Transmission & Distribution

Canada is a sought-after market for power-related ventures and investment. At the same time, however, Canada has infrastructure challenges and complex regulatory, environmental, Indigenous and treaty matters impacting those engaged in power-related enterprises. Faced with these challenges and seeking to leverage opportunities, public- and private-industry players from a variety of generating sources, including nuclear, thermal, hydroelectric, wind and solar, seek out Blakes Power lawyers for comprehensive advice and representation. Our clients include power generators, transmitters and distributors, oil and gas pipeline companies, oil storage, refining companies and industrial consumers, among others.

Our ability to provide sound legal guidance extends to a broad range of power transmission and distribution-specific topics, including services and planning considerations, substation siting and development, generator/transmission interconnection and distribution agreements, power purchase, supply, maintenance and repair agreements, pipeline projects and infrastructure matters, structuring and responding to requests for proposals (RFPs), and Plan Nord opportunities. We also advise on environmental and regulatory compliance, resolution of Indigenous issues and a broad range of other regulatory and environmental-specific issues. From finance agreements to workplace issues, including worker health and safety and labour relations matters, we advise clients on all aspects of their business dealings.

In addition to our transactional practice, Blakes Power litigators regularly represent clients in hearings, applications, rule-making proceedings and appeals before key regulatory bodies, including various provincial regulatory bodies, the National Energy Board, and in court proceedings at all levels. Additionally, we advocate for clients regarding policy issues, permitting and environmental impact review, tax credits, rates, funding, and energy-efficiency issues.

With offices across Canada, Blakes lawyers are experts in the province-specific rules impacting the power industry and are strategically located to serve our clients in the various provinces where they conduct business.

Recent Experience

ENMAX Corporation in an application to Alberta Utilities Commission for approval to replace a transmission line.
ENMAX Corporation in applications to the Alberta Utilities Commission for approval to relocate existing transmission lines to accommodate West Calgary Ring Road.
AltaLink Management Ltd., Alberta’s largest electrical transmission service provider, in obtaining land requirements for its major transmission system reinforcements in southern Alberta.
The developer of Canada’s first international merchant power line between Alberta, Canada, and Montana, U.S.A., in obtaining regulatory approvals and securing land access.
The Ontario Ministry of Energy regarding its interests with respect to the Ontario-Manitoba transmission line project and the Bruce Power nuclear refurbishment that includes transmission issues.
The Ontario Power Authority in connection with its interests in pursuing the hydroelectric and transmission development of the Lower Churchill Falls region in Labrador and Newfoundland.
Advised various developers and market participants regarding connection agreements with Hydro One and the regulatory requirements regarding proposed interconnections with U.S. markets.
The Alberta Electric System Operator in drafting numerous RFPs and related agreements to procure transmission and generation used to ensure system reliability.
Various clients in drafting and/or reviewing merchant transmission proposals in Alberta, Ontario and the Maritimes in Canada and New England in the U.S.
Negotiating reliability management and reliability criteria agreements with the Western Electricity Coordinating Council.