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FY2021 Annual Report · Hyatt Hotels
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Energizing 
Life

for People & Communities

2021 Annual Report

2021 Highlights

1

Focusing on Customer 
Satisfaction
Our Connected for Life initiative helped 
us achieve record-high customer 
satisfaction scores. Residential and small 
business customer satisfaction increased 
to 89% from 87%, and large customer 
satisfaction increased to 92% from 83%.

2 

Building a Stronger  
Safety Culture  
While we achieved a best-in-class 
recordable injury rate of 0.74 in 2021 
and since 2004 have succeeded in 
reducing that rate by approximately 90%, 
our success was overshadowed by the 
tragic death of our teammate. To build 
a stronger safety culture and eliminate 
serious injuries at Hydro One, we will 
continue implementing recommendations 
made by the employee-led Safety 
Improvement Team with the goal to 
eliminate life-altering injuries.

3 

Standing Up for Communities
Our Feed Ontario partnership served 
up the equivalent of 450,000 meals to 
Ontarians facing hunger. We also proudly 
supported local organizations that are 
working to keep our communities safe 
and healthy.  

Corporate Profile 
Hydro One Limited (TSX: H)

Hydro One Limited, through its wholly-owned 
subsidiaries, is Ontario’s largest electricity 
transmission and distribution provider with 
approximately 1.5 million valued customers, 
approximately $30.4 billion in assets as of 
December 31, 2021, and annual revenues in 
2021 of approximately $7.2 billion. 

Our team of approximately 9,300 skilled 
and dedicated employees proudly build and 
maintain a safe and reliable electricity system, 
which is essential to energizing life for people 
and communities across the province. In  
2021, Hydro One invested approximately  
$2.1 billion in its transmission and distribution 
networks and supported the economy through 
buying approximately $1.7 billion of goods  
and services.  

We are committed to the communities 
where we live and work through community 
investment, sustainability and diversity 
initiatives. We are designated as a Sustainable 
Electricity Company by the Canadian 
Electricity Association. Hydro One Limited’s 
common shares are listed on the TSX and 
certain of Hydro One Inc.’s medium term notes 
are listed on the NYSE. Additional information 
can be accessed at www.hydroone.com,  
www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov. 

Contents

2021 Highlights  

A Message from Our Chair 

A Message from Our  
President & CEO 

Connecting Customers &  
Communities for Life  

Building a More Sustainable,  
Resilient Grid for the Future  

Corporate Governance 

Hydro One’s Business Network 

Why Invest? 

Financial Highlights 

Financial Report 

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2

4

6

8

9

11

12

13

14

We play a critical role in meeting the needs of our customers, building a grid for the future and supporting 
economic growth. Guided by our purpose of energizing life in Ontario, we are living up to our deep 
responsibility to put people and communities first. Our promise is to always listen to customers and take 
action to meet their needs. 

4

8

Improving Customer Experience with Record 
Distribution Power Reliability 
We improved the System Average interruption Duration Index 
(SAIDI) of our distribution network by approximately 11% compared 
to our 2020 results, which also resulted in the best distribution 
reliability result in 15 years. We also improved the SAIDI for our 
transmission network by 9%1. Hydro One’s Customer Average 
Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI), a key measure of success in 
delivering reliable power, also improved by 3% in 2021 from 2020. 

5

Building the Grid of the Future – Enabling 
Innovative, Sustainable Growth
We submitted Hydro One’s 2023-2027 Investment Plan to  
the Ontario Energy Board to energize life for communities.  
The plan, informed by customer feedback, will reduce the  
impacts of power outages for distribution customers by 
approximately 25%, enable economic growth and prepare  
Ontario for the impacts of climate change.

6

More Productivity Savings 
In 2021, we achieved a 20% increase in year-over-year productivity 
savings with $343.9 million saved in 2021 as compared to  
$286.0 million in 2020. We are delivering on our multi-year 
commitment to keep costs as low as possible with a total of 
approximately $1.1 billion in productivity savings since 2015. 

7 

Best Employer, 7th Year
For the seventh consecutive year, Hydro One has been recognized 
by Forbes in its list of Canada’s Best Employers for 2022, reflecting 
our commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged 
workforce, both during these unprecedented times and into  
the future.

Progressive Indigenous Relations
As part of our commitment to being a trusted partner to 
Indigenous communities, in 2021 we focused on excelling at 
engagement, addressing barriers to employment that may exist 
for Indigenous employees, and working on education and training 
to support our employees on their understanding of Indigenous 
issues. We made the decision to measure our progress and set 
a public procurement target for Indigenous businesses at 5% of 
our purchases of materials and services, by 2026. This year, we 
increased total procurement with Indigenous businesses to  
$58.3 million, our highest spend to date.  

9  

People, Planet and Community Commitments 
As a sustainable company, we are taking action now to stand for 
people, the planet and communities and to build a sustainable 
future for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We 
developed goals in our key priority areas including a commitment 
to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 
with a target of a 30% GHG reduction by 2030. We also have 
targets for the electrification of our fleet, improving diversity in 
the workplace and sourcing products and services more from 
Indigenous businesses. We are committing at least 20% of 
corporate donations and sponsorships to Indigenous communities 
and initiatives that benefit Indigenous communities.

10

Critical Capital Investments 
The electricity system is the backbone of our economy and will 
play a critical role in Ontario’s economic recovery. To attract new 
businesses, create jobs and help communities grow, we invested 
approximately $2.1 billion in capital in 2021  to expand the electricity  
grid and renew and modernize existing infrastructure.

1  Transmission SAIDI for multi-circuit supplied delivery points.

Hydro One Limited  Annual Report 2021

1

A Message from Our

Chair

Clean, green growth is our province’s way forward. Hydro One enables that growth, 
delivering electricity that is approximately 94%1 carbon emission-free.

I am proud to see the Hydro One team carry 
its resilience, hard work and dedication 
to customers and communities in Ontario 
through another challenging year. Mark 
and his leadership team have continued to 
adapt to meet the changing needs of our 
employees, customers, communities and 
industry while ensuring safe and resilient 
power and infrastructure is in place to face 
the challenges of this pandemic. 

The Board recognizes the role Hydro One 
plays in energizing life for Ontarians and we 
embrace Hydro One’s focus on people, the 
planet and communities. We are proud that 
this past year, Hydro One demonstrated its 
commitment to sustainability by publicly 
announcing its environmental, social 
and governance (ESG) goals, including a 
commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse 
gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 with a target 
of a 30% GHG reduction by 2030. We will 

continue to work with the executive team 
to ensure it has an integrated plan and the 
resources necessary to make meaningful 
progress along the pathway to net-zero, 
greater workplace diversity and reconciliation 
with Indigenous peoples. The Board is also 
pleased Hydro One started the journey to 
align its annual sustainability report with 
the recommendations on the Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) 
in 2021.

Hydro One has also committed to diversifying 
talent at the Board level with 30% female 
representation as a signatory to the Catalyst 
Accord and 3.5% Black representation 
by 2025 as part of signing the BlackNorth 
Initiative Pledge in 2020. Our gender-
balanced Board already surpasses our 
Catalyst Accord commitment and we are 
confident we will meet our BlackNorth 
Initiative commitments.   

Timothy Hodgson 
Chair

  Hydro One helped energize life in  
Peterborough, Lakefield and Norwood  
by supporting Kawartha Food Share in  
the fight against hunger.

2

1   The Canadian Energy Regulator has historically been used as the data source for this indicator. Going forward, Hydro One 

will report on this metric using data provided directly from the Independent Energy System Operator for Ontario.

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021“ The Board recognizes 
the role Hydro One 
plays in energizing life 
for Ontarians and we 
embrace Hydro One’s 
focus on people, the 
planet and communities.”

By 2026, Hydro One has also committed 
to increasing its Indigenous procurement 
spend to 5% of the company’s purchases 
of materials and services and to direct 20% 
of its community investment donations and 
sponsorships to Indigenous communities 
and organizations. Using the reach of its 
network, Hydro One will continue to leverage 
its unique position in the province to further 
reconciliation and nurture respectful, 
positive and mutually beneficial relationships 
with Indigenous people, businesses 
and communities. 

On behalf of the Board, I want to commend 
Mark and his team for their steady leadership 
and execution of the company’s strategic 
plan this past year. In particular, they led 
one of the most comprehensive public 
consultations ever undertaken by our 
company in support of Hydro One’s 2023-
2027 Joint Rate Application to the Ontario 
Energy Board for our transmission and 
distribution businesses. This application 
includes a five-year Investment Plan that 
will deliver a more resilient, reliable and 
sustainable electricity system that is 
prepared for the impacts of climate change 
and the future of Ontario. 

Lastly, but central to everything we do, I want 
to thank Hydro One’s 9,300 team members, 
particularly those who continue to work on 
the frontlines to support our customers 
and communities in the province. We enter 
2022 stronger than ever to build a better and 
brighter future for generations to come.

Timothy Hodgson 
Chair

3

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021A Message from Our

President & CEO

Hydro One is in the business of providing more than safe and reliable power – we are 
responsible for energizing life for people and communities across Ontario. 

Mark Poweska 
President and  
Chief Executive Officer

Through the passion, determination and 
ingenuity of our employees, we were able 
to be there for communities and customers 
during another challenging year. As an 
essential service, we proudly maintained the 
critical supply of electricity to the benefit 
of all Ontarians – keeping loved ones safe, 
hospitals running and protecting the most 
vulnerable in communities.

We are a company that puts people 
first, listening and taking action to meet 
the evolving needs of our customers, 
employees, communities and industry. We 
will play a critical role in Ontario’s economic 
recovery and the shift to electrification, 
which represents a historic opportunity to 
decarbonize and meet our collective net-zero 
targets. By delivering on our strategy, we 
are positioned to support greater customer 
choice and sustainable economic growth for 
years to come. 

Energizing Life for People and Communities: 
At this unique point in history, Hydro One 
remains committed to our vision of a better 
and brighter future for all through our focus 
on people, the planet and communities. 
Connected for Life is our promise to keep our 
customers connected to safe and reliable 
power while we help them find the right relief 
programs. Since the start of the COVID-19 
pandemic in 2020, we proudly supported 
families and small business owners in their 
time of need. We helped more than 16,800 
customers access financial relief. We also 
stood ready to support communities across 
the province by partnering with Feed Ontario 
to distribute nutritious food to more than 
1,200 hunger-relief organizations in more 
than 130 communities. We also supported 
local organizations that are working to keep 
their communities safe and healthy. 

Looking forward, our 2023-2027 Investment 
Plan will energize life for future generations 
by investing in a resilient, reliable and 
sustainable electricity grid to significantly 
reduce the impacts of power outages for 

Our 2023-2027 Investment Plan  
to create a better and brighter Ontario

~50,000
Ontarians told us they wanted a 
more resilient electricity system 
that is ready for the future

The majority of our system was 
built in the 1950s and 1960s

1 in every 20 wooden poles 
is now at risk of failure

Nearly 1 in 4 
steel transmission  
towers are more  
than 80 years old

~4,000 circuit km
of high-voltage power lines need 
to be replaced

4

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Our five-year Investment Plan will

1

Reduce the impacts 
of power outages 
for our distribution 
customers by ~25%

2

Renew or replace  
critical infrastructure

3

Prepare for 
impacts of 
climate change

4

Build a grid for 
the future

our distribution customers and prepare for 
climate change. Every dollar we invest comes 
at a cost to our customers and the people of 
Ontario, which is why we are committed to 
controlling costs and improving productivity.

Taking action now to build a sustainable 
future: We are a sustainable company and 
we are taking action now to build a better 
and brighter future for Ontarians. As a 
transmission and distribution company, 
Hydro One is uniquely positioned to facilitate 
the transition towards a low-carbon 
economy. In addition to our commitment 
to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, 
with a 30% reduction by 2030, we are 
diversifying our talent, creating an equitable 
and inclusive environment, adapting to the 
impacts of climate change on our business 
and increasing our procurement with 
Indigenous businesses.

Building on our commitment to Indigenous 
businesses, communities and organizations: 
In partnership with the Canadian Council for 
Aboriginal Business (CCAB), we created the 
Hydro One Business Grant to provide direct 
financial support to 28 Indigenous-owned 
businesses impacted by the pandemic. 
We remain committed to working with 
Indigenous businesses and increasing spend 
in that category every year. In 2021, we had 
our highest spend to date at $58.3 million.

Becoming the safest utility: While we 
continue on our journey to becoming 
the safest and most efficient utility, we 
remember the tragic loss of our teammate 
in 2021 due to a third-party motor vehicle 
accident. Our leadership team remains 
committed to transforming our safety 
culture and implementing the concrete 
recommendations made by our employee-
led Safety Improvement Team to eliminate 
serious injuries to ensure our entire team’s 
safety in the workplace.

At Hydro One, our people are the heart of 
this great company and they are responsible 
for energizing life for Ontarians. On behalf 
of our executive team, I want to thank each 
and every member of our team for their hard 
work and dedication this year. Together, we 
will continue to build momentum and build a 
better and brighter future for all Ontarians.  

Mark Poweska 
President & Chief Executive Officer

5

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
 
 
Connecting Customers & Communities

for Life

We are focused on what matters, which is looking out for the future 
of our customers, our industry, and the people of Ontario.

Connected for Life

Connected for Life is our promise to keep our customers 
connected to safe and reliable power while we help them 
find the right relief programs.

Through Connected for Life and other Hydro One programs, we 
helped customers access financial relief programs, resulting in 
more than 16,800 program signups, allowing them to focus on 
what matters – staying safe and navigating this challenging time.

We are investing in technology to meet our customers’ 
expectations for a more personalized service and more access 
to real-time data to help them make smart choices. This year, 
we continued to introduce new digital tools, improve outage 
communications and increase account flexibility. Hydro One was 
the first electricity provider in Ontario to offer customers the 
option to report their outage to us by text message and receive 
updates on power outage restoration status and times. 

Our combined efforts to keep our customers connected to safe, 
reliable and affordable power resulted in record high customer 
satisfaction scores, with residential and small business customer 
satisfaction increasing to 89% from 87%. 

  Communities need us now more than ever. Through our Energizing Life initiative, we provided much-needed funding to charities and local organizations 
addressing urgent and pressing needs across Ontario

6

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021  We funded numerous projects in 2021 that promote the physical, 
psychological and emotional safety of Ontarians. By putting the safety  
and wellbeing of Ontarians first, we are helping to build safer and more 
resilient communities. 

Building Safer, Resilient Communities

In 2021, we proudly launched Hydro One’s Energizing Life 
Community Fund, which funds projects that promote the physical, 
psychological and emotional safety of Ontarians. By supporting 
organizations who energize life for so many, we are able to build 
safer and more resilient communities.

The fund provides up to $25,000 in financial support to 
selected charitable organizations, Indigenous communities and 
municipalities. 2021 fund recipients included Caregiving Matters, 
which used its grant to provide 1,200 seniors with new ways to 
stay connected and improve their physical and emotional safety. 
Another recipient was the Municipality of Tweed for the creation 
of a new fitness trail to promote well-being and safety within 
the community. 

