on condition that they invest an amount equal to one year's incremental returns in conservation and demand management activities.
The TS station, which will complement services currently purchased from Hydro One, is scheduled for completion in December 2005. The exact location has not been determined but it is expected to be built in the area of northwest Brantford.
"The TS station is a major investment for both municipally-owned utilities but it is also a vote of confidence in our economic growth prospects," Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock said. "By working together we are able to provide an important long-term asset that will benefit residents and businesses in both Brantford and Brant County."
Brant County Mayor Ron Eddy said the joint project will allow the partners to share the costs and ensure efficiencies for the benefit of all electricity users. It is also in accordance with provincial government directives to avoid unnecessary duplication of assets.
Planning for the project began early in 2003 when Hydro One, the provincial electricity transmitter, announced that its Brant substation on Powerline Road had reached peak capacity. The substation services Hydro One's rural customers plus parts of the local distribution networks of Brantford Power and Brant County Power.
The new TS station, which will complement the services provided by Hydro One, is expected to cost approximately $9.5 million. The exact figure will depend on final engineering and construction designs. Brantford Power and Brant County Power will share construction and operating costs on a 5/8 - 3/8 basis.
The project will not affect municipal tax levels or local electricity charges to customers. Since 2000 a charge was placed on each utility's bills to pay for their portion of the Hydro One substation used to serve Brantford and Brant County. By constructing their own substation, that money will remain with the utilities to finance the project's construction, operation and ownership.
TS stations are used to "step down" electricity from the 115 kilovolts received from Hydro One to 27.6 kilovolts. Using dozens of smaller transformers on their local networks, Brantford Power and Brant County Power further step the voltage down to levels used by their industrial, commercial and residential customers.
For more information, please contact:
Andy Molenaar
Vice-Chair, Brantford Power
(519) 751-3522 |
Bruce Poland
Chair, Brant County Power
(519) 442-2215 |
George Mychailenko
CEO, Brantford Power
(519) 751-3522 |
Deborah Sleeth
CEO, Brant County Power
(519) 442-2215 |
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