OMERS Sells its Stake in East-West Tie Limited Partnership
Hydro One announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hydro One Networks Inc., has entered into an agreement to purchase an approximately 48 per cent interest in the East-West Tie Limited Partnership from affiliates of OMERS Infrastructure Management Inc. (OMERS) and Enbridge Transmission Holdings Inc. (Enbridge).
The East-West Tie Limited Partnership owns the East-West Tie Line, a 450-kilometre, 230 kV double-circuit transmission line, regulated by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), spanning from Wawa to Thunder Bay, along the north shore of Lake Superior.
Hydro One has agreed to purchase its interest in the partnership for $257 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments. The transaction results in a partnership with the remaining owners of the East-West Tie Line – the Bamkushwada Limited Partnership, a consortium of six First Nations, and affiliates of NextEra Energy Canada, LP who own approximately 3.5 per cent and 48 per cent respectively.
“Hydro One has a long history of owning and operating transmission infrastructure in northern Ontario,” said David Lebeter, president and CEO, Hydro One. “By investing in this critical transmission infrastructure, we not only support the reliable delivery of electricity but also contribute to the long-term economic opportunities and shared prosperity in the region.”
“We are very proud of our 12-year partnership with co-shareholders and our collaboration with First Nations to develop and operationalize the East-West Tie,” said Michael Hill, executive vice president and Global Head of OMERS Infrastructure. “Hydro One, a prominent Canadian company that already owns and operates more than 90 per cent of Ontario’s transmission network, was considered the best strategic partner to support the company’s continued reliable operations.”
“Enbridge is pleased to have participated alongside our partners in developing and bringing into service the East-West Tie project, with a focus on Indigenous inclusion and participation,” said Matthew Akman, executive vice president, Corporate Strategy and President, Power, Enbridge. “Enbridge has enjoyed a strong relationship with NextEra, OMERS and the Bamkushwada Limited Partnership and believe Hydro One’s experience and ownership of other Ontario transmission assets will provide value to the partnership.”
The East-West Tie Line was built in partnership with the Bamkushwada Limited Partnership, which is jointly owned by Fort William First Nation, Michipicoten First Nation, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation), Pays Plat First Nation, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert First Nation) and Red Rock Indian Band.
The line has an OEB-approved rate base of approximately $880 million (100 per cent basis) and connects northwest Ontario communities and industries to Ontario’s electricity grid. The transaction is conditional upon satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
CIBC Capital Markets acted as exclusive financial advisor and Gowling WLG acted as external legal counsel to Hydro One in connection with the transaction. TD Securities acted as exclusive financial advisor and Torys LLP acted as external legal counsel to OMERS and Enbridge in connection with the transaction.
Northern Ontario Business also reports Hydro One wins bid to build Wawa-Porcupine transmission line:
The province has decided who will build a 260-kilometre transmission line to boost Northern Ontario.
Hydro One won the bid to build the new Wawa-to-Porcupine transmission line, which is expected to go into service in 2030, the province announced Dec. 17. Hydro One has a 50-50 partnership with Wabun Tribal Council for the project.
“Our government is supporting the incredible growth in Timmins and across northeastern Ontario by accelerating the development of a new transmission line that will power new homes, businesses and mines,” said Stephen Lecce, minister of energy and electrification, in a news release.
“Our focus on ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy is key to ensuring business across the north remain competitive, especially as demand for Ontario’s responsibly sourced metals and critical minerals grows.”
The new line will run 260 kilometres from the Wawa Transformer Station south of the township to the Porcupine Transformer Station in Timmins.
Hydro One's site in Timmins is amid an $80-million upgrade to replace switches, system protection and telecommunication equipment. When the upgrades are finished — which is expected to be around 2026 — it's expected that there will be strengthened reliability and resiliency in the electricity network in Timmins and area.
The new transmission line project is one of the recommendations in an Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) report. It made suggestions to improve reliability for existing and future loads in the Timmins area, and increase power transfer capability from Sudbury to supply future loads in the Sault Ste. Marie area and northwest regions.
By 2025, the IESO predicts the electricity demand in northeastern Ontario will grow by 540 megawatts, which is a spike of 28 per cent. The forecast includes new mining developments and industrial loads in the region.