Food security, mental health, health care and shelter continued to 
be critical issues facing communities challenged by the COVID-19 
pandemic. In response, we partnered with the charitable sector 
and local organizations to address emerging and urgent needs:

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Our contribution to Feed Ontario helped provide the equivalent 
of 450,000 nutritious meals to more than 1,200 hunger-relief 
organizations in more than 130 communities across Ontario. 

 We partnered with Jack.org, to provide free and accessible 
mental health resources to young people across Ontario 
through their Jack Talks program. 

 We provided support to the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack 
Fund as it aims to build cultural understanding and create  
a path toward Reconciliation between Indigenous and  
non-Indigenous peoples. 

 As we became part of Peterborough, Lakefield, Orillia and 
Norwood communities, we proudly supported local charities 
making positive change. This included partnerships with 
Kidsport Ontario to help 150 children in the region access 
quality sport programs and the Kawartha Food Share to fight 
against hunger. 

Power to Give is Hydro One’s employee giving program, 
which is supported annually by over 90 employee 
Ambassadors. In 2021, our employees donated over 
$790,000 to support their local communities. Hydro One’s 
corporate match increased the total contribution of  
Power to Give to approximately $1.4 million. Each and 
every one of us has the Power to Give and it is initiatives 
like these that build, strengthen and energize life in 
communities across Ontario.

7

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Building a More Sustainable, Resilient Grid

for the Future

Hydro One is harnessing the power of innovation to build a more sustainable and 
resilient grid. We are investing in communities across the province to reduce the 
impacts of power outages for our distribution customers by approximately 25% and 
to prepare for climate change.  

Investing in a Better Brighter Future

Driving to Net Zero

Hydro One is helping Ontarians reduce their carbon footprint  
in our collective drive to net zero. Through the Ivy Charging 
Network (Ivy), our joint venture with Ontario Power Generation 
Inc. (OPG), we are building one of Ontario’s largest and most 
connected electric vehicle (EV) charging networks. Ivy joined 
ONroute, the Ministry of Transportation and Canadian Tire 
Corporation to announce the opening of fast-chargers at all 
ONroute locations to offer EV drivers fast-charging stations along 
the province’s busiest highways. We are also partnering with the 
federal government to develop a pilot project1 for heavy-duty 
electric truck charging stations, establishing a model that could 
be used by other utilities and businesses. 

With much of our system built in the 1950s and 1960s, we need 
to renew and replace critical infrastructure in almost every 
community across this province. Our plan will improve service 
for customers, prepare the system for more severe weather 
and better protect small businesses and large manufacturers 
from power outages responsible for millions of dollars in 
lost productivity. 

We improved the System Average Interruption Duration Index 
(SAIDI) of our distribution network by approximately 11% compared 
to our 2020 results, which also resulted in the best distribution 
reliability result in 15 years. We are building a grid for the future by 
deploying smart-switch installations, additional communication 
sensors, devices and storage capacity to serve our customers’ 
needs. The digital transformation of the electricity sector 
enables us to leverage technology to respond more quickly to 
power outages and improve service to customers. Installing 
smart devices in communities across the province has avoided 
approximately 12 million customer minutes of power outages 
in 2021.

We are investing in innovative energy solutions to improve  
power reliability to First Nations and rural customers. We are 
piloting battery energy storage systems to provide backup  
power to households when there is a power outage, improving 
power reliability and the overall customer experience.  

To support the shift to electrification and a low-carbon economy, 
we are also piloting how electric vehicles can become active 
contributors to the grid to increase reliability and cut costs. 
Partnering with Peak Power, we are testing two-way Vehicle- 
to-Home (V2H) charging technology to act as batteries and 
provide back-up electricity. 

1  Hydro One will receive approximately $4.9 million through Natural Resources Canada’s Green Infrastructure – Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration Program to develop this pilot project.

8

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Hydro One’s

Corporate Governance

Hydro One’s Gender-Balanced Independent Board of Directors 

We continue to advance diversity, equity 
and inclusion at all levels of Hydro One 
to better reflect where we work and the 
communities we represent across the 
province. We are fortunate to benefit from 
diverse perspectives, with Indigenous 
representation and gender parity at the 
Board level. The current composition of 
our Independent Non-Executive Board 
Members are five female (50%) and five 
male (50%). We believe this balance 
makes us one of the most gender-
progressive boards in North America, 
reflecting best practices in board diversity 
and surpassing our Catalyst Accord 
commitment to maintaining at least 
30% female board members.  

Strong corporate governance practices 
are the heart of how we manage our day-
to-day operations in the interest of all 
stakeholders. 

Hydro One and its independent Board 
of Directors recognize the importance 
of corporate governance in the 
effective management of the company. 
A governance agreement between 
Hydro One and the Province of Ontario, 
which was executed in advance of the 
November 2015 Initial Public Offering of 
the company, supports strong corporate 
governance centered on independence, 
integrity and accountability which is in 
the best interests of shareholders, and 
promotes and strengthens relationships 
with our customers, employees, the 
communities where we operate and 
other stakeholders.  

Board Gender Diversity2

50%

Female Directors

50%  
Female

50%  
Male

Hydro One’s Board of Directors is 
composed of a diverse and accomplished 
group of independent, proven business 
leaders with deep corporate governance 
experience. The Board’s primary role 
is overseeing corporate performance 
and the quality, depth and continuity 
of management required to meet the 
company’s strategic objectives.  
Hydro One is committed to establishing 
and maintaining best corporate 
governance practices. The company’s 
practices are fully aligned with the rules 
and regulations issued by Canadian 
Securities Administrators and the Toronto 
Stock Exchange.

Board Structure: The Chair is responsible 
for leading the Board of Directors in 
carrying out its duties and responsibilities 
effectively, efficiently and independent 
of management. The Chair is nominated 
and confirmed annually by special 

resolution of the Board. Consistent 
with best practices, Hydro One’s Board 
Chair is separate from the role of 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
and is independent of Hydro One and the 
Province of Ontario.

In 2021, the Board continued to 
enhance its oversight of Hydro One’s 
approach to environmental, social and 
governance (ESG) matters relating to 
the long-term health and sustainability 
of the company. This oversight includes 
reviewing and approving the company’s 
key sustainability priorities and its annual 
sustainability report, which is aligned with 
the Sustainability Accounting Standards 
Board (SASB) and the Global Reporting 
Initiative Standards (GRI), and prepared 
broadly following the recommendations 
of the Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD).  

Board of Directors and Committees (as of February 25, 2022) 
 Chair  • Committee Member

Committees

Timothy Hodgson3 (Chair)

Mark Poweska3 (President & CEO)

Cherie Brant

Blair Cowper-Smith

David Hay

Jessica McDonald

Stacey Mowbray

Russel Robertson

William Sheffield

Melissa Sonberg

Susan Wolburgh Jenah

Audit

Governance & 
Regulatory

Human 
Resources

Indigenous Peoples, 
Safety & Operations

•

•

•

•

•
•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

To learn more about the Directors, committee mandates and composition, go to 
www.HydroOne.com/Investors 

2  Hydro One’s Independent Non-Executive Board Members.
3  Timothy Hodgson and Mark Poweska are not members of any of the Committees, but attend all Committee meetings.

9

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
1

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5

8

3

6

9

10

11

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14

15

16

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18

Board of Directors

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

 Timothy Hodgson, MBA, FCPA, ICD.D  
Corporate Director, Chair of Hydro One 
Limited, Director Public Sector Pension 
Investment Board (PSP Investments) and 
Dialogue Health Technologies. Former 
Director Alignvest Acquisition Corporation, 
Alignvest Acquisition II Corporation, 
Sagicor Financial Corporation, Sagicor 
Group Jamaica, MEG Energy, The Global 
Risk Institute, KGS-Alpha Capital 
Markets, Next Canada, the Ivey School of 
Business and Bridgepoint Health. Retired 
Managing Partner Alignvest Management 
Corporation, Former Special Advisor to 
Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, 
Former CEO Goldman Sachs Canada 

 Cherie Brant, BES, J.D.  
Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, 
Director Toronto-Dominion Bank, 
Anishnawbe Health Foundation, Canadian 
Club of Toronto, Canadian Council 
for Aboriginal Business and Member 
of Aboriginal Education Council for 
Centennial College. Former Director 
Women’s College Hospital, Former Director 
Trillium Gift of Life   

 Blair Cowper-Smith, LLB, LLM, ICD.D 
Principal and founder Erin Park Business 
Solutions, Former Chief Corporate Affairs 
Officer OMERS, Former Senior Partner 
at McCarthy Tetrault LLP. Director Porter 
Airlines, Financial Services Regulatory 
Authority of Ontario and Face the Future 
Foundation. Faculty, Directors College 
McMaster University, DeGroote School of 
Business. Former Public Policy Committee 
Member of the Canadian Coalition for 
Good Governance and Former Member 
of Securities Advisory Committee of the 
Ontario Securities Commission 

 David Hay, LLB, ICD.D  
Managing Director Delgatie Incorporated, 
Former President and CEO New Brunswick 
Power Corporation, Former Vice-Chair and 
Managing Director of CIBC World Markets 
Inc., Director EPCOR Utilities Inc., Council 
Member of the Council for Clean and 
Reliable Energy. Former Director Toronto 
Hydro-Electric System Limited and Former 
Director Associated Electric & Gas Insurance 
Services Limited (AEGIS). Former Chair 
Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Former Chair  
SHAD Canada 

 Jessica McDonald, ICD.D 
Corporate Director with CERT Certificate 
in Cybersecurity Oversight. Former Chair 
& Interim CEO Canada Post Corporation, 
Former President & CEO BC Hydro & Power 
Authority, Director GFL Environmental 
Inc., Coeur Mining Inc., Sustainable 
Development Technology Canada and 
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, Former 
Chair of Powertech Labs, Former Director 
for Powerex, Former Visiting Fellow at 
Stanford’s Center for Energy Policy 
and Finance

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

 Stacey Mowbray, MBA, ICD.D  
Corporate Director, Former President 
North America WW International (formerly 
Weight Watchers), Former President and 
CEO at The Second Cup Ltd. Director 
Currency Exchange International/
Exchange Bank of Canada, Sleep Country 
Canada Holdings Inc., Bonne O Holdings 
and dentalcorp Holdings Ltd. Former 
Director Trillium Health Partners, Second 
Cup Coffee, Liquor Control Board of 
Ontario and Niagara Ventures Corporation 
and Former Chair of the Coffee Association 
of Canada 

 Russel Robertson, FCPA, FCA, ICD 
Corporate Director, Director Bausch 
Health Companies Inc.and Turquoise Hill 
Resources Ltd. Former Director Virtus 
Investment Partners Inc., Former CFO, 
BMO Financial Group, Former Vice-Chair, 
Deloitte & Touche LLP (Canada), Former 
Canadian Managing Partner, Arthur 
Andersen LLP (Canada) 

 William Sheffield, BSC, MBA, ICD.D 
Corporate Director, Director Velan Inc., 
Former CEO Sappi Fine Papers. Former 
Director Houston Wire & Cable Company, 
Canada Post Corporation, Ontario Power 
Generation, Corby Distilleries, Royal Group 
Technologies, Family Enterprise Canada 
and SHAD 

 Melissa Sonberg, BSC, MHA, ICD.D 
Professor of Practice, McGill University, 
Desautels Faculty of Management. 
Director Exchange Income Corporation, 
Athennian and Montreal Children’s Hospital 
Foundation. Former Director Group 
Touchette, Via Rail Canada, MD Financial 
Holdings, Inc., Rideau, Inc., Former 
Senior Vice President, Human Resources 
& Corporate Affairs and Senior Vice 
President, Global Brands, Communications 
and External Affairs at AIMIA 

10.   Susan Wolburgh Jenah, J.D., ICD.D 

Corporate Director, Former President & 
CEO of the Investment Industry Regulatory 
Organization of Canada. Director 
Laurentian Bank of Canada and Aecon 
Group Inc., Vice-Chair Humber River 
Hospital. Member of the Independent 
Review Committee of Vanguard 
Investments Canada. Former Public 
Governor of the U.S. Financial Industry 
Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Former Chair 
of the NEO Exchange, Former Director of 
The Global Risk Institute. Former Vice-
Chair, Acting Chair, General Counsel and 
Head of International Affairs at the Ontario 
Securities Commission. Member of the 
C.D. Howe National Advisory Council and 
Former Mentor to the Catalyst Women on 
Board Program

11.   Mark Poweska, President and CEO of 

Hydro One Limited, Former Executive Vice 
President, Operations at BC Hydro, Chair 
of Ontario Energy Association, Director 
Western Energy Institute 

For detailed biographical information of Hydro One Limited Board 
members, visit www.HydroOne.com/Investors. The biographical 
information of Hydro One Limited Board members is based on 
information available as of February 25, 2022.

Executive Leadership Team

11.  Mark Poweska

President and Chief Executive Officer

15.   Paul Harricks

Chief Legal Officer

12.  Brad Bowness

Chief Information Officer

13.   Jason Fitzsimmons

Chief Corporate Affairs &  
Customer Care Officer

14.   Lyla Garzouzi

Chief Safety Officer

16.   David Lebeter

Chief Operating Officer

17.   Chris Lopez

Chief Financial Officer

18.   Megan Telford

Chief Human Resources Officer 

10 Hydro One Limited  Annual Report 2021

Hydro One’s Business Network & Role in Ontario’s

Electricity System

Our Rate-Regulated Business

Transmission: Our transmission system transmits high-voltage 
electricity from nuclear, hydroelectric, natural gas, wind and 
solar sources to distribution companies and industrial customers 
across Ontario. Our system accounts for approximately 98%3 of 
Ontario’s transmission capacity with approximately 30,000 circuit 
kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines. We also own and 
operate 25 cross-border interconnections with neighbouring 
provinces and the United States, which allows electricity to flow 
into and out of Ontario. 

Distribution: Our distribution system is the largest4 in Ontario.  
It consists of approximately 125,000 circuit kilometres of 
primary low-voltage power lines serving approximately 1.5 million 
customers, mostly in rural areas. As well, Hydro One Remote 
Communities Inc. serves customers in one grid-connected and 
21 off-grid communities in Ontario’s far north. 

Our Other Business

In addition to supporting Hydro One’s regulated business 
segments, Acronym Solutions offers a comprehensive suite 
of information and communications technology (ICT) within 
a number of categories including: Network and Internet; 
Operations; Cloud; Managed Security; and Voice and 
Collaboration, that extend beyond its fibre optic network, in 
a competitive commercial market. We also invested in Ivy, a 
joint venture between Hydro One and OPG, which provides 
EV charging network services. We have also established an Energy 
Management Services business and are providing behind-the-
meter battery energy storage system solutions to commercial and 
industrial customers, in partnership with EDF Renewables.

