Transmission InterConnect Investment Strategy
Sector
Electricity
Location
All of Canada
Sector
Electricity
Location
All of Canada
Description
Canada’s electricity needs are expected to grow significantly, with demand estimated to double by 2050 as we work toward a net-zero future. Meeting this demand will require major investments to expand and upgrade our electricity systems.
Globally, interconnected electricity networks have shown they can save billions of dollars each year by improving efficiency, reducing energy production costs, and making better use of renewable energy sources. By building a stronger, more connected electricity system, Canada can achieve reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for all.
The Transmission InterConnect Investment Strategy will identify high priority transmission projects, as well as possible financial solutions to help them move forward. The Strategy will focus on interties and high value intra-provincial transmission lines like the North Coast Transmission Line, which was previously referred to the MPO.
This strategy could include interties between provinces or territories, or intra-provincial transmission which unlocks new sources of electricity or meaningful economic growth.
Benefits
- Building and reinforcing Canada’s electricity infrastructure is an investment in our future and an enabler for economic growth and clean energy generation.
- Larger, more interconnected grids provide multiple benefits: they enhance resilience, take advantage of geographic and time zone differences to provide better load balances, and lower system costs by avoiding the need for each province and territory to invest in duplicative or redundant capacity.
- Investing in robust transmission infrastructure ensures access to abundant, affordable, and reliable electricity across Canada, which is essential for competitiveness, energy security, and economic sovereignty. By supporting projects under this strategy, Canada can enable sustainable growth, unlock long-term economic potential, create new trade opportunities, strengthen national security and sovereignty, and secure prosperity for future generations.
- Global examples of interconnected electricity markets point to billions of dollars in annual cost savings from system optimization, lower energy production costs, better reliability, including during extreme weather events, and optimized renewable integration.
Latest updates
- On May 14, 2025, this transformative strategy was referred to the Major Projects Office (MPO).
- The MPO will work with Natural Resources Canada, as well as other federal departments, other levels of government, industry, as well as Indigenous Peoples, to identify high priority transmission projects and coordinate ways to help them move forward faster.
- The MPO will also work with Crown corporations to ensure the right long-term funding mechanisms are in place to build out Canada’s transmission systems while supporting electricity affordability.
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