Motor City Electric Utilities Co. (MCEU), in partnership with Mid South Contractors ULC (MSC), was selected by HB White Canada Corp. to provide complete electrical contracting for NextEra Energy’s 129MW Summer Haven Wind Energy Park in Haldimand County, Ontario. Positioned near Lake Erie, the site benefits from consistent wind patterns ideal for renewable energy production.
As wholly owned subsidiaries of Motor City Electric Co., MCEU and MSC combined their expertise to deliver this utility-scale project. MCEU specializes in substations, transmission and distribution systems, and other large-scale utility work. MSC, based in Windsor, serves as MCE’s base of operations for Canadian projects, offering regional insight and on-the-ground efficiency.
HB White Canada Corp
The scope of work was expansive. MCEU and MSC constructed roughly 60 miles of underground collection cabling, a 7-mile 230kV transmission line, a new 230-34.5kV collector substation, and completed wind turbine generator (WTG) electrical work for 56 Siemens 2.3MW turbines. The complexity of the site required a balance of technical execution and environmental stewardship.
Following detailed site surveys, MCEU prepared access roads and built foundations for the electrical infrastructure. The on-site substation, along with its dedicated operations building, included all critical components: a main isolation switch and circuit breaker, step-up transformer, distribution switchgear, instrument transformers, grounding equipment, and both high and low-voltage breakers and disconnects. Revenue metering was also integrated to ensure accurate energy output tracking.
Connecting the substation to Ontario’s grid required the construction of a switchyard to tie into the 230kV Hydro One Networks Inc. (HONI) transmission line. The switchyard featured both a Summer Haven and HONI switching station, consisting of three separate buildings linked to the primary transmission circuit. Careful coordination between MCEU, HONI, and HB White ensured that the system met all utility requirements and project timelines.
The wind farm’s underground collector system was designed to efficiently transmit power from each turbine to the substation using standard 34.5kV utility cable. MCEU completed both the underground cabling and the overhead transmission line in just two months. To protect valuable farmland, the majority of the transmission line was trenched underground. In areas where overhead lines were necessary, MCEU crews used truck-mounted augers and cranes to install poles, followed by boom trucks to prep the structures for conductor installation.
Environmental considerations were embedded into every phase. Horizontal directional drilling was employed near bodies of water and natural features to reduce disruption. Three meteorological towers were installed on-site to monitor wind speed in real time, and safety protocols ensure turbines shut down automatically if wind speeds exceed 55 miles per hour. Additionally, secondary containment systems were installed around transformers to prevent soil or water contamination in the event of a leak.
The Summer Haven Wind Energy Park is a testament to the value of expert execution, thoughtful planning, and collaborative partnership. With MCEU and MSC leading electrical construction, the project not only advances Ontario’s renewable energy capacity but also sets a benchmark for clean energy infrastructure across North America.
