Reliable electricity starts behind the scenes, in the equipment that keeps power flowing across Oshawa. This fall, Oshawa Power is completing upgrades at Municipal Substation #7 (MS7) with advanced eHouse switchgear technology, a key investment that will strengthen the reliability and safety of our city’s power supply for years to come.
The new eHouse was delivered mid-October. Full installation and integration is expected to be complete in December.
Why Substations Matter
Municipal Substations are the backbone of Oshawa’s local grid. They receive high-voltage electricity from Ontario’s provincial system and convert it to lower voltages for safe delivery to homes and businesses.
MS7, located at Simcoe Street North and Taunton Road East, has been serving customers for nearly six decades. Like any essential infrastructure, its electrical equipment reaches a point where replacement is necessary to maintain reliability and avoid unplanned outages.
What’s Changing at MS7
Oshawa Power’s new eHouse switchgear represents the next generation of electrical infrastructure:
- Modular and prefabricated: Built off-site, tested, and delivered ready for plug-and-play installation.
- Compact and efficient: Fits seamlessly into the existing substation footprint.
- Enhanced safety: Provides better protection for staff and equipment.
- Future-ready: Designed to integrate with digital monitoring and smart grid technologies.
Work on MS7 began in 2025 and will be completed by December. This marks the second of four planned switchgear replacements under Oshawa Power’s long-term Capital Rebuild Plan.
The Bigger Picture
This project is part of Oshawa Power’s proactive Municipal Substation Switchgear Replacement Program. By replacing aging infrastructure before failure, we reduce outage risks, improve reliability, and prepare the grid for future energy needs including electric vehicles, distributed generation, and smart grid expansion.
“These upgrades are part of our commitment to maintaining a strong, modern, and resilient power system for Oshawa. Investing in infrastructure today means greater reliability and fewer disruptions tomorrow.”
– Peter Petriw, Director, Engineering & Operations
What It Means For You
For customers fed by MS7 and even across the rest of our grid, this upgrade means:
- Fewer unplanned outages
- Greater grid stability during extreme weather
- Long-term reliability as the city continues to grow
Oshawa Power continues to invest in critical infrastructure that keeps your lights on, your devices powered, and your city moving forward.