Our Role as a Transmission and Distribution Company 

Our transmission and distribution system safely and reliably 
serves communities throughout Ontario. Hydro One’s 
transmission business operates and maintains most of the 
high-voltage transmission system that carries electricity from 
generators to local electric utilities or large industrial customers, 
such as manufacturers. 

Through our distribution business, we also operate and maintain 
low-voltage distribution systems that carry electricity from 
transformer stations to distribution stations, to pole-top 
transformers through power lines, and into homes and businesses. 

A mix of private companies and government-owned entities 
generate power for all of Ontario and the sources of power are 
managed by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). 

Electricity Generation Sources

Transformer
(increased to higher voltage)

Transmission System

Transformer
(decreased to medium voltage)

i

i

n
o
s
s
m
s
n
a
r
T

n
o
i
t
u
b
i
r
t
s
D

i

Distribution System

Transformer
(decreased to lower voltage)

m
e
t
s
y
s
r
e
w
o
p
c
i
r
t
c
e
e
o
i
r
a
t
n
O
e
h
t
n

l

i

l

e
o
r
s
’
e
n
O
o
r
d
y
H

Industrial, Commercial and Residential Customers

3  Based on revenue approved by the OEB.
4  Based on customers (per OEB yearbook).

11

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

2

3

Everyone Uses Electricity 
One of the largest electrical 
utilities in North America, with 
significant scale and leadership 
position across Canada’s most 
populated province. 

Strong Balance Sheet
One of the strongest 
investment-grade balance 
sheets in the North 
American utility sector. 

Pure-play Transmission 
and Distribution 
Unique combination of 
electric power transmission 
and local distribution, with no 
power generation assets. 

4

Stable Operations
Stable and growing 
cash flows with 99% 
of revenues fully 
rate-regulated in a 
constructive, transparent 
and collaborative 
regulatory environment. 

Why Invest in 
Hydro One?

Hydro One is a unique low-risk opportunity 
to participate in the transformation of a 
premium large-scale electric utility. 

5

6

Attractive Dividend 
Annualized dividend of  
$1.0652 per share with 
attractive 70%-80% target 
payout ratio.  

Rate Base Expansion
Opportunity for continued 
dividend growth with rate 
base expansion, continued 
consolidation and 
efficiency realization. 

7

Transparent ESG 
Reporting 
Transparency in our 
environmental, social and 
governance reporting 
with public policies and 
sustainability targets. 

8

Financial Performance 
Predictable self-funding 
organic growth profile with 
expanding rate base and 
strong cash flows, together 
with broad support for 
refurbishment of aging 
infrastructure. No external 
equity required to fund 
planned growth.

5  Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for 2022 to 2027. Subject to change upon OEB approval of Joint Rate Application for 2023-2027.

12 Hydro One Limited  Annual Report 2021

Financial Highlights

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars, except as otherwise noted)

Revenues

Purchased power
Revenues, net of purchased power1

Operation, maintenance and administration (OM&A) costs

Depreciation, amortization and asset removal costs

Financing charges

Income tax expense (recovery)

Net income to common shareholders of Hydro One
Adjusted net income to common shareholders of Hydro One1

Basic earnings per common share (EPS)

Diluted EPS
Basic adjusted non-GAAP EPS (Adjusted EPS)1
Diluted Adjusted EPS1

Net cash from operating activities
Funds from operations (FFO)1

Capital investments

Assets placed in-service

Transmission: Average monthly Ontario 60-minute peak demand (MW)

Distribution: Electricity distributed to Hydro One customers (GWh)

As at December 31

Debt to capitalization ratio2

2021

7,225

3,579

3,646

1,112

922

461

178

965

965

$  1.61

$  1.61

$  1.61

$  1.61

2,149

2,041

2,125

1,757

19,915

29,966

2021

56.5%

2020

7,290

3,854

3,436

1,070

884

471

(785)

1,770

903

$  2.96

$  2.95

$  1.51

$  1.51

2,030

1,830

1,878

1,639

20,091

28,379

2020

56.3%

1 

The Company prepares and presents its financial statements in accordance with United States (US) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company also utilizes non-GAAP financial measures  
to assess its business and measure overall underlying business performance. Adjusted net income, Adjusted EPS (basic and diluted), FFO and Revenues, net of purchased power are non-GAAP financial measures. 
Non-GAAP financial measures do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP, which is used to prepare the Company’s financial statements and might not be comparable to similar financial measures presented  
by other entities. See the section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a discussion of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of such measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

2  Debt to capitalization ratio is a non-GAAP ratio. Non-GAAP ratios do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP, which is used to prepare the Company’s financial statements and might not be comparable to 

similar financial measures presented by other entities. The Debt to capitalization ratio has been calculated as total debt (including total long-term debt and short-term borrowings, net of cash and cash equivalents) 
divided by total debt plus total shareholders’ equity, but excluding any amounts related to noncontrolling interest. Additional disclosure for this non-GAAP ratio is incorporated by reference herein and can be found 
under the section titled “Non-GAAP Measures” in the Annual MD&A available on SEDAR under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com

Total Assets
$30.4b

Rate Base
$22.6b

Revenues1 
(Net of purchased  
power costs)

$3.6b

Regulated Earnings 
(Before financing charges  
and income taxes)

$1.6b

2%

60%

39%

61%

1%

50%

42%

58%

38%

49%

Transmission

Distribution

Other

Total Shareholder Return 
(TSR) 
January 1, 2021 to  
December 31, 2021

Hydro One

S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index

+11.6%

S&P/TSX Composite Index

S&P 500 Electric Utilities Index

S&P 500 Index

+18.9%

+19.4%

+25.2%

+28.7%

This report contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the 
industry in which we operate, and includes beliefs and assumptions made by the management of Hydro One. Such information includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to: Hydro One’s 2023-2027 Joint Rate 
Application and its five-year Investment Plan, expected outcomes and impacts; Hydro One’s commitments, including to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 with a 30% reduction by 2030, to Indigenous communities 
and businesses including increasing Indigenous procurement spend, to becoming the safest and most efficient utility, and to diversity, equity and inclusion; Hydro One’s investments in infrastructure, technology and 
innovation to build a more sustainable and resilient grid, and expected outcomes; Hydro One’s stable and growing cash flows, organic growth profile, expanding rate base, and expectations regarding funding of planned 
growth; Hydro One’s strategy and focus, including anticipated outcomes and impacts; and dividends. Words such as “expect” and “will” are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are 
not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or 
forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by such forward-looking information, 
including some of the assumptions used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro One Limited’s and Hydro One Inc.’s filings with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available on 
SEDAR at www.sedar.com. We do not intend, and we disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

All figures in this document are approximate figures that are rounded to the nearest decimal place.

Hydro One Limited  Annual Report 2021

13

Financial Report

Contents 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

15

51

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  57

Corporate and Shareholder Information 

103

14 Hydro One Limited  Annual Report 2021

14

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Management’s Discussion and Analysis

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) of the 
financial condition and results of operations should be read together 
with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes 
thereto (together the Consolidated Financial Statements) of Hydro One 
Limited (Hydro One or the Company) for the year ended December 31, 
2021. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in 
accordance with United States (US) Generally Accepted Accounting 
Principles (GAAP). All financial information in this MD&A is presented in 
Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. 

Consolidated Financial Highlights and Statistics 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars, except as otherwise noted)

Revenues

Purchased power
Revenues, net of purchased power1

Operation, maintenance and administration (OM&A) costs

Depreciation, amortization and asset removal costs

Financing charges

Income tax expense (recovery)

Net income to common shareholders of Hydro One
Adjusted net income to common shareholders of Hydro One1

Basic earnings per common share (EPS)

Diluted EPS
Basic Adjusted EPS1
Diluted Adjusted EPS1

Net cash from operating activities
Funds from operations (FFO)1

Capital investments

Assets placed in-service

Transmission: Average monthly Ontario 60-minute peak demand (MW)

Distribution: Electricity distributed to Hydro One customers (GWh)

Debt to capitalization ratio2

The Company has prepared this MD&A in accordance with National 
Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations of the Canadian 
Securities Administrators. Under the US/Canada Multijurisdictional 
Disclosure System, the Company is permitted to prepare this MD&A in 
accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canadian securities 
laws and regulations, which can vary from those of the US. This MD&A 
provides information as at and for the year ended December 31, 2021, 
based on information available to management as of February 24, 2022. 

2021

7,225

3,579

3,646

1,112

922

461

178

965

965

$  1.61

$  1.61

$  1.61

$  1.61

2,149

2,041

2,125

1,757

19,915

29,966

2021

56.5%

2020

7,290

3,854

3,436

1,070

884

471

(785)

1,770

903

$  2.96

$  2.95

$  1.51

$  1.51

2,030

1,830

1,878

1,639

20,091

28,379

2020

56.3%

Change

(0.9%)

(7.1%)

6.1%

3.9%

4.3%

(2.1%)

122.7%

(45.5%)

6.9%

(45.6%)

(45.4%)

6.6%

6.6%

5.9%

11.5%

13.2%

7.2%

(0.9%)

5.6%

1  The Company prepares and presents its financial statements in accordance with US GAAP. The Company also utilizes non-GAAP financial measures to assess its business and measure 

overall underlying business performance. Adjusted net income, Adjusted EPS (basic and diluted), FFO and Revenues, net of purchased power are non-GAAP financial measures. 
Non-GAAP financial measures do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP, which is used to prepare the Company’s financial statements and might not be comparable to similar 
financial measures presented by other entities. See the section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a discussion of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of such 
measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

2  Debt to capitalization ratio is a non-GAAP ratio. Non-GAAP ratios do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP, which is used to prepare the Company’s financial statements and 
might not be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other entities. See the section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a discussion of this non-GAAP ratio and its 
component elements. 

15

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Overview
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Hydro One Inc., Hydro One 
is Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. 
Hydro One owns and operates substantially all of Ontario’s electricity 
transmission network and is the largest electricity distributor in Ontario 
by number of customers. The Company’s regulated transmission and 
distribution operations are owned by Hydro One Inc. Hydro One delivers 

electricity safely and reliably to approximately 1.5 million customers across 
the province of Ontario, and to large industrial customers and municipal 
utilities. Hydro One Inc. owns and operates approximately 30,000 circuit 
kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines and approximately 125,000 
circuit kilometres of primary low-voltage distribution lines. Hydro One has 
three segments: (i) transmission; (ii) distribution; and (iii) other. 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, Hydro One’s segments accounted for the Company’s total revenues, net of purchased power1, 
as follows: 

Year ended December 31

Transmission

Distribution

Other

As at December 31, 2021 and 2020, Hydro One’s segments accounted for the Company’s total assets as follows: 

Year ended December 31

Transmission

Distribution

Other

2021

50%

49%

1%

2021

60%

38%

2%

2020

51%

48%

1%

2020

58%

38%

4%

1  Revenues, net of purchased power, is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

Transmission Segment
Hydro One’s transmission business owns, operates and maintains 
Hydro One's transmission system, which accounts for approximately 
98% of Ontario’s transmission capacity based on revenue approved 
by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). As at December 31, 2021, the 
Company's transmission business consists of the transmission system 
operated by subsidiaries of Hydro One Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary 
of the Company), Hydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro One Networks) and 
Hydro One Sault Ste. Marie LP (HOSSM), as well as an approximately 

66% interest in B2M Limited Partnership (B2M LP), a limited partnership 
between Hydro One and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), and 
an approximately 55% interest in Niagara Reinforcement Limited 
Partnership (NRLP), a limited partnership between Hydro One and 
Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation and the 
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (collectively, the First Nations 
Partners). The Company’s transmission business is rate-regulated and 
earns revenues mainly by charging transmission rates that are approved 
by the OEB. 

As at and for the year ended December 31

Electricity transmitted1 (MWh)

Transmission lines spanning the province (circuit-kilometres)

Rate base (millions of dollars)

Capital investments (millions of dollars)

Assets placed in-service (millions of dollars)

1   Electricity transmitted represents total electricity transmitted in Ontario by all transmitters. 

2021

2020

133,844,210

132,225,424

30,023

13,745

1,320

1,008

30,093

13,185

1,157

948

Distribution Segment
Hydro One’s distribution business is the largest in Ontario and consists 
of the distribution system operated by Hydro One Inc.'s subsidiaries, 
Hydro One Networks, inclusive of the distribution system of Orillia 
Power Distribution Corporation (Orillia Power) and the business and 

distribution assets of Peterborough Distribution Inc., (Peterborough 
Distribution) and Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. (Hydro One 
Remote Communities). The Company’s distribution business is 
rate-regulated and earns revenues mainly by charging distribution rates 
that are approved by the OEB.

As at and for the year ended December 31

Electricity distributed to Hydro One customers (GWh)
Electricity distributed through Hydro One lines (GWh)1

Distribution lines spanning the province (circuit-kilometres)

Distribution customers (number of customers)

Rate base (millions of dollars)

Capital investments (millions of dollars)

Assets placed in-service (millions of dollars)

2021

29,966

40,433

124,825

1,476,491

8,854

787

738

2020

28,379

39,131

124,571

1,449,629

8,505

712

684

1  Units distributed through Hydro One lines represent total distribution system requirements and include electricity distributed to consumers who purchased power directly from the 

Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

16

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 20212021 Distribution Revenues

Residential  56%

General Service  28%

Large Users  9%

Embedded Distributors  7%

Other Segment
Hydro One's other segment consists principally of its 
telecommunications business, which provides telecommunications 
support for the Company’s transmission and distribution businesses,  
as well as certain corporate activities.

The telecommunication business is carried out by Hydro One's wholly-
owned subsidiary Acronym Solutions Inc. (Acronym Solutions), formerly 
Hydro One Telecom Inc. In addition to supporting Hydro One's regulated 
business segments, Acronym Solutions offers a comprehensive suite 
of Information Communications Technology solutions within a number 
of categories including: Network and Internet; Operations; Cloud; 
Managed Security; and Voice and Collaboration, that extend beyond 
its fibre optic network, in a competitive commercial market. Acronym 
Solutions is not regulated by the OEB, however Acronym Solutions is 
registered with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications 
Commission as a non-dominant, facilities-based carrier, providing 
broadband telecommunications services in Ontario with connections to 
Montreal, Quebec; Buffalo, New York; and Detroit, Michigan.

Hydro One's other segment also includes the deferred tax asset which 
arose from the revaluation of the tax bases of Hydro One’s assets to 
fair market value when the Company transitioned from the provincial 
payments in lieu of tax regime to the federal tax regime at the time of 
the Company’s initial public offering in 2015. Furthermore, Hydro One's 
other segment also includes a joint venture that owns and operates 
electric vehicle fast charging stations across Ontario under the 
Ivy Charging Network brand, as well as certain corporate activities,  
and is not rate-regulated. 

Primary Factors Affecting Results of Operations

Transmission Revenues 
Transmission revenues primarily consist of regulated transmission 
rates approved by the OEB which are charged based on the monthly 
peak electricity demand across Hydro One’s high-voltage network. 
Transmission rates are designed to generate revenues necessary to 
construct, upgrade, extend and support a transmission system with 
sufficient capacity to accommodate maximum forecasted demand 
and a regulated return on the Company’s investment. Peak electricity 
demand is primarily influenced by weather and economic conditions. 
Transmission revenues also include export revenues associated with 
transmitting electricity to markets outside of Ontario as well as ancillary 
revenues associated with providing maintenance services to power 
generators and from third-party land use. 

Distribution Revenues
Distribution revenues primarily consist of regulated distribution rates 
approved by the OEB, as well as the recovery of purchased power 
costs. Distribution rates are designed to generate revenues necessary 
to construct and support the local distribution system with sufficient 
capacity to accommodate existing and new customer demand and a 
regulated return on the Company’s investment. Accordingly, distribution 
revenues are influenced by distribution rates, the cost of purchased 
power, and the amount of electricity the Company distributes. 
Distribution revenues also include ancillary distribution service revenues, 
such as fees related to the joint use of Hydro One’s distribution poles 
by the telecommunications and cable television industries, as well as 
miscellaneous revenues such as charges for late payments. 

Purchased Power Costs
Purchased power costs are incurred by the distribution business and 
represent the cost of the electricity purchased by the Company for 
delivery to customers within Hydro One’s distribution service territory. 
These costs are comprised of: (i) the wholesale commodity cost of 
energy; (ii) the Global Adjustment, which is the difference between the 
guaranteed price and the money the generators earn in the wholesale 
marketplace; and (iii) the wholesale market service and transmission 
charges levied by the IESO. Hydro One passes on the cost of electricity 
that it delivers to its customers, and is therefore not exposed to 
wholesale electricity commodity price risk. 

Operation, Maintenance and Administration Costs
OM&A costs are incurred to support the operation and maintenance 
of the transmission and distribution systems, and include other 
costs such as property taxes related to transmission and distribution 
stations and buildings, and the operation of information technology 
(IT) systems. Transmission OM&A costs are required to sustain the 
Company’s high-voltage transmission stations, lines, and rights-of-way, 
and include preventive and corrective maintenance costs related to 
power equipment, overhead transmission lines, transmission station 
sites, and forestry control to maintain safe distances between line 
spans and trees. Distribution OM&A costs are required to maintain the 
Company’s low-voltage distribution system to provide safe and reliable 
electricity to the Company's residential, small business, commercial, and 
industrial customers across the province. These include costs related to 
distribution line clearing and forestry control to reduce power outages 
caused by trees, line maintenance and repair, land assessment and 
remediation, as well as issuing timely and accurate bills and responding 
to customer inquiries. 

Hydro One manages its costs through ongoing efficiency and 
productivity initiatives, while continuing to complete planned work 
programs associated with the development and maintenance of its 
transmission and distribution networks. 

Depreciation, Amortization and Asset Removal Costs
Depreciation and amortization costs relate primarily to depreciation 
of the Company’s property, plant and equipment, and amortization of 
certain intangible assets and regulatory assets. Asset removal costs 
consist of costs incurred to remove property, plant and equipment 
where no asset retirement obligations have been recorded on the 
balance sheet. 

17

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Financing Charges
Financing charges relate to the Company’s financing activities, and 
include interest expense on the Company’s long-term debt and 
short-term borrowings, as well as gains and losses on interest rate swap 
agreements, foreign exchange or other similar contracts, net of interest 
earned on short-term investments. A portion of financing charges 
incurred by the Company is capitalized to the cost of property, plant 
and equipment associated with the periods during which such assets 
are under construction before being placed in-service. 

Results of Operations

Net Income
Net income attributable to common shareholders of Hydro One for 
the year ended December 31, 2021 of $965 million is a decrease of 
$805 million, or 45.5%, from the prior year. Significant influences on net 
income attributable to common shareholders of Hydro One included: 

 ● higher revenues, net of purchased power2, primarily resulting from: 

 — an increase in distribution revenues, net of purchased power2, 
primarily due to OEB-approved distribution rates, recovery 
of deferred tax asset (DTA) amounts (DTA Recovery Amounts) 
pursuant to the April 2021 OEB decision (DTA Implementation 
Decision), and the temporary suspension of late payment 
charges in the prior year, which were accompanied by the 
Company's efforts to help customers access relief programs, 
including flexible payment options; and 

 — an increase in transmission revenues mainly due to 

OEB-approved 2021 transmission rates and DTA Recovery 
Amounts pursuant to the DTA Implementation Decision, 
partially offset by the recognition of Conservation and Demand 
Management (CDM) revenues in the prior year following receipt 
of the 2020 OEB Decision on transmission rates as well as higher 
regulatory adjustments. 

 ● higher OM&A costs primarily resulting from: 

 — higher work program expenditures including IT initiatives, 

emergency restoration efforts, and vegetation management; 

 — higher project write-offs in 2021; and 

 — lower insurance proceeds received in 2021; partially offset by

 — lower costs related to COVID-19. 

Revenues 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars, except as otherwise noted)

Transmission

Distribution

Other

Total revenues

Transmission
Distribution revenues, net of purchased power1

Other
Total revenues, net of purchased power1

 ● higher depreciation, amortization and asset removal costs due to 
growth in capital assets as the Company continues to place new 
assets in-service, consistent with its ongoing capital investment 
program, as well as higher environmental spend and higher asset 
removal cost. 

 ● higher income tax expense primarily attributable to: 

 — income tax recovery recorded in the prior year following the July 
2020 decision of the Ontario Divisional Court (ODC Decision); 

 — income tax expense relating to the DTA Recovery Amounts 

pursuant to the DTA Implementation Decision; and 

 — higher pre-tax earnings and lower net deductible 

timing differences. 

Further contributing to the year-over-year impact on net income 
attributable to common shareholders was the redemption of the Series 1 
Preferred Shares announced in the third quarter of the prior year.

Included in the Company's results for the year ended December 31, 2021 
are costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Total COVID-19 
related costs of $15 million (2020 - $50 million) consist primarily 
of additional janitorial fees and facility-related cleaning supplies to 
facilitate more frequent cleaning of our buildings and offices, as well 
as hand sanitizer and rapid-antigen tests to help reduce the spread 
of the virus. The prior year costs also included costs associated with 
the temporary stand-down of the Company's workforce as well as the 
impact of incremental bad debt provisions. For additional disclosure 
related to the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's operations 
for the year ended December 31, 2021, please see section “Other 
Developments - COVID-19”. 

EPS and Adjusted EPS
EPS was $1.61 for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 
EPS of $2.96 in 2020. The decrease in EPS was primarily driven by the 
impact of lower earnings year over year, as noted above. Adjusted EPS3, 
which adjusts for impacts of the ODC Decision, was $1.61 for the year 
ended December 31, 2021 compared to $1.51 in 2020. The increase in 
Adjusted EPS was driven by changes in net income for the year ended 
December 31, 2021, as discussed above, but excluding the impacts of 
the ODC Decision. 

2 

3 

 Revenues, net of purchased power, is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the section 
“Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

 Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the section "Non-GAAP Financial 
Measures".

2021

1,824

5,359

42

7,225

1,824

1,780

42

3,646

2020

1,740

5,507

43

7,290

1,740

1,653

43

3,436

Change

4.8%

(2.7%)

(2.3%)

(0.9%)

4.8%

7.7%

(2.3%)

6.1%

(0.9%)

5.6%

Transmission:  Average monthly Ontario 60-minute peak demand (MW)

Distribution: 

Electricity distributed to Hydro One customers (GWh)

19,915

29,966

20,091

28,379

1  Revenues, net of purchased power is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”. 

18

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Transmission Revenues
Transmission revenues increased by 4.8% during the year ended 
December 31, 2021, primarily due to the following: 

Distribution Revenues, Net of Purchased Power
Distribution revenues, net of purchased power4, increased by 7.7% 
during the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to the following: 

 ● higher revenues resulting from OEB-approved 2021 rates; 

 ● higher revenues resulting from OEB-approved 2021 rates; 

 ● higher revenues associated with DTA Recovery Amounts pursuant to 

 ● higher revenues associated with the DTA Recovery Amounts 

the DTA Implementation Decision; and

 ● higher peak demand; partially offset by

 ●

the recognition of CDM revenues in the prior year as a result of the 
OEB decision on 2020 rates; and 

 ● higher regulatory adjustments. 

OM&A Costs

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Transmission

Distribution

Other

pursuant to the DTA Implementation Decision;

 ● higher revenues year-over-year following the temporary suspension 
of late payment charges in the prior year, which were accompanied 
by the Company's efforts to help customers access relief programs, 
including flexible payment options; 

 ● distribution revenues related to the Peterborough Distribution and 
Orillia Power acquisitions which closed during the third quarter of 
2020; and

 ● higher energy consumption.

4 

 Revenues, net of purchased power, is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the section 
“Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

2021

397

658

57

1,112

2020

391

619

60

1,070

Change

1.5%

6.3%

(5.0%)

3.9%

Transmission OM&A Costs
Transmission OM&A costs increased by 1.5% for the year ended 
December 31, 2021, primarily due to the following: 

Financing Charges
Financing charges decreased by $10 million, or 2.1%, for the year ended 
December 31, 2021, primarily due to: 

 ● higher project write-offs;

 ●

lower insurance proceeds received in 2021; and

 ● higher work program expenditures related to IT initiatives and a 

higher volume of work on vegetation management; partially offset by

 ●

 ●

lower corporate support costs;

lower other post-employment benefit (OPEB) costs that are 
recognized in OM&A following the 2020-2022 OEB transmission 
decision and recovered through rates and therefore net 
income neutral; and 

 ●

lower COVID-19 related expenditures. 

Distribution OM&A Costs
Distribution OM&A costs increased by 6.3% for the year ended 
December 31, 2021, primarily due to: 

 ● higher work program expenditures related to emergency power 

restoration efforts, a higher volume of work on vegetation 
management execution, IT initiatives and customer care initiatives;

 ●

incremental costs of the Peterborough Distribution and Orillia Power 
operations; and

 ● higher corporate support costs; partially offset by

 ●

 ●

lower COVID-19 related expenditures; and 

lower bad debt expense. 

Depreciation, Amortization and Asset Removal Costs
Depreciation, amortization and asset removal costs increased by 
$38 million, or 4.3%, in 2021, primarily due to growth in capital assets as 
the Company continues to place new assets in-service, consistent with 
its ongoing capital investment program, as well as higher environmental 
spend and higher asset removal costs. 

 ●

the recognition of carrying charges associated with the 
DTA Recovery Amounts pursuant to the DTA Implementation 
Decision; and 

 ● higher capitalized interest due to higher average balance of assets 

under construction; partially offset by 

 ● higher interest expense on long-term debt due to higher debt levels; 

and

 ● higher realized losses on cash flow hedges.

Income Tax Expense
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. 
Current taxes are recorded based on the taxes expected to be paid in 
respect of the current and prior years’ taxable income. Deferred tax 
assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences 
attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement 
carrying amounts and the respective tax basis of assets and liabilities 
including carry forward unused tax losses and credits. 

As prescribed by the regulators, the Company recovers income 
taxes in revenues from ratepayers based on estimate of current tax 
expense in respect of regulated operations. The amounts of deferred 
income taxes related to regulated operations, which are considered 
to be more likely-than-not of recovery from, or refund to, ratepayers 
in future periods are recognized as deferred income tax regulatory 
assets or liabilities, with an offset to deferred tax expense. Therefore 
the consolidated tax expense or recovery for the current period is 
based on the total current and deferred tax expense or recovery, net of 
the regulatory accounting offset to deferred tax expense arising from 
temporary differences recoverable from or refundable to customers in 
the future. 

19

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Income tax expense was $178 million for the year ended December 31, 
2021, compared to income tax recovery of $785 million in 2020. 
The $963 million increase in income tax expense for the year ended 
December 31, 2021 was primarily attributable to the $867 million 
income tax recovery recognized in the prior year following the ODC 
Decision. Once adjusted for the impact of the ODC Decision, the 
Adjusted income tax expense5 for the year ended December 31, 2020 
was $82 million.

The $96 million increase in Adjusted income tax expense5 for the year 
ended December 31, 2021 compared to the prior year was principally 
attributable to:

 ●

tax expense relating to the DTA Recovery Amounts pursuant 
to the OEB’s DTA Implementation Decision, which is offset by a 
corresponding increase in revenue and is net income neutral; 

 ● higher pre-tax earnings; and 

 ●

lower net deductible timing differences.

The Company realized an effective tax rate (ETR) of approximately 15.5% 
for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to approximately (77.6%) 
realized in 2020. The prior year ETR, once adjusted for the impact of the 
ODC Decision (Adjusted ETR)5, was 8.1%. 

5 

 Adjusted income tax expenses and Adjusted ETR are non-GAAP financial measures. 
Non-GAAP financial measures do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP, which 
is used to prepare the Company’s financial statements and might not be comparable 
to similar financial measures presented by other entities. See the section “Non-GAAP 
Financial Measures” for a discussion of this non-GAAP financial measures and a 
reconciliation of such measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. 

Common Share Dividends
In 2021, the Company declared and paid cash dividends to common shareholders as follows: 

Date Declared

February 23, 2021

May 6, 2021

August 9, 2021

November 8, 2021

Record Date

March 17, 2021

June 9, 2021

September 8, 2021

December 8, 2021

Payment Date

March 31, 2021

June 30, 2021

September 30, 2021

December 31, 2021

Amount 
per Share

Total Amount
(millions of dollars)

$  0.2536

$  0.2663

$  0.2663

$  0.2663

152

159

159

159

629 

Following the conclusion of the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company declared a cash dividend to common shareholders as follows: 

Date Declared

February 24, 2022

Record Date

March 16, 2022

Payment Date

March 31, 2022

Amount 
per Share

Total Amount
(millions of dollars)

$  0.2663

159

Selected Annual Financial Statistics

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars, except per share amounts)

Revenues

Net income (loss) to common shareholders of Hydro One

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS

Basic Adjusted EPS1

Diluted Adjusted EPS1

Dividends per common share declared

Dividends per preferred share declared2

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Total assets

Total non-current financial liabilities3

2021

7,225

965

$  1.61

$  1.61

$  1.61

$  1.61

$  1.05

n/a

2021

30,383

13,066 

2020

7,290 

1,770 

$  2.96

$  2.95

$  1.51

$  1.51

$  1.00

$  1.20

2020

30,294 

12,813 

2019

6,480 

778 

$  1.30

$  1.30

$  1.54

$  1.53

$  0.96

$  1.06

2019

27,061 

10,897 

1  Adjusted EPS (basic and diluted) are non-GAAP financial measures. See the section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”. 

2  Preferred dividends per share are calculated using the weighted average number of preferred shares outstanding during each year. The preferred share dividends paid in 2020 and 

2019 were $18 million. All the preferred shares were redeemed on November 20, 2020. See section “Share Capital” for details. 

