Niagara

The second regional electricity planning cycle in Niagara was completed with the release of an Integrated Regional Resource Plan (IRRP) and the supporting Appendices in December 2022. The electricity plan identifies sustained regional growth in specific pockets including in West Lincoln, Lincoln, Welland, Thorold, and Niagara Falls, driving emerging station capacity, supply capacity, asset replacement, and load security needs. To accommodate load growth, maintain reliability, and optimize asset replacement, the plan recommends a package of solutions – with key recommendations being:

Load transfers from Beamsville Transformer Station (TS) and a new or expanded 230 kV station in the Lincoln/West Lincoln area with a target in service date of 2026-2027;
Replacement of 115 kV Crowland TS in the City of Welland with a larger 230 kV station and new ~18 km 230 kV transmission lines running south between Welland and Thorold with a target in service date of 2028;
Upgrade of an existing circuit and implementation of a control actions to manage the load in the Niagara Region, to be implemented starting in 2024; and,
Ongoing monitoring of growth and exploring opportunities for targeted conservation and demand management, particularly in areas with near-term needs until transmission reinforcements are in-service.

Community Engagement

The IESO engaged with local and regional communities to seek input to help inform planning activities. Learn more about engagement on the current planning cycle.

Regional Planning in Niagara

The first IRRP for Niagara Region was completed following a Scoping Assessment Outcome Report and Terms of Reference that identified the need for a more comprehensive planning approach to develop a 20-year electricity plan for the region.

The previous planning cycle was completed in 2017 following the assessment of needs by the local transmitter (Hydro One) for this region and found that there were no needs that required regional coordination.

For more information, see Regional Planning Process.

Area Overview

For regional planning purposes, the Niagara region includes the City of Port Colborne, City of Welland, City of Thorold, City of Niagara Falls, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, City of St. Catharines, Town of Fort Erie, Town of Lincoln, Township of West Lincoln, Town of Grimsby, Township of Wainfleet, and Town of Pelham. Haldimand County had also been included in the needs assessment for the Niagara region.

The local distribution companies providing service to customers in the Niagara region include: