Articles from Electrical Business

German Technology Day 2025 showcased advanced manufacturing and automation solutions from German companies at the Toronto Congress Centre. Attendees experienced innovations like Jumo's Aquis Touch P/S and Siemens' Simatic S7-1200 G2 PLCs, alongside Rittal's RiLineX busbar system. A variety of companies including Rittal, EPlan, and Weidmuller demonstrated their cutting-edge technology, focusing on efficiency, safety, and automation. The event was attended by industry professionals, including Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Victor Fedeli.

The Canadian government has allocated over $13 million to support Ontario projects focused on modernizing the electricity grid. This funding, part of the Energy Innovation Program, aims to enhance access to electricity markets by integrating customer-owned devices into the grid. Numerous projects, including those by Alectra Utilities Corp. and Peak Power Inc., will use this funding to advance Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), improve power quality, and foster a cleaner and more resilient energy grid. These initiatives will enable local energy procurement and defer traditional infrastructure investments, benefiting ratepayers.

In June 2025, the value of building permits in Canada decreased by $1.2 billion to $12 billion, largely due to a decline in Ontario's institutional component. Non-residential permits fell by $863.8 million, with significant impacts in the institutional and commercial sectors. The residential construction sector also saw a decline, primarily in multi-family housing in British Columbia. Despite these declines, certain areas, such as industrial construction in Quebec and Ontario, experienced increases.

The Oneida Energy Storage Project in Ontario has commenced operations as the largest battery energy storage facility in Canada, achieved through a partnership between Northland Power Inc. and several other entities. The 250-MW/1000-MWh facility came online two months early and under budget, despite rising costs of lithium-ion batteries. This project serves as a model for future energy storage initiatives, providing increased grid reliability and reducing emissions significantly. Developments were supported by strong partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizational collaborations, illustrating the potential for large-scale sustainable energy solutions.

Ipex has opened a new high-efficiency distribution center in Woodstock, Ontario, representing an investment of over $27 million. The 150,000-square-foot facility will enhance Ipex's supply chain abilities in eastern Canada and the United States. It features advanced logistics functions such as cross-docking and a pedestrian-free design to improve safety and speed of goods movement. Local officials praised the center for its innovation and potential for local employment growth.

Siemens Canada is winding down production at its Peterborough, Ontario facility and expanding its operations at the Concord location to enhance competitiveness in its industrial automation business. Over the next two years, manufacturing roles for Measurement Intelligence technologies will transfer from Peterborough to Concord, affecting approximately 160 positions in Peterborough but creating around 70 new jobs in Concord. Siemens aims to support affected employees during this transition and remains committed to employee growth, with about 100 current open positions.

Aztec Electrical Supply Inc., a subsidiary of Sonepar, has expanded its Cambridge, Ontario, branch and opened a new location in Stoney Creek, Ontario. The expansion doubles the Cambridge warehouse capacity to offer a wider variety of products including automation and control solutions. The new Stoney Creek branch specializes in solutions for local industrial facilities. Future expansions are planned along Ontario's Highway 401 corridor, including a central distribution centre to support the Greater Toronto Area.

In April 2025, Canada's total investment in building construction dropped by $741.9 million to $22.3 billion, with significant declines in both the residential and non-residential sectors. The residential sector experienced a 4.5% decrease, notably in the multi-unit and single-family components. Ontario and Alberta led the national downturn in single-family home construction. The non-residential sector saw a slight decline, despite an increase in institutional investments, led by Alberta.

The Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario (ECAO) recognized top member companies with the R. Hugh Carroll Award for exemplary safety commitment in 2025. Multiple firms, including Rogol Electric and Symtech Innovations, were honored for their outstanding safety achievements. Additionally, certain members were given the new Recognition of Safety Achievement award for maintaining injury statistics below the industry average. Larry J. MacDonald of Black & McDonald Ltd. received the D.J.B. Wright Award for his leadership contributions to Ontario's electrical contracting industry.

The Ontario government will enhance workplace safety for construction workers by mandating automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) at construction sites expected to last three or more months with at least 20 workers. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is considering financial assistance for small businesses to acquire AEDs. The WSIB is proposing a program to reimburse the cost of AEDs, which can range from $1,800 to $3,700. This measure responds to data indicating that over 15% of cardiac-related workplace incidents occur in the construction sector.

Ontario has approved Ontario Power Generation to begin constructing its first new nuclear project in over 30 years, comprising four small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site. A partnership between Aecon Group and Kiewit Nuclear Canada will handle the construction, scheduled for completion in 2030. The project will use Integrated Project Delivery and will collaborate with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and AtkinsRéalis to deliver North America's first grid-scale SMR. The Darlington units will generate a total of 1200 MW using commercially available uranium.

The Oneida Energy Storage Project, the largest battery energy storage facility in Canada, has commenced operations in Haldimand County, Ontario. This project was developed through a partnership with Northland Power and various Indigenous and corporate stakeholders, highlighting the importance of collaboration and Indigenous partnership. Completed ahead of schedule and under budget, the facility will enhance Ontario's grid capacity and stability while contributing to emissions reduction. The project, supported by significant funding, also generated over 180 jobs during its construction phase.