3  Total non-current financial liabilities include long-term debt, long-term lease obligations, derivative liabilities, and long-term accounts payable. 

20

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Net Income - 2020 compared to 2019 
Net income attributable to common shareholders for the year ended 
December 31, 2020 of $1,770 million is an increase of $992 million, 
or 127.5%, from the prior year. Significant influences on net 
income included: 

 ●

lower financing charges primarily resulting from financing costs 
related to the Merger incurred in the first quarter of 2019; partially 
offset by an increase in interest expense on long-term debt due to 
increased debt levels in 2020.

 ● higher income tax recovery primarily attributable to: 

 ● higher revenues, net of purchased power6, primarily resulting from: 

 — income tax recovery recorded following the ODC Decision; 

 — an increase in transmission revenues primarily due to the OEB's 

decision on 2020 rates; partially offset by 

 — a decrease in distribution revenues, net of purchased power6, 

mainly due to 2018 foregone revenue recognized in March 2019 
following the receipt of the OEB decision on rates; partially 
offset by the OEB's decision on 2020 rates and revenues related 
to the Peterborough Distribution and Orillia Power acquisitions 
which closed during the third quarter of 2020. 

 ●

lower OM&A costs primarily resulting from: 

 — the payment of the termination fee in 2019 related to the 

terminated acquisition of Avista Corporation (Merger); and 

 — lower vegetation management and work program expenditures, 

and the 2019 write-off of the Lake Superior Link project; 
partially offset by

 — costs related to COVID-19;

 — additional OPEB costs that are recognized in OM&A following 
the 2020-2022 OEB transmission decision and recovered in 
rates, therefore net income neutral; and

 — lower insurance proceeds received in 2020. 

Quarterly Results of Operations

partially offset by

 — 2019 income tax recovery following the payment of the 

termination fee and financing charges related to the Merger; and

 — lower incremental tax deductions and deductible 

temporary differences. 

EPS and Adjusted EPS - 2020 compared to 2019 
EPS was $2.96 for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to 
EPS of $1.30 in 2019. The increase in EPS was driven by higher earnings 
for the year ended December 31, 2020, as discussed above. Adjusted 
EPS7, which excludes the impacts of the income tax recovery related to 
the ODC Decision received in 2020, as well as income and costs related 
to the Merger in 2019, was $1.51 for the year ended December 31, 2020, 
compared to $1.54 in 2019. The decrease in Adjusted EPS was driven 
by changes in net income for the year ended December 31, 2020, as 
discussed above, but excluding the impacts of the Merger and the ODC 
Decision. See section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for description of 
Adjusted EPS and Adjusted net income. 

6 

7 

 Revenues, net of purchased power, is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the section 
“Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

 Adjusted EPS, is a non-GAAP financial measure.  See the section “Non-GAAP 
Financial Measures”.

Quarter ended 
(millions of dollars, except EPS and ratio)

Revenues

Purchased power

Revenues, net of purchased power1

Net income to common 

shareholders

Adjusted net income to common 

shareholders1

Dec 31, 2021

Sep 30, 2021

Jun 30, 2021

Mar 31, 2021

Dec 31, 2020 Sep 30, 2020

Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020

1,779

1,913

1,722

1,811

914

865

159

159

933

980

300

300

838

884

238

238

894

917

268

268

1,867

1,046

821

161

161

1,903

1,670

993

910

281

281

808

862

1,103

236

1,850

1,007

843

225

225

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS
Basic Adjusted EPS1
Diluted Adjusted EPS1

$  0.27

$  0.26

$  0.27

$  0.26

$  0.50

$  0.50

$  0.50

$  0.50

$  0.40

$  0.40

$  0.40

$  0.40

$  0.45

$  0.45

$  0.45

$  0.45

$  0.27

$  0.27

$  0.27

$  0.27

$  0.47

$  0.47

$  0.47

$  0.47

$  1.84

$  1.84

$  0.39

$  0.39

$  0.38

$  0.38

$  0.38

$  0.38

Earnings coverage ratio2

3.1

3.1

3.0

2.9

2.8

2.9

n/a

n/a

1  Revenues, net of purchased power, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS (basic and diluted) are non-GAAP financial measures. See the section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

2  Earnings coverage ratio is a non-GAAP ratio. Non-GAAP ratios do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP, which is used to prepare the Company’s financial statements and  
might not be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other entities. See the section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a discussion of this non-GAAP ratio and its 
component elements.

Variations in revenues and net income over the quarters are primarily due to the impact of seasonal weather conditions on customer demand and 
market pricing, as well as timing of regulatory decisions. 

21

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Capital Investments
The Company makes capital investments to maintain the safety, reliability and integrity of its transmission and distribution system assets and to 
provide for the ongoing growth and modernization required to meet the expanding and evolving needs of its customers and the electricity market. 
This is achieved through a combination of sustaining capital investments, which are required to support the continued operation of Hydro One’s 
existing assets, and development capital investments, which involve additions to both existing assets and large-scale projects such as new 
transmission lines and transmission stations. 

Assets Placed In-Service
The following table presents Hydro One’s assets placed in-service during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Transmission

Distribution

Other

Total assets placed in-service

2021

1,008

738

11

1,757

2020

948

684

7

1,639

Change

6.3%

7.9%

57.1%

7.2%

Transmission Assets Placed In-Service
Transmission assets placed in-service increased by $60 million or 6.3% 
during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended 
December 31, 2020, primarily due to the following: 

Distribution Assets Placed In-Service
Distribution assets placed in-service increased by $54 million or 7.9% 
during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended 
December 31, 2020, primarily due to the following: 

 ●

substantial completion of the new Ontario grid control centre in the 
City of Orillia in the current year;

 ●

substantial completion of the new Ontario grid control centre in the 
City of Orillia in the current year;

 ● higher volume of work required to adhere to the North American 
Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure 
Protection standards placed in-service; and

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

timing of assets placed in-service (including the East-West 
Tie Connection, Stanley transmission station, and the new 
shunter reactors at Lennox transmission station, partially offset 
by Lennox transmission station, Elgin transmission station, 
Sheppard transmission station and Gage transmission station); 
partially offset by 

the placement in-service of the High-Voltage Underground  
Cable replacement in Toronto in 2020; 

lower spend on spare transformer purchases; and

lower volume of assets placed in-service for IT projects. 

 ● higher volume of work on customer connections and wood poles;

 ● higher volume of work on station refurbishments and replacements; 

and

 ● higher volume of storm-related asset replacements; 

partially offset by 

 ●

 ●

 ●

lower volume of assets placed in-service for IT projects; 

completion of the Woodstock Operation Centre in 2020; and 

timing of assets placed in-service for system capability 
reinforcement projects.

Capital Investments
The following table presents Hydro One’s capital investments during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

2021

2020

Change

Transmission

  Sustaining

  Development

  Other

Distribution

  Sustaining

  Development

  Other

Other

Total capital investments

906

296

118

1,320

335

332

120

787

18

819

226

112

1,157

317

289

106

712

9

2,125

1,878

10.6%

31.0%

5.4%

14.1%

5.7%

14.9%

13.2%

10.5%

100.0%

13.2%

Total 2021 capital investments of $2,125 million were largely in-line with the previously disclosed expected amount of $2,092 million. 

22

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Transmission Capital Investments
Transmission capital investments increased by $163 million or 
14.1% in the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year 
ended December 31, 2020. Principal impacts on the levels of capital 
investments included: 

 ● higher volume of station refurbishments and replacements;

 ● higher investments in multi-year development projects (including; 
the new Lakeshore switching station, transformer replacement 
and upgrade at St. Lawrence transmission station, and Barrie 
area transmission upgrade, partially offset by the East-West Tie 
Connection); 

 ● higher spend on line refurbishments and wood pole replacements;

 ● higher volume of work on customer connections; and 

 ●

investment in the new Ontario grid control centre in the City of 
Orillia; partially offset by 

 ●

lower volume of spare transformer purchases, demand capital 
related to equipment failures, power quality and risk mitigation 
projects and facility sustainment investments. 

Distribution Capital Investments
Distribution capital investments increased by $75 million or 10.5% 
in the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended 
December 31, 2020. Principal impacts on the levels of capital 
investments included: 

 ● higher volume of work on customer connections;

 ● higher investments in system capability reinforcement projects; 

 ● higher volume of wood pole replacements; 

 ●

investment in the new Ontario grid control centre in the 
City of Orillia; and

 ● higher volume of storm-related asset replacements; 

partially offset by 

 ●

completion of the Woodstock Operation Centre in 2020. 

Anticipated  
In-Service Date

Estimated 
Cost

Capital Cost  
To Date

(year)
2022

(millions of dollars)
13
33

Major Transmission Capital Investment Projects
The following table summarizes the status of significant transmission projects as at December 31, 2021: 

Project Name

Location

Type

181

682

Development Projects:
Wataynikaneyap Power LP  

Line Connection
East-West Tie Station  

Expansion

Pickle Lake  

New stations and transmission 

Northwestern Ontario

connection

Northern Ontario

New transmission connection 

20231

and station expansion

Waasigan Transmission Line

Thunder Bay-Atikokan-Dryden 

New transmission line

20242

Northwestern Ontario

Leamington Area Transmission 

Leamington Southwestern Ontario New transmission line 

20263,4

5253,4

Reinforcement3,4
Sustainment Projects:
Richview Transmission Station 

Toronto  

Station sustainment

and stations

Circuit Breaker Replacement5

Southwestern Ontario

Bruce A Transmission Station5
Beck #2 Transmission Station 
Circuit Breaker Replacement
Cherrywood Transmission Station 
Circuit Breaker Replacement
Bruce B Switching Station Circuit 

Breaker Replacement

Middleport Transmission Station 
Circuit Breaker Replacement

Tiverton Southwestern Ontario
Niagara area  

Station sustainment
Station sustainment

Southwestern Ontario
Pickering Central Ontario

Station sustainment

Tiverton Southwestern Ontario

Station sustainment

Middleport Southwestern Ontario

Station sustainment

Lennox Transmission Station 

Napanee Southeastern Ontario

Station sustainment

Circuit Breaker Replacement

Esplanade x Terauley  
Underground Cable 
Replacement

Toronto Southwestern Ontario

Line sustainment

2021

2021
2023

2023

2024

2025

2026

2026

120

149
135

115

185

113

152

117

167

17

182

120

149
102

81

135

94

103

7

1   Due to a revised timeline of project activities, part of the East-West Tie Station Expansion project, enabling the connection and energization of the new East-West Tie transmission line, 

was placed in-service in 2021. A significant portion of the project is expected to be placed in-service in 2022, with final project in-service expected in 2023. 

2  The estimated cost of the Waasigan Transmission Line relates to the development phase of the project and the anticipated in-service date reflects the anticipated completion date of 

the development phase only. 

3  The Leamington Area Transmission Reinforcement project consists of the construction of a new double-circuit line between Chatham and Lakeshore and associated transmission 
stations and connections. The project is currently in the development stage and as such the estimated cost is subject to change. The anticipated in-service dates for the line and 
stations are between 2022 and 2026. 

4  On March 29, 2021, the IESO requested Hydro One initiate work to develop and construct a new transmission line between Chatham and Lambton to support agricultural growth in 

Southwest Ontario; Hydro One is currently evaluating the scope and timing of this work. 

5  Major portions of the Richview Transmission Station and Bruce A Transmission Stations projects were completed and placed in-service. 

23

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Future Capital Investments
The Company estimates future capital investments based on 
management’s expectations of the amount of capital expenditures that 
will be required to provide transmission and distribution services that 
are efficient, reliable, and provide value for customers, consistent with 
the OEB’s Renewed Regulatory Framework. 

The 2022 transmission and distribution capital investment estimates 
below differ from the prior year disclosures, reflecting updated timing 

and pacing of future capital investments, as well as the re-prioritization 
and acceleration of work occurring in 2021. The 2023 to 2027 capital 
investment estimates have been updated to primarily reflect changes 
to estimated future capital investments of Hydro One's non-regulated 
investments and subsidiaries. The projections and timing of 
transmission and distribution expenditures included in Hydro One's rate 
application for years 2023 to 2027 are subject to approval by the OEB. 

The following tables summarize Hydro One’s annual projected capital investments for 2022 to 2027, by business segment and by category: 

By business segment: (millions of dollars)

Transmission1

Distribution

Other

Total capital investments

By category: (millions of dollars)

Sustainment
Development1

Other2

Total capital investments

2022

1,172

677

24

1,873

2022

1,203

483

187

1,873

2023

1,515

1,026

17

2,558

2023

1,754

529

275

2,558

2024

1,577

1,049

13

2,639

2024

1,801

609

229

2,639

2025

1,596

1,138

11

2,745

2025

1,827

688

230

2,745

2026

1,568

1,088

11

2,667

2026

1,831

598

238

2,667

2027

1,473

1,085

14

2,572

2027

1,799

556

217

2,572

1  Figures include investments in certain development projects of Hydro One Networks not included in the investment plan filed with the JRAP. 

2  “Other” capital expenditures include investments in fleet, real estate, IT, and operations technology and related functions.  

Summary of Sources and Uses of Cash
Hydro One’s primary sources of cash flows are funds generated from operations, capital market debt issuances and bank credit facilities that are 
used to satisfy Hydro One’s capital resource requirements, including the Company’s capital expenditures, servicing and repayment of debt, and 
dividend payments. 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Cash provided by operating activities

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Cash used in investing activities

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

2021

2,149

(303)

(2,063)

(217)

2020

2,030

674

(1,977)

727

24

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Cash provided by operating activities
Cash from operating activities increased by $119 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2021 compared to 2020. The increase was 
impacted by various factors, including the following: 

 ● higher pre-tax earnings; and

 ● DTA Recovery Amounts collected pursuant to the DTA 

Implementation Decision; partially offset by

 ● decrease in net working capital primarily attributable to higher 
receivables from the IESO associated with provincial funding 
programs implemented in early 2020 and a lower payable to the 
IESO due to the lower Global Adjustment rate.

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Cash provided by financing activities decreased by $977 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 2020. This was impacted 
by various factors, including the following: 

Sources of cash
 ● The Company issued $900 million of long-term debt in 2021, 
compared to $2,725 million of long-term debt issued in 2020.

 ● The Company received proceeds of $4,150 million from the issuance 
of short-term notes in 2021, compared to $4,070 million received 
in 2020. 

Uses of cash
 ● The Company repaid $3,905 million of short-term notes in 2021 

compared to $4,413 million repaid in 2020. 

 ● The Company repaid $804 million of long-term debt in 2021, 

compared to $653 million repaid in 2020. 

 ● Common share dividends paid in 2021 were $629 million, compared 

to dividends of $617 million paid in 2020.

 ● The Company redeemed preferred shares of $418 million in 2020, 

compared to no preferred shares redeemed in 2021. 