Timmins MPP and Minister of Mines George Pirie says the line is a critical step to power the future of Timmins and mining in the region.
“As Timmins continues to thrive as a key hub for mining and economic activity, ensuring greater access to clean and reliable energy is vital to meet the region’s increasing energy needs that will power the mines of tomorrow, which benefits all of Ontario," he said.
Wabun Tribal Council represents six Treaty 9 First Nations in Northern Ontario, and five of them — Mattagami, Brunswick House, Matachewan, Flying Post, and Chapleau Ojibwe — are involved in the project partnership.
"This project not only provides value to our communities as owners of renewable infrastructure but increases the transmission capacity in the Ontario hydro grid system that is desperately needed. We look forward to working with the Ministry of Energy and Electrification and other stakeholders as we plan and build the hydro line over the next four years," said Jason Batise, Wabun Tribal Council's executive director.
Wabun's bid for the project was backed by Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau, who also supported the competing bid by Transmission Infrastructure Partnerships 9 (TIP-9 coalition) that included Taykwa Tagamou Nation, Michipicoten First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation and Missanabie Cree First Nation.
Five Nations Energy also supported the Hydro One bid.
Boileau said the announcement allows the region to proactively plan.
"Access to a stable and reliable energy source will allow local businesses to remain competitive and support the increase in demand from supply chain growth and other target sector expansion," she said in the release.
And earlier today, Link2Build Ontario reports the province prioritizes construction of new northeastern transmission line:
The Ontario government has been the green light to Hydro One to seek all necessary approvals and build a new transmission line in Northeastern Ontario.
The new transmission line is scheduled to come into service in 2030 and will run approximately 260 kilometres from the Wawa Transformer Station to the Porcupine Transformer Station, located in the Timmins area.
“Our government is supporting the incredible growth in Timmins and across Northeastern Ontario by accelerating the development of a new transmission line that will power new homes, businesses and mines,” said Energy Minister Stephen Lecce. “Our focus on ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy is key to ensuring business across the north remain competitive, especially as demand for Ontario’s responsibly sourced metals and critical minerals grows.”
According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator, electricity demand in Northeastern Ontario is forecast to grow by 28 percent by 2035. This includes new mining developments and industrial loads.
To help meet this growing demand for energy, the government has issued an order-in-council declaring this new transmission line a provincial priority. This will streamline the Ontario Energy Board’s regulatory approval process for this line.
The new transmission line is a significant opportunity to build economic partnerships and advance reconciliation with First Nation and Métis communities, which is key to successful energy infrastructure development in the province.
Hydro One is working with Indigenous communities on early planning and partnership opportunities for the project, and First Nations have the opportunity to invest in a 50 percent equity stake in the transmission line component of the project once complete through Hydro One’s Equity Partnership model.
"On behalf of the Chiefs of the Wabun Tribal Council, we are so pleased with Ontario’s decision to award the Wawa-Porcupine Transmission Line project to our partnership with Hydro One,” said Executive Director Jason Batise. “This project not only provides value to our communities as owners of renewable infrastructure but also increases the transmission capacity in the Ontario hydro grid system that is desperately needed."
Last year, the province also announced two new transmission lines that will run between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury to help meet the growing demand for energy across Northeastern Ontario and power the production of green steel at Algoma Steel in Sault Ste Marie.
Last week, OMERS Infrastructure issued this press release on the deal to sell its stake in East-West Tie Limited Partnership:
Toronto, December 19, 2024 - Hydro One Limited (Hydro One) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hydro One Networks Inc., has entered into an agreement to purchase an approximately 48 per cent interest in the East-West Tie Limited Partnership from affiliates of OMERS Infrastructure Management Inc. (OMERS) and Enbridge Transmission Holdings Inc. (Enbridge). The East-West Tie Limited Partnership owns the East-West Tie Line, a 450-kilometre, 230 kV double-circuit transmission line, regulated by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), spanning from Wawa to Thunder Bay, along the north shore of Lake Superior.
Hydro One has agreed to purchase its interest in the partnership for $257 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments. The transaction results in a partnership with the remaining owners of the East-West Tie Line – the Bamkushwada Limited Partnership, a consortium of six First Nations, and affiliates of NextEra Energy Canada, LP who own approximately 3.5 per cent and 48 per cent respectively.
“Hydro One has a long history of owning and operating transmission infrastructure in northern Ontario,” said David Lebeter, President and CEO, Hydro One. “By investing in this critical transmission infrastructure, we not only support the reliable delivery of electricity but also contribute to the long-term economic opportunities and shared prosperity in the region.”
“We are very proud of our 12-year partnership with co-shareholders and our collaboration with First Nations to develop and operationalize the East-West Tie,” said Michael Hill, Executive Vice President and Global Head of OMERS Infrastructure. “Hydro One, a prominent Canadian company that already owns and operates more than 90 per cent of Ontario's transmission network, was considered the best strategic partner to support the company’s continued reliable operations.”
“Enbridge is pleased to have participated alongside our partners in developing and bringing into service the East-West Tie project, with a focus on Indigenous inclusion and participation,” said Matthew Akman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and President, Power, Enbridge. "Enbridge has enjoyed a strong relationship with NextEra, OMERS and the Bamkushwada Limited Partnership and believe Hydro One's experience and ownership of other Ontario transmission assets will provide value to the partnership."
The East-West Tie Line was built in partnership with the Bamkushwada Limited Partnership, which is jointly owned by Fort William First Nation, Michipicoten First Nation, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation), Pays Plat First Nation, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert First Nation) and Red Rock Indian Band.
The line has an OEB-approved rate base of approximately $880 million (100 per cent basis) and connects northwest Ontario communities and industries to Ontario’s electricity grid. The transaction is conditional upon satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
CIBC Capital Markets acted as exclusive financial advisor and Gowling WLG acted as external legal counsel to Hydro One in connection with the transaction. TD Securities acted as exclusive financial advisor and Torys LLP acted as external legal counsel to OMERS and Enbridge in connection with the transaction.
Alright, Christmas is right around the corner, another year blew by and will end on this OMERS deal which is a good one for OMERS, Hydro One and the province of Ontario which is prioritizing access to affordable and reliable energy.
As stated above, the East-West Tie Limited Partnership owns the East-West Tie Line, a 450-kilometre, 230 kV double-circuit transmission line, regulated by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), spanning from Wawa to Thunder Bay, along the north shore of Lake Superior.
It was built in partnership with the Bamkushwada Limited Partnership, which is jointly owned by Fort William First Nation, Michipicoten First Nation, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation), Pays Plat First Nation, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert First Nation) and Red Rock Indian Band.
The line has an OEB-approved rate base of approximately $880 million (100 per cent basis) and connects northwest Ontario communities and industries to Ontario’s electricity grid. The transaction is conditional upon satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
This was another great asset that OMERS Infrastructure owned and it was time to sell it to Hydro One so it can continue its mission in providing the province with safe, reliable electricity.
Hydro One is purchasing a 48 per cent interest in the East-West Tie Limited Partnership from OMERS and Enbridge valued at $257 million.
Again, this deal goes to show you that OMERS has one of the best infrastructure portfolios among Canada's large pension funds and it can realize on some assets when it makes sense (and put the money to work elsewhere).
And as Michael Hill, Executive Vice President and Global Head of OMERS Infrastructure states, Hydro One is a great strategic partner to OMERS who can take now support the next growth stage of the East-West Tie Limited Partnership:
“We are very proud of our 12-year partnership with co-shareholders and our collaboration with First Nations to develop and operationalize the East-West Tie. Hydro One, a prominent Canadian company that already owns and operates more than 90 per cent of Ontario's transmission network, was considered the best strategic partner to support the company’s continued reliable operations.”
That's it from me, wish all those celebrating a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and happy holidays to everyone, rest up.
I will be back early next year with my Outlook 2025 and going to try to figure out these crazy markets once again (and likely be wrong again).
Below, Stuart Kaiser, Citi head of equity trading strategy, joins 'Closing Bell' to discuss the next major market catalyst and bracing for new year volatility.
And Liz Ann Sonders, Charles Schwab chief investment strategist, joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss uncertainty around the Federal Reserve in 2025, the certainty the market needs, and much more.
Third, Sarat Sethi, DCLA managing partner and portfolio manager, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the latest market trends, what to make of the recent market volatility, state of the economy, the Fed's inflation fight, and more.
Lastly, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra sing the classic "White Christmas" together.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season, stay safe and all the best for the new year.
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