Cambridge, North Dumfries and Brantford to consider merging hydro companies

Utility companies in Cambridge, the Township ofNorth Dumfriesand Brantford are beginning talks about a possible merger.

Directors on the boards for both theBrantford Energy Corporation and Cambridge and North Dumfries Energy Plus Inc., have endorsed a memorandum of understandingto explore the possibility.

The process could take more than a year, according to a release by Brantford Power. A committee will review how the risks and benefits could impact business and residential customers. Thatevaluation process will include a consultation process that will involve customers.

Cambridge and North Dumfries Energy Plus Inc., services more than67,000 customers, while Brantford Power has a distribution system that looks after 40,000 customers.

The Ontario government has been supportive of consolidating electricity companies in the past providing it's to improve efficiencies and reduces costs, including whenThunder Bay Hydro and Kenora Hydro combined to createSynergy North in 2019, and when Guelph voted to in favour ofmerging Guelph Hydrowith public utility company Alectrain 2017.

The Ontario Energy Board would have the final say on whether any merger would go ahead.