Epcor Natural Gas LP has received approval from the Ontario Energy Board to construct the Southern Bruce Natural Gas Distribution Project for Western Canada customers.

The eight-inch diameter pipeline would run around 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Dornoch, Ontario to the Bruce Energy Center to connect customers in the region. The total length of the mainline and distribution lines would span around 298 kilometers (185 miles). The line is also planned to link into the Owen Sound Enbridge line.

Epcor expects the Bruce Industrial Park could be connected this year, followed by service to Ontario communities of Kincardine, Tiverton, and Inverhuron in 2020. The communities of Paisley, Chelsey, Lucknow, Ripley, Point Clark and Lurgan Beach could be connected in 2021.

“We will have shovels in the ground right away and expect to have the full system in-service by the end of 2021,” Epcor Utilities Inc. CEO Stuart Lee said. “Epcor looks forward to serving customers in Southern Bruce and being a part of the community.”

This project is said to provide the area’s residents, farms, and businesses with access to natural gas for the first time.

The gas distribution system is to include a 120-kilometer (75-mile) large diameter mainline, as well as several smaller diameter, high density polyethylene distribution piping, which would be constructed within each of the communities to directly serve homes and businesses.