Cash used in investing activities
Cash used in investing activities increased by $86 million for the 
year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 2020 as a result of 
higher capital investments in the current year, partially offset by 
the acquisitions of Orillia Power and the business and distribution 
assets of Peterborough Distribution in 2020. Please see section 
“Capital Investments” for comparability of capital investments made by 
the Company during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 
prior year. 

Liquidity and Financing Strategy 
Short-term liquidity is provided through FFO8, Hydro One Inc.’s 
commercial paper program, and the Company’s consolidated bank 
credit facilities. Under the commercial paper program, Hydro One Inc. is 
authorized to issue up to $2,300 million in short-term notes with a term 
to maturity of up to 365 days. 

At December 31, 2021, Hydro One Inc. had $1,045 million in commercial 
paper borrowings outstanding, compared to $800 million outstanding 
at December 31, 2020. In addition, the Company has revolving bank 
credit facilities (Operating Credit Facilities) with a total available 
balance of $2,550 million as at December 31, 2021. On June 1, 2021, 
the maturity date for the Operating Credit Facilities was extended 
from 2024 to 2026. No amounts were drawn on the Operating Credit 
Facilities as at December 31, 2021 or 2020. In January 2022, Hydro One 
successfully amended its Operating Credit Facilities to incorporate 
environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets. The facilities now 
include a pricing adjustment which can increase or decrease Hydro 
One’s cost of funding based on its performance on certain Sustainability 
Performance Measures, which are related to Hydro One’s sustainability 
goals. The Company may use the Operating Credit Facilities for working 
capital and general corporate purposes. The short-term liquidity 
under the commercial paper program, the Operating Credit Facilities, 
available cash on hand and anticipated levels of FFO8 are expected 
to be sufficient to fund the Company’s operating requirements. The 
Company's currently available liquidity is also expected to be sufficient 
to address any reasonably foreseeable impacts that the COVID-19 
pandemic may have on the Company’s cash requirements. See section 
“Other Developments – COVID-19” for additional information on the 
impact of COVID-19 on the Company's operations. 

At December 31, 2021, the Company had long-term debt outstanding in 
the principal amount of $13,654 million, which included $425 million of 
long-term debt issued by Hydro One, $13,095 million of long-term debt 
issued by Hydro One Inc., and long-term debt in the principal amount of 
$134 million issued by HOSSM. The long-term debt issued by Hydro One 
was issued under its short form base shelf prospectus (Universal Base 
Shelf Prospectus), as further described below. The majority of long-term 
debt issued by Hydro One Inc. has been issued under its Medium Term 
Note (MTN) Program, as further described below. The Company's total 
long-term debt consists of notes and debentures that mature between 
2022 and 2064, and as at December 31, 2021, had a weighted-average 
term to maturity of approximately 14.8 years (2020 – 14.5 years) and a 
weighted-average coupon rate of 3.8% (2020 – 3.8%). 

In April 2020, Hydro One Inc. filed a short form base shelf prospectus 
in connection with its MTN Program, which has a maximum authorized 
principal amount of notes issuable of $4,000 million, and expires in 
May 2022. At December 31, 2021, $1,900 million remained available for 
issuance under the MTN Program prospectus. A new MTN Program 
prospectus is expected to be filed in the first half of 2022. 

8 

 FFO is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

25

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021In August 2020, Hydro One filed the Universal Base Shelf Prospectus 
with securities regulatory authorities in Canada. The Universal Base 
Shelf Prospectus allows Hydro One to offer, from time to time in one 
or more public offerings, up to $2,000 million of debt, equity or other 
securities, or any combination thereof, and expires in September 2022. 
At December 31, 2021, $1,575 million remained available for issuance 
under the Universal Base Shelf Prospectus. 

In December 2020, Hydro One Holdings Limited (HOHL) filed a 
short form base shelf prospectus (US Debt Shelf Prospectus) with 
securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the US to replace a 
previous prospectus that expired in December 2020. The US Debt 
Shelf Prospectus allows HOHL to offer, from time to time in one or 
more public offerings, up to US$3,000 million of debt securities, 
unconditionally guaranteed by Hydro One, expiring in January 2023.  
At December 31, 2021, no securities have been issued under the  
US Debt Shelf Prospectus.

Compliance
At December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all financial 
covenants and limitations associated with the outstanding borrowings 
and credit facilities. 

Credit Ratings
Various ratings organizations review the Company’s and Hydro One 
Inc.’s debt ratings from time to time. These ratings organizations 
may take various actions, positive or negative. The Company cannot 
predict what actions rating agencies may take in the future. The failure 
to maintain the Company’s current credit ratings could adversely 
affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, 
and a downgrade in the Company’s credit ratings could restrict the 
Company’s ability to access debt capital markets and increase the 
Company’s cost of debt. 

At December 31, 2021, Hydro One’s long-term credit ratings were 
as follows: 

Rating Agency

DBRS

S&P

Long-term Debt Rating

A

BBB+

At December 31, 2021, Hydro One Inc.’s long-term and short-term debt 
ratings were as follows: 

Rating Agency

Short-term Debt Rating

Long-term Debt Rating

DBRS 

Moody’s

S&P

R-1 (low)

Prime-2

A-1 (low)

A (high)

A3

A-

Effect of Interest Rates
The Company is exposed to fluctuations of interest rates as its 
regulated return on equity (ROE) is derived using a formulaic approach 
that takes into account changes in benchmark interest rates for 
Government of Canada debt and the A-rated utility corporate bond 
yield spread. The Company issues debt from time to time to refinance 
maturing debt and for general corporate purposes. The Company is 
therefore exposed to fluctuations in interest rates in relation to such 
issuances of debt. See section “Risk Management and Risk Factors - 
Risks Relating to Hydro One’s Business - Market, Financial Instrument 
and Credit Risk” for more details. 

Pension Plan
In 2021, Hydro One made cash contributions of $62 million to its 
pension plan, compared to cash contributions of $57 million in 2020, 
and incurred $194 million in net periodic pension benefit costs, 
compared to $146 million incurred in 2020.

In September 2019, Hydro One filed a triennial actuarial valuation of 
its pension plan as at December 31, 2018. Based on this valuation, 
Hydro One estimates that total Company pension contributions for 
2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 are approximately $93 million, 
$107 million, $111 million, $111 million, $113 million, and $118 million 
respectively. The estimated pension contributions for years beyond 
2021 increased from amounts provided in the last valuation due to a 
remeasurement of the Company's contributions at the end of 2020, 
reflecting a decrease in the discount rate and an increase in the number 
of employees. Future minimum contributions beyond 2021 will be 
updated following the actuarial funding valuation as of December 31, 
2021, which is expected to be filed by no later than September 30, 2022.

As a result of the transfer of 234 Inergi LP employees to Hydro One that 
occurred over a period ending January 1, 2022, the assets and liabilities 
of the Inergi Pension Plan will be transferred to the Hydro One Pension 
Plan (the Plan). The value of these assets and liabilities will be included in 
the Plan as of the date of transfer, which is expected to occur sometime 
in 2023. 

The Company’s pension benefits obligation is impacted by various 
assumptions and estimates, such as the discount rate, rate of return on 
plan assets, rate of cost of living increase and mortality assumptions. 
A full discussion of the significant assumptions and estimates can 
be found in the section “Critical Accounting Estimates – Employee 
Future Benefits”. 

Other Obligations

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
There are no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are 
reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on the 
Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues 
or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or 
capital resources. 

26

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Summary of Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments
The following table presents a summary of Hydro One’s debt and other major contractual obligations and commercial commitments: 

As at December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Contractual obligations (due by year)

Long-term debt – principal repayments

Long-term debt – interest payments

Short-term notes payable

Pension contributions

Environmental and asset retirement obligations

Outsourcing and other agreements

Lease obligations

Long-term software/meter agreement

Total contractual obligations

Other commercial commitments (by year of expiry)
Operating Credit Facilities1

Letters of credit2

Guarantees3

Total other commercial commitments

Total

13,654

8,431

1,045

653

147

214

64

12

Less than 
1 year

603

507

1,045

93

35

120

16

2

 1-3 years

3-5 years

1,431

1,250

967

—

218

43

74

21

3

901

—

224

14

5

14

2

More than  
5 years

10,370

6,056

—

118

55

15

13

5

24,220

2,421

2,757

2,410

16,632

2,550

184

517

3,251

—

182

517

699

—

2

—

2

2,550

—

—

2,550

—

—

—

—

1   On June 1, 2021, the maturity date for the Operating Credit Facilities was extended to 2026.

2  Letters of credit consist of $160 million letters of credit related to retirement compensation arrangements, a $17 million letter of credit provided to the IESO for prudential support, 

$4 million in letters of credit to satisfy debt service reserve requirements, and $3 million in letters of credit for various operating purposes.

3  Guarantees consist of $475 million prudential support provided to the IESO by Hydro One Inc. on behalf of its subsidiaries, and guarantees provided by Hydro One to the Minister of 
Natural Resources (Canada) and ONroute of $7 million and $30 million respectively, relating to OCN LP (OCN Guarantee) and $5 million relating to Aux Energy Inc., the Company's 
indirect subsidiary. OPG has provided a $32.5 million guarantee to Hydro One related to the OCN Guarantee. 

Share Capital
The common shares of Hydro One are publicly traded on the Toronto 
Stock Exchange (TSX) under the trading symbol “H”. Hydro One is 
authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares. The 
amount and timing of any dividends payable by Hydro One is at 
the discretion of the Hydro One Board of Directors (Board) and 
is established on the basis of Hydro One’s results of operations, 
maintenance of its deemed regulatory capital structure, financial 
condition, cash requirements, the satisfaction of solvency tests 
imposed by corporate laws for the declaration and payment of 
dividends and other factors that the Board may consider relevant.  
At February 24, 2022, Hydro One had 598,326,259 issued and 
outstanding common shares. 

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred 
shares, issuable in series. At February 24, 2022, the Company had no 
preferred shares issued and outstanding.

The number of additional common shares of Hydro One that would 
be issued if all outstanding awards under the share grant plans and 
Long-term Incentive Plan (LTIP) were vested and exercised as at 
February 24, 2022 was 2,733,053.

Regulation

Electricity Rates - Joint Rate Application (JRAP) 
In March 2018, the OEB issued a letter (OEB Letter) requesting Hydro 
One file a single application for distribution rates and transmission 
revenue requirement for the period from 2023 to 2027. The OEB Letter 
had indicated that Hydro One Remote Communities should be included 
in the single application, however, this requirement was later removed 
by the OEB. 

27

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
 
  
On August 5, 2021, Hydro One Networks filed a custom JRAP for 2023-2027. The JRAP includes a proposed investment plan supporting the 
transmission and distribution revenue requirements. A decision is anticipated in the latter half of 2022. The following table summarizes the key 
elements of Hydro One’s JRAP filed with the OEB: 

Year

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

Hydro One Networks - Transmission

Hydro One Networks - Distribution

 Rate Base (Forecast)

Revenue Requirement1

 Rate Base (Forecast)

 Revenue Requirement1

$14,593 million

$15,450 million

$16,449 million

$17,394 million

$18,256 million

$1,823 million

$1,938 million

$2,028 million

$2,140 million

$2,219 million

$9,372 million

$9,963 million

$10,641 million

$11,302 million

$11,880 million

$1,632 million

$1,711 million

$1,785 million

$1,881 million

$1,965 million

1  Revenue requirement for 2023 to 2027 represents filing estimates utilizing the OEB's 2021 Allowed ROE of 8.34%. The ROE is calculated based on the Cost of Capital Parameters 

released by the OEB on November 9, 2020. ROE will be finalized towards the end of 2022.

Deferred Tax Asset
On March 7, 2019, the OEB issued its reconsideration decision (DTA 
Decision) with respect to Hydro One's rate-setting treatment of the 
benefits of the DTA resulting from the transition from the payments in 
lieu of tax regime to tax payments under the federal and provincial tax 
regimes. On April 5, 2019, the Company filed an appeal with the Ontario 
Divisional Court with respect to the DTA Decision. The appeal was heard 
on November 21, 2019. 

On July 16, 2020, the Ontario Divisional Court rendered its ODC 
Decision on the Company's appeal of the DTA Decision. In its decision, 
the Ontario Divisional Court set aside the DTA Decision. The Ontario 
Divisional Court found that the DTA Decision was incorrect in law 
because the OEB had failed to apply the correct legal test. In its 
decision, the Ontario Divisional Court agreed with the submissions 
of Hydro One that the DTA should be allocated to shareholders in 
its entirety. 

On September 21, 2020, the Ontario Divisional Court issued its final 
order (ODC Order) with respect to the ODC Decision. Following the 
ODC Order, on October 2, 2020, the OEB issued a procedural order to 
implement the direction of the Ontario Divisional Court and required 
Hydro One to submit its proposal for the recovery of the DTA amounts 
allocated to ratepayers for the 2017 to 2022 period. 

On April 8, 2021, the OEB rendered its DTA Implementation Decision 
regarding the recovery of the DTA amounts allocated to ratepayers for 
the 2017 to 2022 period. In its DTA Implementation Decision, the OEB 
approved recovery of the DTA amounts allocated to ratepayers and 
included in customer rates for the 2017 to 2021 period plus carrying 
charges over a two-year recovery period commencing on July 1, 2021. 
For the period 2017 to 2021, due to OEB mandated sharing of DTA 
amounts as reflected in approved rates, Hydro One’s annual FFO9 
was lowered by approximately $31 million, $54 million, $62 million, 
$57 million and $53 million in each year from 2017 to 2021, respectively. 
The recovery of the previously shared DTA amounts plus carrying 
charges resulted in an annual increase in FFO9 of approximately 
$65 million in 2021 and is expected to result in an annual increase in 
FFO9 of approximately $135 million and $65 million in 2022 and 2023, 
respectively. In addition, the DTA Implementation Decision requires that 
Hydro One adjust the transmission revenue requirement and the base 
distribution rates beginning January 1, 2022 to eliminate any further tax 
savings flowing to customers. This is expected to further increase FFO9 

9  FFO is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”. 

28

by approximately $50 million in 2022, but will decline over time. The DTA 
Implementation Decision is also expected to result in an increase in the 
Company’s ETR to approximately 14% to 22% over the next five years, 
with the most significant impacts expected over the recovery period. 

Hydro One Remote Communities
On November 3, 2020, Hydro One Remote Communities filed an 
application with the OEB seeking approval for a 2% increase to 2020 
base rates, effective May 1, 2021, which was subsequently updated 
to 2.2% in accordance with the OEB’s 2021 inflation parameters for 
electricity distributors issued on November 9, 2020. On March 25, 2021, 
the OEB-approved Hydro One Remote Communities’ application for 
rates and other charges to be effective May 1, 2021. 

Leave to Construct 
On October 27, 2020, Hydro One Networks filed a Leave to Construct 
application with the OEB seeking approval to upgrade five circuit 
kilometres of transmission cable facilities in the downtown Toronto area. 
These facilities are required to ensure that the area continues to receive 
a safe and reliable supply of electricity. On February 25, 2021, the OEB 
approved the Leave to Construct application with standard conditions 
of approval. 

