Alectra Utilities has announced an investment of $11.45 million in capital renewal projects aimed at enhancing the reliability and meeting the growing energy needs of the City of Barrie.
As the city continues to expand, Alectra said it is committed to upgrading and modernizing the electricity infrastructure to ensure consistent and dependable service for both residential and commercial customers.
“The safety and reliability of electricity delivery to our customers is our highest priority,” Chris Hudson, senior vice-president of operations at Alectra, said in a news release.
“By investing in innovative technologies and modernizing our infrastructure, we are not only reducing the risk of power outages but also enhancing the resilience of Barrie’s energy grid to support future growth and development.”
In 2023, Alectra achieved what it described an "outstanding" reliability record, with customers experiencing an average of just one outage per year and less than one hour without power annually.
This performance positions Alectra as a leader in reliability among Ontario’s local distribution companies, the company said.
In 2024, Alectra said it plans to implement several key projects in Barrie, including:
- $3.6 million to replace aging infrastructure, such as poles, transformers, and switchgear. Modernizing these elements will help minimize disruptions and enhance the reliability of Barrie’s energy grid for all customers.
- $3.4 million to replace and rehabilitate underground cables through cable injection technology. This process will extend the life of existing underground cables, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help prevent outages.
- $3.5 million to connect new customers, accommodating Barrie’s growth and development.
- $700,000 to modernize substations by replacing outdated controllers with automated switches. Upgrading these substations will expedite restoration efforts during disruptions and further strengthen the resilience of Barrie’s grid.
- $250,000 to deploy new automated devices across the network, enabling swift responses to grid disturbances, optimizing performance and minimizing the impact of potential disruptions on the community.
Alectra has allocated approximately $297 million in 2024 for capital improvements across its 17 communities to renew aging equipment and install new infrastructure to handle growing demand.
For further information on Alectra’s grid enhancement projects and initiatives, visit Alectra Utilities Improving Reliability.
