The Seaton Municipal Transformer Station Number 1 (Seaton TS) is scheduled to commence operations in December 2022. This is the first municipal transformer station wholly owned and operated by Elexicon Energy and will provide connection capacity for renewable energy resources to the community.
The story of the Seaton TS began in 2010 when stakeholders were creating the vision for the new Seaton Community in Pickering, near Brock and Taunton Roads. This is a master-plan development with 20,000 new homes under construction, as well as anticipated commercial and industrial customers.
While Elexicon Energy had infrastructure in the area, it was clear that a new transmission facility would be needed to serve the growing population. The local distribution company worked with the City of Pickering and developers to assess electrical requirements for the area and produce a comprehensive business case. When the research was complete, Elexicon Energy determined that constructing its own fully owned and operated transformer was the most cost-effective way to power the new development.
CONSULTATIONS WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
When selecting the location for the Seaton TS, Elexicon Energy conducted an extensive environmental assessment in consultation with ten Indigenous communities with historical connections to the project area.
There were three potential locations considered for the transformer station, chosen in part for their optimal connection points with Hydro One’s transmission network. The site for the transformer was ultimately selected based on a combined consideration of cost, technical requirements, and environmental impacts – including potential archeological concerns of First Nations communities such as the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) located near Port Perry.
Click here to read Elexicon Energy feature cover story in the winter issue of The Distributor.