FAQs
Why is this substation required?
Medicine Hat’s south area has experienced commercial and residential expansion. The City recognizes the need for additional infrastructure to address this rising demand. The MHSS is needed to alleviate current congestion, enhance system reliability, and accommodate future electrical growth.
How was the preferred and alternative site determined?
The City initially narrowed down the planned substation location to two potential sites, a preferred and an alternate. These sites were identified by assessing a number of criteria, including community feedback, environmental impacts, visual impacts, agricultural impacts, engineering considerations, and costs. Each of these sites were suitable for housing a substation and were submitted to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) for review and approval.
Who approved the substation?
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) regulates the construction of electrical infrastructure. On April 25, 2025, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) approved the construction and operation of the Preferred Site of the Medicine Hat Southwest Substation Project (Proceeding #29734).
Are potential substation locations designated for this type of development?
Utilities (such as transmission lines or substations) are permitted uses in all districts whether they are listed uses in the district or not.
How will the City address potential enviromental impacts?
The Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) is available for public review through the Alberta Utilities Commission eFiling system. The EPP has made detailed commitments for minimizing potential environmental impacts.
What was the outcome of the previous MHS-11 substation Project?
The City filed an application for the MHS-11 substation and related infrastructure with the AUC on June 1, 2022. Following the regulatory review process, the AUC released a decision on June 12, 2023, denying the City’s application, outlining the need to re-evaluate the site selection process.
Ultimately, the need for a substation in the SW portion of the City has not changed.
The City recognizes the input received through the previous engagement and regulatory process, and remains dedicated to working with community members and following through on commitments. If you wish to review the licence decision, visit www.auc.ab.ca under proceeding number 27417.
What will it look like?
The site will have similar equipment to MHS-10 substation in Box Springs Industrial Area (Box Springs Rd.). The site will be 100 m x 100 m that will be gravelled, and an area of 80 x 88 m will be fenced to house equipment necessary to “step down” electrical voltage for distribution to the community.
What is the City doing from a safety perspective?
A substation site will be fenced and there will be restricted access to the site for members of the public. If there were to be an incident at site, City representatives will follow guidelines set forth in their emergency response plans for City facilities.
Will there be a continuous loud noise from the substation?
The City will design, construct, and monitor the facility to meet the guidelines set forth in AUC Rule 012. Noise modelling has been completed and is publicly available through the AUC efilling system under proceeding 29734.
Will there be continuous light from the substation?
Lighting is an important safety consideration. There will be a need to illuminate the site (Alberta Electrical Utility Code – 8-222). The City will modify lighting, to the extent possible, to limit light disturbances to local residences. Specific modifications will be site dependent and could include different types of lights, lowered lighting, or shielding lights to minimize light dispersal.
Are there health effects associated with living in proximity to a substation?
The City of Medicine Hat understands this concern and takes it very seriously. The City of Medicine Hat follows guidance from Health Canada(External link) and the guidelines issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection(External link) (ICNIRP)
Health Canada states:
"The potential health effects of extremely low frequency EMF has been studied extensively... When you are inside your home, the electric fields from transformer boxes and high voltage power lines are often weaker than the fields from household electrical appliances. Extremely low frequency EMF exposures in Canadian homes, schools and offices are far below the limits recommended in the ICNIRP guidelines. You don't need to take precautions to protect yourself from these kinds of exposures".
We welcome your questions regarding EMF at any time.
Will this Project affect property value?
The City of Medicine Hat takes this concern seriously. Many factors go into the evaluation of property. As no locations are exactly the same, it is difficult to compare values when there are various criteria that can determine the outcome.
When will this Project be completed?
Preliminary work will begin in Spring 2025. You may see equipment moving in and out of the site. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these activities, we ask you contact our project team.
The City anticipates construction to be completed by the end of 2026 and for the substation to be in service in Q2 2027.