Toronto Hydro quietly launches an interactive load “Capacity Map”

Toronto Hydro has launched a new interactive Capacity Map.

The company says the digital tool is designed to provide an overview of estimated available electrical load capacity across the city. The initiative is expected to help developers, contractors, and customers make informed decisions early in their project planning, particularly for new electrical connections like electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

The Capacity Map offers a high-level visualization of Toronto Hydro’s grid infrastructure, displaying the available electrical capacity across different areas. While users must still submit a service connection request for detailed feasibility assessments, the map provides an initial indication of potential site options. The tool, updated quarterly, is expected to streamline project planning and reduce uncertainty for stakeholders navigating Toronto’s growing energy demands.

Addressing Energy Needs

Toronto Hydro electricity meter. (CTV News)

Toronto’s energy infrastructure is under increasing strain due to urban development, rising electrification, and the expansion of EV charging networks. Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has projected that electricity demand in the province will grow by 40% over the next two decades, driven by population growth and climate policies pushing for widespread electrification.

For contractors and developers, securing electrical capacity early in the planning process is critical, particularly as Toronto Hydro must often undertake system upgrades or expansions to meet new service requests. The Capacity Map provides a color-coded visualization of available capacity—green indicating higher availability, while red signals areas with lower capacity, where grid enhancements may be required.

What it Does—and Doesn’t Do

A Toronto Hydro worker uses a chainsaw to clear branches from around power lines on December

The tool serves as a preliminary resource, but Toronto Hydro emphasizes that it is not a substitute for a detailed engineering study. The Capacity Map does not provide real-time data, cost estimates, or information on Distributed Energy Resource (DER) project connections, such as solar or battery storage. Instead, it focuses on power demand and load capacity, guiding users toward submitting a formal service connection request for more precise assessments.

Additionally, Toronto Hydro notes that the map excludes lower-voltage substations and feeders, as current Ontario Energy Board (OEB) regulations require utilities to publish capacity information only for substations rated at 7.5 megavolt-amperes (MVA) or higher and feeders operating at 8 kilovolt-amperes (kVA) or above. Future updates may expand coverage to include lower-voltage assets.

Greater Grid Transparency

Toronto Hydro’s launch of the Capacity Map aligns with a broader push for grid modernization and transparency in North America. Similar initiatives have been introduced in other major cities as utilities seek to provide greater clarity to businesses and municipalities planning for electrification projects.

As Toronto accelerates the adoption of EVs, heat pumps, and electrified infrastructure, tools like the Capacity Map will become increasingly valuable. While the tool does not eliminate the need for formal capacity assessments, it represents a critical first step in reducing friction in the project development process—a move that could help the city adapt more efficiently to its evolving energy landscape.