VW in St. Thomas: One mega-factory, one big proposal to power it

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As auto giant Volkswagen builds out its $7-billion electric vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas, Ontario’s provincial power distributor is closing in on a massive new power line for what will become North America’s largest EV factory. LFP reporter Brian Williams looks at what Hydro One has in mind for the project.

THE BIG PICTURE

The proposed transmission line will provide energy to the colossal VW electric vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas that’s expected to open in 2027. The 186,000-metre-square (two million-square-foot) factory is expected to employ about 3,000 workers and lead to thousands more spinoff jobs.

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THE PROPOSED LINE

Extending from an existing transmission line north of the Hwy. 401 in London, the 18-kilometre line would run to a planned transformer station in St. Thomas to power the VW plant that will be the largest electric vehicle battery factory on the continent. The 230-kilovolt line would provide 380 megawatts of electricity, enough to power a city the size of Windsor. Although Hydro One is still working on the line’s design and seeking public feedback, it will likely be an overhead line, said Kathleen McCorriston, Hydro One’s vice-president of portfolio management. Once approved, Hydro One would build the line and PowerCo, a VW subsidiary, would fund its construction.

THE PREFERRED ROUTE

Hydro One outlined three possible routes from the location in London, ultimately deciding on “Route 3.” McCorriston said it would “best protect the natural environment and reduce or minimize disruption to residents and business owners.” McCorriston said the route goes through agricultural land but affects the fewest number of residential properties, landowners and at-risk species. The proposed route extends south from London, not exactly in a straight line, starting at Innovation Park in London. It would cross the 401 about half a kilometre west of Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and then go south along Old Victoria Road, crossing Wilton Grove Road, Glanworth Drive and Ferguson and Ron McNeil lines. It would connect to Hydro One’s proposed Yarmouth Yards Industrial Park in St. Thomas, then into a planned transformer station.

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REJECTED ROUTES

Two other routes were considered for the power line. The study area considered creeks, developed areas, highways, railway tracks and other transmission lines to provide a range of potential route options. After feedback and data collection, Hydro One determined Route 3 best met its criteria.

THE TIMELINE

Several hurdles remain yet, but Hydro One aims for the power line to be completed in 2027, the same year VW’s plant is expected to open.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The next step planned by Hydro One includes two open houses in November and then a release of a draft environmental study report for public review and comment next spring. After that, Hydro One will submit a final environmental study report and complete an environmental assessment process. Once approvals are finalized, it’s expected construction would begin in late 2025.

MORE INFORMATION

Want more details? You can contact Hydro One at community.relations@hydroone.com or go to hydroone.com/stthomasline. Open houses for the public about the proposed high-voltage line will be held Nov. 13, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Belmont arena and community centre, at 14020 Belmont Rd. in Belmont, and Nov. 14 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Anne’s Parish Centre at 20 Morrison Dr. in St. Thomas.

bwilliams@postmedia.com
@BrianWatLFPress

The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada

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