Other Developments 

COVID-19
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's decisions and 
actions have continuously been guided by two priorities: to protect 
Hydro One's employees and to maintain the safe and reliable supply 
of electricity to Hydro One's customers. To date, Hydro One has been 
successful in achieving these priorities as the Company continues 
to operate-in-line with the evolving safety procedures and practices 
implemented since the start of the pandemic. The Company continues 
to monitor and adhere to guidance provided by the Province of Ontario 
(Province) and public health experts. 

As an essential service, Hydro One's teams have continued to ensure the 
delivery of reliable power to energize life for all Ontarians since the start 
of the pandemic. The Company continues to take actions to protect its 
employees against the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Like most 
organizations, Hydro One experienced a modest increase in the number 
of employees who needed time off following the onset of the Omicron 
sub-variant in late 2021, however employee absenteeism has improved 

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021in the recent months and there has been no significant impact to any 
of its services or its work programs. Notwithstanding this improvement, 
Hydro One has proactively prepared contingency plans in the event of 
significant labour reductions in any of its lines of business. Strategies 
implemented would depend on the severity and duration of a reduction 
in employees. 

The latest wave of COVID-19 is also causing global staffing shortages 
which has contributed to supply chain issues in many industries. 
Hydro One has not been immune to the growing global supply chain 
disruptions and pricing pressures that are being experienced across the 
utility industry. However, it has managed these disruptions by shifting 
projects and taking proactive measures to ensure it has the materials 
and equipment necessary to complete its capital work program. As a 
result, there has not been a material impact to the overall work program.

In keeping with the Company's ongoing commitment to customers, 
and to assist those customers significantly impacted by the pandemic, 
the Company continues to offer a number of customer relief measures 
including increased payment flexibility to residential and small business 
customers, and assistance in securing other financial assistance. 

While Hydro One continues to take the necessary steps to mitigate the 
impact of COVID-19 on the Company's operations, the development of 
new variants and constantly changing public health restrictions make it 
very difficult to determine or estimate the future impacts of COVID-19 
on Hydro One's operations. Potential impacts will be largely dependent 
on the duration of the pandemic, the attributes of the variants, and the 
severity of the measures that may be implemented to combat them. 

Hydro One will continue to actively monitor the impacts of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, including guidance provided by the Province and 
public health experts, and may take further actions that it determines to 
be in the best interest of its operations, employees, customers, partners 
and stakeholders, or as required by federal or provincial authorities.

Exemptive Relief

Disclosure of Ownership by the Province
On June 6, 2017, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities granted 
(i) the Minister of Energy, (ii) OPG (on behalf of itself and the segregated 
funds established as required by the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (Canada)) 
and (iii) agencies of the Crown, provincial Crown corporations and other 
provincial entities (collectively, the Non-Aggregated Holders) exemptive 
relief, subject to certain conditions, to enable each Non-Aggregated 
Holder to treat securities of Hydro One that it owns or controls 
separately from securities of Hydro One owned or controlled by the 
other Non-Aggregated Holders for purposes of certain take-over bid, 
early warning reporting, insider reporting and control person distribution 
rules and certain distribution restrictions under Canadian securities 
laws. Hydro One was also granted relief permitting it to rely solely on 
insider reports and early warning reports filed by Non-Aggregated 
Holders when reporting beneficial ownership or control or direction 
over securities in an information circular or annual information form 
in respect of securities beneficially owned or controlled by any 
Non-Aggregated Holder subject to certain conditions. 

US GAAP
On March 27, 2018, Hydro One was granted exemptive relief by 
securities regulators in each province and territory of Canada 
which allows Hydro One to continue to report its financial results in 

accordance with US GAAP (Exemptive Relief). The Exemptive Relief 
will remain in effect until the earlier of: (i) January 1, 2024; (ii) the first 
day of Hydro One’s financial year that commences after Hydro One 
ceases to have activities subject to rate regulation; and (iii) the effective 
date prescribed by the International Accounting Standards Board for 
the mandatory application of a standard within International Financial 
Reporting Standards specific to entities with activities subject to 
rate regulation. In early 2021, the IASB published an Exposure Draft – 
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (ED). The effective date for mandatory 
application of the eventual, if any, final standard is not yet determinable 
and the Company continues to monitor the developments of the ED and 
determine the potential impacts to the Company’s financial statements. 

Notwithstanding the exemptive relief by securities regulators, Hydro 
One Limited is permitted to report its financial results in accordance 
with US GAAP by virtue of being, and for so long as it remains, a SEC 
issuer (within the meaning of National Instrument 52-107 – Acceptable 
Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards). There can be no 
assurance that Hydro One Limited will remain a SEC issuer indefinitely. 

Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021 
On March 4, 2021, the Province introduced Bill 257 (Supporting 
Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021) to create a new 
act entitled the Building Broadband Faster Act, 2021 that is aimed 
at supporting the timely deployment of broadband infrastructure 
within unserved and underserved rural Ontario communities. 
Bill 257 received Royal Assent on April 12, 2021. Bill 257 amends the 
Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (OEB Act) to provide the Province 
with regulation-making authority regarding the development of, 
access to, or use of electricity infrastructure for non-electricity 
purposes, including to reduce or fix the annual rental charge that 
telecommunications service providers must pay to attach their wireline 
broadband telecommunications attachments to utility poles, establish 
performance standards and timelines for how utilities must respond 
to attachment requests and require utilities to consider joint use of 
poles during planning processes. The Building Broadband Faster Act 
(BBFA) Guideline and regulations informing the legislative changes 
were published on November 30, 2021. The Company continues to be 
engaged with the Province on implementing an appropriate regulatory 
framework to support the published BBFA Guideline and regulations, 
including arrangements to sustain the Company’s revenues and 
recovery of reasonable associated costs. The Company will continue to 
assess the impact as more details become available. 

Acquisitions 
In June 2021, the Company successfully completed the integration of 
Orillia Power and the business and distribution assets of Peterborough 
Distribution, including the integration of employees, customer and 
billing information, business processes and operations. 

Sustainability Report 
The Hydro One 2020 Sustainability Report entitled “Building a 
better & brighter future” is available on the Company’s website at 
www.hydroone.com/sustainability.

The 2020 Sustainability Report discloses the Company’s ESG 
performance and provides a better understanding of how Hydro One 
manages the opportunities and challenges associated with its business. 
The report also includes disclosure relating to the Company’s current 
efforts in its priority areas of People, Planet and Community. 

29

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Hydro One Telecom Rebranding 
In October 2021, the Company rebranded its subsidiary, Hydro One 
Telecom Inc., as Acronym Solutions. 

Ministry of Energy proposes to issue a ministerial direction to the OEB to 
amend Hydro One Networks’ transmission licence in order to undertake 
the work. 

Supporting Critical Transmission Infrastructure in 
Southwestern Ontario 
On January 20, 2022, the Ministry of Energy posted a public proposal 
to facilitate the timely development of critical transmission projects in 
Southwestern Ontario. If approved, this proposal would: (1) Prioritize 
the work on three transmission lines (the Chatham to Lakeshore Line, 
the St. Clair Line, and the Longwood to Lakeshore Line); (2) Prioritize 
development work on two additional transmission lines (a second 
Longwood to Lakeshore Line, and the Windsor to Lakeshore Line); and, 
(3) Designate Hydro One as the licensed transmitter to undertake all of 
these major projects (except the Chatham to Lakeshore Line which has 
already been designated to Hydro One). The comment period closes 
on March 7, 2022. If final approval by the government is obtained, the 

Hydro One Work Force
At December 31, 2021, Hydro One had a skilled and flexible work force 
of approximately 6,300 (2020 - 6,000) regular employees and 2,100 
(2020 - 2,100) non-regular employees province-wide, comprising 
a mix of skilled trades, engineering, professional, managerial and 
executive personnel. Hydro One’s regular employees are supplemented 
primarily by accessing a large external labour force available through 
arrangements with the Company’s trade unions for contingent workers, 
sometimes referred to as “hiring halls”, and also by access to contract 
personnel. The hiring halls offer Hydro One the ability to flexibly use 
highly trained and appropriately skilled workers on a project-by-project 
and seasonal basis. 

The following table sets out the number of Hydro One employees as at December 31, 2021: 

Power Workers’ Union (PWU)1, 2
Society of United Professionals (Society)2

Canadian Union of Skilled Workers (CUSW) and construction building trade unions

Total employees represented by unions

Management and non-represented employees
Total employees3

Regular 
Employees

Non-Regular 
Employees

3,719

1,748

—

5,467

793

6,260

525

49

1,529

2,103

35

2,138

Total

4,244

1,797

1,529

7,570

828

8,398

1 

2 

Includes 429 non-regular “hiring hall” employees covered by the PWU agreement. 

In February 2021, Hydro One finalized agreements with the PWU, the Society, Inergi LP, and Capgemini Canada Inc. to transfer 234 represented Inergi LP employees to Hydro One by 
January 1, 2022. 

3  The average number of Hydro One employees in 2021 was approximately 9,300, consisting of approximately 6,200 regular employees and approximately 3,100 non-regular employees.

Collective Agreements
The prior collective agreement with the Society expired on March 31, 
2021. In February 2021, Hydro One and the Society commenced 
collective bargaining with the official exchange of bargaining agendas. 

On June 25, 2021, Hydro One and the Society reached a tentative 
agreement, and on July 30, 2021, the agreement was ratified by the 
Society membership. The term of the agreement is for two years ending 
on March 31, 2023. 

Stock-based Compensation
The Company granted awards under its LTIP, consisting of Performance Share Units (PSUs), Restricted Share Units (RSUs), and Stock Options. 
In addition, it has granted Deferred Stock Units (DSUs) to Directors and Management and RSUs related to the new collective agreement with the 
Society (Society RSUs). At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the following LTIP and other awards were outstanding: 

December 31 (number of units)

Management DSUs

Director DSUs

Society RSUs

RSUs

PSUs

Stock Options

30

2021

90,240

80,813

71,053

—

—

—

2020

61,880

65,240

—

139,730

111,920

108,710

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Hydro One uses a number of financial measures to assess its 
performance. Adjusted measures, which include Adjusted EPS (basic 
and diluted), Adjusted net income, Adjusted income tax expense and 
Adjusted ETR (collectively, adjusted measures) remove items from 
reported results for EPS (basic and diluted), net income, income tax 
expense and ETR to calculate the adjusted measures. The Company 
also presents FFO or “funds from operations” to reflect a measure of 
the Company’s cash flow and revenues, net of purchased power to 
reflect revenues net of the cost of purchased power. FFO, revenues, 
net of purchased power, and adjusted measures are non-GAAP financial 
measures which do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by 
GAAP and might not be comparable to similar measures presented 
by other entities. They should not be considered in isolation nor as a 
substitute for analysis of the Company’s financial information reported 
under GAAP. 

Hydro One also uses financial ratios that are non-GAAP ratios such as 
debt to capitalization ratio and earnings coverage ratio. Non-GAAP 
ratios do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP 
and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by 
other entities. They should not be considered in isolation nor as a 
substitute for analysis of the Company’s financial information reported 
under GAAP. 

FFO
FFO is defined as net cash from operating activities, adjusted for (i) 
changes in non-cash balances related to operations, (ii) dividends paid 
on preferred shares, and (iii) distributions to noncontrolling interest. 
Management believes that FFO is helpful as a supplemental measure 
of the Company’s operating cash flows as it excludes timing-related 
fluctuations in non-cash operating working capital and cash flows not 
attributable to common shareholders. As such, management believes 
that FFO provides a consistent measure of the cash generating 
performance of the Company’s assets. 

The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP (reported) results to non-GAAP (adjusted) results on a consolidated basis.

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Net cash from operating activities

Changes in non-cash balances related to operations

Preferred share dividends

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

FFO

2021

2,149

(100)

—

(8)

2,041

2020

2,030

(180)

(18)

(2)

1,830

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS
The following Adjusted net income, and Adjusted EPS (basic and 
diluted) have been calculated by management on a supplementary basis 
which adjusts net income under US GAAP for income and costs related 
to the Merger and impacts related to the ODC Decision on Hydro 
One Networks' distribution and transmission businesses. Adjusted net 

income and Adjusted EPS are used internally by management to assess 
the Company’s performance and are considered useful because they 
exclude the impacts of the Merger as well as the ODC Decision as noted 
above. Adjusted net income and Adjusted EPS provide users with a 
comparative basis to evaluate the current ongoing operations of the 
Company compared to prior year. 

The following tables provide a reconciliation of GAAP (reported) results to non-GAAP (adjusted) results on a consolidated basis. 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars, except number of shares and EPS)

Net income attributable to common shareholders

Impacts related to the Merger:

  OM&A – Merger-related costs (before tax)

  Financing charges – Merger-related costs (before tax)

  Financing charges – loss on Foreign-Exchange Contract (before tax)

  Tax impact

  Merger-related impacts (after tax)

Impacts related to the ODC Decision 

Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders

Weighted average number of shares

  Basic

  Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation plans

  Diluted

Adjusted EPS

  Basic

  Diluted

2021

965

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

—

965 

2020

1,770 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(867)

903 

2019

778 

138 

31 

22 

(51)

140 

— 

918 

598,080,111

597,421,127 

596,437,577 

2,278,030 

2,497,161 

2,410,860 

600,358,141 

599,918,288 

598,848,437 

$  1.61

$  1.61

$  1.51

$  1.51

$  1.54

$  1.53

31

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Quarter ended (millions of dollars, except number of shares and EPS)

Dec 31, 2021

Sep 30, 2021

Jun 30, 2021

Mar 31, 2021

Net income attributable to common shareholders

Impacts related to the ODC Decision

Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders

Weighted-average number of shares

  Basic

159 

— 

159 

300 

— 

300 

238

—

238 

268 

— 

268 

598,217,317 598,217,261 598,212,600 597,665,695

  Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation plans

2,154,076

2,135,732

2,276,575

2,491,520

  Diluted

Adjusted EPS

  Basic

  Diluted

600,371,393 600,352,993 600,489,175 600,157,215

$  0.27

$  0.26

$  0.50

$  0.50

$  0.40

$  0.40

$  0.45

$  0.45

Quarter ended (millions of dollars, except number of shares and EPS)

Dec 31, 2020

Sep 30, 2020

Jun 30, 2020

Mar 31, 2020

Net income attributable to common shareholders

Impacts related to the ODC Decision

Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders

Weighted-average number of shares

  Basic

161 

— 

161 

281 

— 

281

1,103 

(867) 

236 

225 

—

225 

597,588,309 597,557,787 597,551,514 596,983,560

  Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation plans

2,586,310

2,362,569

2,423,441

2,663,999

  Diluted

Adjusted EPS

  Basic

  Diluted

600,174,619 599,920,356  599,974,955  599,647,559 

$  0.27

$  0.27

$  0.47

$  0.47

$  0.39

$  0.39

$  0.38

$  0.38

Revenues, Net of Purchased Power
Revenues, net of purchased power is defined as revenues less the cost of purchased power; distribution revenues, net of purchased power is 
defined as distribution revenues less the cost of purchased power. Revenues, net of purchased power is used internally by management to assess 
the impacts of revenue on net income and is considered useful because it excludes the cost of power that is fully recovered through revenues and 
therefore net income neutral. 

