Hydro One

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Hydro One Incorporated delivers electricity across the Canadian province of Ontario. It is a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Ontario.

Hydro One traces its history to the early 20th century to the establishment of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, renamed as "Ontario Hydro" in 1974.

In October, 1998 the provincial government passed the "Energy Competition Act" which restructured Ontario Hydro with the aim of privatizing all electrical generating and transmission/delivery.

Contents

1 System Information
2 Restructuring
3 References
4 External links

System Information

Hydro One's Transmission Line voltages are 500,000 volts, 230,000 volts and 115,000 volts. Hydro One has interconnections with Manitoba Hydro, Hydro Quebec, Minnesota Power, Detroit Edison, Niagara Mohawk Power and the New York Power Authority.

Restructuring

Ontario Hydro was restructured on April 1, 1999 into five separate entities: Ontario Power Generation, the Ontario Hydro Services Company, the Independent Electricity Market Operator (later renamed the Independent Electricity System Operator), the Electrical Safety Authority, and Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation.

On May 1, 2000 the Ontario Hydro Services Company was renamed Hydro One Incorporated and reorganized as a holding company with five subsidiaries:

Hydro One Networks Inc.
Hydro One Remote Communities Inc.
Hydro One Markets Inc.
Hydro One Telecom Inc.
Ontario Hydro Energy Inc.

Between 1998 to 2000, Hydro One acquired 88 municipal electrical utilities. Numerous local/municipal distribution companies were also consolidated during this time. Hydro One's master control facility is located at 49 Sarjeant Drive, in Barrie.

In December 2001 the provincial government announced the intention to sell Hydro One under an initial public offering, however by April 2002 various groups in opposition to the plan were able to successfully challenge the government in the Supreme Court of Ontario, forcing a halt to the IPO.

In May 2002 the provincial government went ahead with the launch of an open electricity market, even though generating and distribution were remaining under control of the government.

References

[2005 Annual Report (PDF)]

External links

[Hydro One]
[History Timeline] produced by Hydro One
[Hydro One annual reports] available from 2000-2005

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