Central Calgary Transmission Line Replacement Project

For over 40 years, ENMAX transmission line 3.82L has carried electricity to homes and businesses in central Calgary. Given the line’s age and condition, we’re replacing it so it can continue to provide reliable power to Calgarians.

We are currently in the routing and siting phase. This is where we consider different impacts to find a location for new or upgraded transmission equipment by looking at land use, environmental impacts, engineering requirements, cost and community impacts. Information is gathered from many sources including local stakeholders, landowners and community groups, as well as engineering and technical studies.

The final route must meet technical requirements, while allowing safe access for construction and future maintenance.

The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) reviews the evidence presented to determine if proposed route(s) is in the public interest. 

The AUC denied our previous application because our consultation process did not meet their expectations.

This gave us an opportunity to review our engagement process and look at how we can better understand and collect stakeholder input. We have also started reviewing and refreshing all the information we use to develop route options and will continue to work closely with residents, property owners, and The City of Calgary.

Before submitting an application to the AUC, we must carry out a project specific engagement program that ensures potentially affected stakeholders receive information about the project and are given an opportunity to provide feedback. The requirements for engagement programs can be found in AUC Rule 007: Facility Applications. 

We follow AUC-defined criteria to identify stakeholders who may be affected by a proposed project. This helps ensure the right stakeholders are notified and consulted. 

There are several ways we are engaging including:  

• Community Consultations: We host in-person events featuring project information, access to project experts to help answer questions, and opportunities for public input.
• Online Survey:  You can fill out our online survey  to share your input on the project.   
• Postcards, Door Hangers, and Door Knocking: Materials will be delivered to nearby residents based on their proximity to the proposed project areas. If you haven’t received the information you need, have questions, or would like to share input, please let us know how we can assist by contacting us at 403-514-1471 or stakeholderrelations@enmax.com.  

We look closely at all feedback during planning and do our best to address concerns in a collaborative manner. We keep records and include feedback in our application to the AUC.

If we can’t resolve a concern before we send in our application, we will still include it and explain what we’ve done to address it. Our engagement doesn’t end when we file the application, we’ll stay in touch and share updates as the project moves forward. 

During our most recent round of engagement, community members shared thoughtful and detailed feedback on a range of topics including:

• How feedback is used: A desire for greater clarity on how community input influences routing and siting decisions, and where technical or regulatory constraints limit changes.
• Route location and configuration: Strong interest in underground routes, particularly along 16 Avenue NE and 17 Avenue NE, and questions about the use of overhead versus underground infrastructure.
• Property values: Concerns about potential impacts to nearby property values, particularly where overhead transmission infrastructure may be proposed.
• Parks, trees and visual impacts: Feedback about potential effects on Munro Park, tree removal, landscaping, and how transmission infrastructure may interact with future land use and development plans.
• Health, safety and noise: Questions about electromagnetic fields (EMF) associated with overhead transmission lines, as well as concerns about possible buzzing or crackling noise.
• Cost considerations: Concerns that cost could outweigh other important community considerations such as visual impacts, park use and neighbourhood character.

For more information read our full report on what we heard at previous engagement opportunities. 

Through summer 2026, we are continuing technical studies and evaluating route and configuration options, incorporating feedback from open houses and the online survey. Before submitting our application, we will share which routes and configurations we plan to propose to the AUC as preferred and alternate options. We expect to submit an updated application in late 2026. If the project is approved and materials are ready, construction is expected to begin in late 2027. We expect the project to be finished and in service in late 2028.

Transmission projects are funded by Albertans and show up as part of the transmission charge on your utility bill. With this in mind, costs are always an important consideration in our transmission projects.

We send our applications to the AUC when we need to build or change electrical transmission infrastructure. These applications usually include technical information, maps, feedback from stakeholders, and environmental studies.

The AUC may hold public hearings to decide if the project is in the public interest. A hearing includes written information and may also include an in-person or spoken part.

Individuals, organizations and communities can participate in the AUC’s hearing process in two ways:

• Attend open houses and information sessions on the project or fill out our online survey as part of our participant involvement program. The feedback will be  recorded and  included in our application to the AUC.
• You can also formally participate in the AUC hearing by submitting a Statement of Concern through the AUC’s eFiling system. The AUC reviews Statements of Concern and determines whether or not that person can participate in the hearing.

More information can be found on the AUC’s website about the regulatory process, including stakeholder participation.