Markham, ON – Alectra Utilities’ systems are facing significant pressures due to increased customer demand and growth. Alectra is making a multi-year investment of over $5M to repair, protect, and extend underground cable life by up to 20 years.
The cable injection process avoids significant costs and service disruptions, while minimizing the impacts on the environment. Rather than dig up and replace underground cables, a silicone-based injection is used to fill in weak spots, forces out moisture and hardens cables to prevent further deterioration.
For every kilometre of cable injection, Alectra avoids approximately 13 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To date, Alectra has injected more than 820 km of underground cable across its service territories, avoiding over 10,000 tonnes of GHG emissions.
“Delivering safe and reliable electricity to our customers is our top priority” said Mike Matthews, Executive Vice President, Asset Strategy and Operations, Alectra. “We are committed to investing in new technologies that will not only help prevent power outages but also minimize environmental impacts, while offering a lower-cost alternative for our customers.”
In total, these projects will improve reliability for Markham residential and commercial customers across nine main areas in Markham:
- Hwy 7 - Warden - 14th - Woodbine
- Hwy 7 -McCowan - 14th - Old Kennedy
- 14th - Old Kennedy - Steeles - Warden
- Markham - Steeles - McCowan - 14th
- Hwy 7 - Markham - 9th - 14th
- 16th - Markham - 9th - Hwy 7
- Hwy 7 - Markham - 14th - McCowan
- Major Mackenzie - 9th - 16th - Hwy 48
- Woodbine and 14th Ave
Alectra has allocated approximately $300M in 2022 for capital improvements across its service territory in 2022 which includes system renewal projects. That’s approximately $1 million per day to renew aging equipment and install new infrastructure to handle growing demand.
Alectra Utilities is investing in the electricity grid across all 17 communities it serves to support growth and provide safe and reliable service. Learn more about our commitment to reliability at alectrautilities.com/improving-reliability.
About Alectra Utilities
Serving more than one million homes and businesses in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions.
Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow’s energy future.
Media Contact
Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson ashley.trgachef@alectrautilities.com | Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1-833-MEDIA-LN