Resistance growing in charged electricity battle in Winston Heights-Mountain View

A plan to put a high-voltage transmission line above ground, through a northeast Calgary neighbourhood, is being met with resistance.

Residents of Calgary’s Winston Heights-Mountain View neighbourhood are opposing Enmax’s plan to build a high-voltage transmission line above ground through their community.

The project, which aims to replace an existing 138-kilovolt underground transmission line, would see up to 28-metre steel monopoles erected along 17 Avenue N.E.

Enmax says underground placement is too costly, but residents argue the impact on their community is too severe to justify the cheaper option.

“They’re not your regular power poles,” said Monica Herspiegel, who lives in the neighbourhood.

“They’re massive, and the hum that is expected to come from them would be relentless. It’s not fair to this community.”

Enmax’s application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) proposes two routes: one that would keep the line underground through Winston Heights-Mountain View and another that would bring the line above ground once it crosses Edmonton Trail.

The company says its preferred above-ground route would cost about $10 million less than the underground alternative.

“Frankly, the cost difference they’re talking about is basically a rounding error to a company the size of Enmax,” said DJ Kelly, chair of the Winston Heights-Mountain View Community Association’s development committee.

Kelly said the project contradicts city efforts to increase urban density and preserve green spaces.

The above-ground route would require the removal of about 40 trees and would run in front of multi-family developments currently under construction.

“These are massive, monolithic steel poles,” he said.

“They do not look like something you would expect to see in an inner-city developed neighbourhood. They look more like what you’d see in a rural community or an empty part of the city.”

Doug McLean, another Winston Heights resident, questioned why the project would be buried through Tuxedo Park but raised through his neighbourhood.

“We don’t understand why,” he said.

“In one area, it can go underground, and as soon as it gets to our area, it comes above ground, and we’ve got 100-foot power poles. It’s not going to improve our neighbourhood at all. It’s not going to do anything for our property values.”

Lawyer Gavin Fitch, who represents a group of residents, said the plan is unfair.

“Why isn’t the part running through our neighbourhood also underground like the part that’s on the other side of Edmonton Trail?” he said.

“We don’t think it’s fair that our clients should be stuck with the above-ground route when folks on the other side get it buried.”

Fitch said the community is growing, with new residential and commercial developments underway.

“This is an area that is rapidly densifying,” he said.

“It just doesn’t make sense to put a brand-new transmission line above ground in that area.”

In a statement, Enmax said the project is necessary “to ensure continued reliability and meet the long-term needs of the electricity system.”

The company said it has engaged residents through open houses, newsletters and direct outreach, and that the AUC will ultimately decide whether the line is placed above or below ground.

“The AUC’s decision will be based on all the evidence presented in the regulatory process, including input from directly affected residents,” Enmax said.

“We are ready to proceed with construction on either route, and if approved, construction is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2026.”

The AUC has issued a notice of hearing but has not set a date.

Residents say they intend to fight for the underground option.

“If they go forward with the above-ground route, that’s something we’re going to need to live with in our neighbourhood for the next 50, 60, 70 years,” Kelly said.

“Whereas if they go below ground, it’s done. It costs a little more money right now, but we never have to worry about it again.”