The following tables provide a reconciliation of GAAP (reported) revenues to non-GAAP (adjusted) revenues, net of purchased power on a 
consolidated basis.

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Revenues

Less: Purchased power

Revenues, net of purchased power

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Distribution revenues

Less: Purchased power

Distribution revenues, net of purchased power

2021

7,225

3,579

3,646

2021

5,359

3,579

1,780

2020

7,290

3,854

3,436

2020

5,507

3,854

1,653

Quarter ended (millions of dollars)

Dec 31, 2021 Sep 30, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Mar 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020

Revenues

Less: Purchased power

Revenues, net of purchased 

power

1,779

914

1,913

933

1,722

838

1,811

894

1,867

1,046

1,903

993

1,670

808

1,850

1,007

865

980

884

917

821

910

862

843

Quarter ended (millions of dollars)

Dec 31, 2021 Sep 30, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Mar 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020

Distribution revenues

Less: Purchased power

Distribution revenues,  

1,347

914

1,395

933

1,263

838

1,354

894

1,457

1,046

1,410

993

1,201

808

1,439

1,007

net of purchased power

433

462

425

460

411

417

393

432

32

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Adjusted Income Tax Expense and Adjusted ETR
The following Adjusted income tax expense and Adjusted ETR have been calculated by management on a supplementary basis which adjust 
income tax expense and ETR for income and costs related to the Merger and impacts related to the ODC Decision. Adjusted ETR is used internally 
by management to assess the Company’s income tax impacts and is considered useful because it excludes the impacts of the ODC Decision. 
Adjusted ETR provides users with a comparative basis to evaluate the income tax impacts on the Company compared to prior year. 

The following tables provide a reconciliation of GAAP (reported) ETR and Income tax (recovery) to non-GAAP (adjusted) Adjusted ETR and Adjusted 
income tax expense on a consolidated basis. 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Income before income tax expense

Income tax (recovery)

ETR

Income tax (recovery)

Impacts related to the ODC Decision

Adjusted income tax expense

Adjusted ETR

2021

1,151

178

15.5 %

178

—

178

15.5%

2020

1,011

(785)

(77.6)%

(785)

(867)

82

8.1%

Debt to Capitalization Ratio 
The Company believes that the debt to capitalization ratio is an important non-GAAP ratio in the management of its debt levels. This non-GAAP 
ratio does not have a standardized meaning under US GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. Debt to 
capitalization ratio has been calculated as total debt (including total long-term debt and short-term borrowings, net of cash and cash equivalents) 
divided by total debt plus total shareholders’ equity, but excluding any amounts related to noncontrolling interest. Management believes that the 
debt to capitalization ratio is helpful as a measure of the proportion of debt in the Company's capital structure. 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Short-term notes payable

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Long-term debt (current portion)

Long-term debt (long-term portion)

Total debt (A)

Shareholders’ equity (excluding noncontrolling interest) 

Total debt plus shareholders’ equity (B) 

2021

1,045

(540)

603

13,017

14,125

10,888

25,013

2020

800

(757)

806

12,726

13,575

10,534

24,109

Debt-to-capitalization ratio (A/B) 

56.5%

56.3%

Earnings Coverage Ratio
Earnings coverage ratio is defined as earnings before income taxes and financing charges attributable to shareholders, divided by the sum of 
financing charges and capitalized interest, and is calculated on a rolling twelve-month basis. The Company believes that the earnings coverage ratio 
is an important non-GAAP measure in the management of its liquidity. This non-GAAP ratio does not have a standardized meaning under US GAAP 
and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. 

33

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Quarter ended (millions of dollars)
Year-to-date net income to 
preferred shareholder
Year-to-date net income to 
common shareholder

Year-to-date income tax expense
Year-to-date financing charges
Earnings before income taxes and 
financing charges attributable 
to common shareholders and 
preferred shareholder 

Twelve months ended  
(millions of dollars)

Earnings before income taxes 

and financing charges 
attributable to common 
shareholders and preferred 
shareholder (A)

Quarter ended (millions of dollars)
Financing charges
Capitalized interest 
Financing charges and capitalized 

Dec 31, 2021 Sep 30, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Mar 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020

—

965
965
178
461

—

806
806
123
338

—

506
506
52
220

—

268
268
26
116

18

18

9

1,770
1,788
(785)
471

1,609
1,627
(812)
352

1,328
1,337
(834)
238

5

225
230
15
119

1,604

1,267

778

410

1,474

1,167

741

364

Dec 31, 2021 Sep 30, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Mar 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020

1,604

1,574

1,511

1,520

1,474

1,501

1,452

1,345

Dec 31, 2021 Sep 30, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Mar 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020
119
10

471
49

220
29

461
60

338
44

238
22

352
36

116
13

interest

521

382

249

129

520

388

260

129

Twelve months ended  
(millions of dollars)
Financing charges and 

Dec 31, 2021 Sep 30, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Mar 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Sep 30, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020

capitalized interest (B)

Earnings coverage ratio = A/B

521
3.1

514
3.1

509
3.0

520
2.9

520
2.8

516
2.9

518
2.8

517
2.6

Related Party Transactions 
The Province is a shareholder of Hydro One with approximately 47.2% ownership at December 31, 2021. The IESO, OPG, Ontario Electricity Financial 
Corporation (OEFC), and the OEB are related parties to Hydro One because they are controlled or significantly influenced by the Ministry of Energy. 
OCN LP is a joint-venture limited partnership between a subsidiary of Hydro One and OPG. The following is a summary of the Company’s related 
party transactions during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Related Party
Province
IESO

OPG1

OEFC
OEB
OCN LP2

Transaction
Dividends paid
Power purchased
Revenues for transmission services
Amounts related to electricity rebates
Distribution revenues related to rural rate protection
Distribution revenues related to supply of electricity to remote northern communities
Funding received related to CDM programs
Power purchased
Revenues related to provision of services and supply of electricity
Capital contribution received from OPG
Costs related to the purchase of services
Power purchased from power contracts administered by the OEFC
OEB fees
Investment in OCN LP

2021
297
2,238
1,832
1,065
245
35
1
13
8
3
2
1
8
4

2020
301
2,506
1,717
1,588
242
35
26
6
8
3
3
1
9
2

1  OPG has provided a $32.5 million guarantee to Hydro One related to the OCN Guarantee. See Other Obligations – Summary of Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial 

Commitments for details related to the OCN Guarantee. 

2  OCN LP owns and operates electric vehicle fast charging stations across Ontario, under the Ivy Charging Network brand. 

34

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Risk Management and Risk Factors 

Hydro One is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Critical to 
Hydro One’s success is the identification, management, and to the 
extent possible, mitigation of these risks. Hydro One’s Enterprise Risk 
Management (ERM) program assists decision-makers throughout the 
organization with the management of key business risks, including new 
and emerging risks and opportunities. 

The material risks relating to Hydro One and its business that the 
Company believes would be the most likely to influence an investor’s 
decision to purchase Hydro One’s securities are set out in the risk 
factors below. These risks, if they materialize, could have a materially 
adverse effect on the Company or its business, financial condition, or 
results of operations. This list is not a comprehensive list of all the risks 
to the Company, and the actual effect of any of the risks cited below 
could be materially different from what is described below. Additionally, 
other risks may arise or risks currently not considered material may 
become material in the future. 

Risks Relating to Hydro One’s Business 

Regulatory Risks and Risks Relating to Hydro One’s Revenues

Risks Relating to Obtaining Rate Orders
The Company is subject to the risk that the OEB will not approve 
the Company’s transmission and distribution revenue requirements 
requested in outstanding or future applications for rates. Rate 
applications for revenue requirements are subject to the OEB’s review 
process, usually involving participation from intervenors and a public 
hearing process. There can be no assurance that resulting decisions 
or rate orders issued by the OEB will permit Hydro One to recover 
all costs actually incurred, including the costs of debt and income 
taxes, or to earn a particular ROE. A failure to obtain acceptable rate 
orders, or approvals of appropriate returns on equity and the ability to 
recover in rates costs actually incurred, may materially adversely affect: 
Hydro One’s transmission and distribution businesses, the undertaking 
or timing of capital expenditures, ratings assigned by credit rating 
agencies, the cost and issuance of long-term debt, and other matters, 
any of which may in turn have a material adverse effect on the Company. 
In addition, there is no assurance that the Company will receive 
regulatory decisions in a timely manner and, therefore, the Company 
may incur costs before having an approved revenue requirement and 
cash flows could be impacted. The Company is also subject to the risk 
that the OEB could change the regulatory treatment of certain costs 
which may affect the Company’s accounting treatment of and ability to 
recover such costs. 

Risks Relating to Actual Performance Against Forecasts
The Company’s ability to recover the actual costs of providing service 
and earn the allowed ROE depends on the Company achieving its 
forecasts established and approved in the rate-setting process. 
Actual costs could exceed the approved forecasts if, for example, 
the Company incurs operations, maintenance, administration, capital 
and financing costs above those included in the Company’s approved 
revenue requirement. The inability to recover any significant difference 
between forecast and actual expenses and to obtain associated 
regulatory approvals to recover the difference could materially adversely 
affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Further, the OEB approves the Company’s transmission and distribution 
rates based on projected electricity load and consumption levels, 
among other factors. If actual load or consumption materially falls 
below projected levels, the Company’s revenue, net income and cash 
flows for either, or both, of these businesses could be materially 
adversely affected. Also, the Company’s current revenue requirements 
for its transmission and distribution businesses are based on cost and 
other assumptions that may not materialize. There is no assurance that 
the OEB would allow rate increases sufficient to offset unfavourable 
financial impacts from unanticipated changes in electricity demand or in 
the Company’s costs.

The Company is subject to risk of revenue loss from other factors, 
such as economic trends and conditions, changes in service territory, 
and weather conditions that influence the demand for electricity. The 
Company’s overall operating results may fluctuate substantially on a 
seasonal and year-to-year basis based on these trends and weather 
conditions. For instance, a cooler than normal summer or warmer than 
normal winter can be expected to reduce demand for electricity below 
that forecast by the Company, causing a decrease in the Company’s 
revenues, net income and cash flows as compared to the same period 
of the previous year. 

The Company’s load could also be negatively affected by successful 
CDM programs whose results exceed forecasted expectations.

Risks Relating to Other Applications to the OEB 
Hydro One may face increased competition with other transmitters 
for opportunities to build new, large-scale transmission facilities 
in Ontario. The Company is subject to the risk that it will not be 
selected to build new transmission in Ontario, which could impair 
growth, disrupt operations and/or development, or have other 
adverse impacts. The Company is also subject to the risk that it will 
not obtain, or will not obtain in a timely manner, required regulatory 
approvals for other matters, such as leave to construct applications, 
applications for mergers, acquisitions, amalgamations and divestitures, 
and environmental approvals. Decisions to acquire or divest other 
regulated businesses licensed by the OEB are subject to OEB approval. 
Accordingly, there is the risk that such matters may not be approved, 
that the Company may not be selected to build new transmission as 
part of the competitive process, or that unfavourable conditions will be 
imposed by the OEB. 

Risks Relating to Rate-Setting Models for Transmission and Distribution
The OEB approves and periodically changes the rate-setting models 
and methodology for the transmission and distribution businesses. 
Changes to the application type, filing requirements, rate-setting model 
or methodology, or revenue requirement determination may have a 
material negative impact on Hydro One’s revenue and net income. For 
example, the OEB may in the future decide to reduce the allowed ROE 
for either of these businesses, modify the formula or methodology 
it uses to determine the ROE, or reduce the weighting of the equity 
component of the deemed capital structure. Any such reduction could 
reduce the net income of the Company. Similarly, the OEB is currently 
considering other utility remuneration models, and any such change 
could affect Hydro One’s revenue and net income.

35

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021The OEB’s Custom Incentive Rate-setting model requires that the 
term of a custom rate application be for multi-year periods. There 
are risks associated with forecasting key inputs such as revenues, 
operating expenses and capital over such a long period. For instance, 
if unanticipated capital expenditures arise that were not contemplated 
in the Company’s most recent rate decision, the Company may be 
required to incur costs that may not be recoverable until a future period 
or not recoverable at all in future rates. This could have a material 
adverse effect on the Company.

When rates are set for a multi-year period, including under a Custom 
Incentive Rate application, the OEB expects there to be no further 
rate applications for annual updates within the multi-year period, 
unless there are exceptional circumstances, with the exception of the 
clearance of established deferral and variance accounts. For example, 
the OEB does not expect to address annual rate applications for 
updates for cost of capital (including ROE), working capital allowance or 
sales volumes. If there were an increase in interest rates over the period 
of a rate decision and no corresponding changes were permitted to the 
Company’s allowed cost of capital (including ROE), then the result could 
be a decrease in the Company’s financial performance.

To the extent that the OEB approves an in-service variance account 
for the transmission and/or distribution businesses, and should the 
Company fail to meet the threshold levels of in-service capital, the OEB 
may reclaim a corresponding portion of the Company’s revenues.

Risks Relating to Capital Expenditures
In order to be recoverable in rates, capital expenditures require 
the approval of the OEB. There can be no assurance that all capital 
expenditures, including any imposed by or resulting from government or 
regulatory bodies, incurred by Hydro One will be approved by the OEB. 
For example, capital cost overruns including those due to economic 
trends and conditions, unexpected capital expenditures in maintaining 
or improving the Company’s assets, unexpected costs as a result 
of proposed legislation, including that relating to the expansion of 
broadband service in Canada, may not be recoverable in transmission or 
distribution rates. To the extent possible, Hydro One aims to mitigate this 
risk by ensuring expenditures are reasonable and prudent, and also by 
seeking from the regulator clear policy direction on cost responsibility, 
and by obtaining pre-approval of the need for capital expenditures.

Any regulatory decision by the OEB to disallow or limit the recovery of 
any capital expenditures would lead to a lower-than-expected approved 
revenue requirement or rate base, potential asset impairment or charges 
to the Company’s results of operations, any of which could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company. 

Risk of Recoverability of Total Compensation Costs
Hydro One manages all of its total compensation costs, including 
pension and other post-employment and post-retirement benefits 
(OPEBs), subject to restrictions and requirements imposed by the 
collective bargaining process and legislative requirements. Any element 
of total compensation costs which is disallowed in whole or part by the 
OEB and therefore not recoverable from customers in rates could result 
in costs which could be material and could decrease net income, which 
could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The OEB Act 
prohibits Hydro One from recovering specified executive compensation 
costs in its rates.

36

The Company provides OPEBs, including workers' compensation 
benefits and long-term disability benefits to qualifying employees. 
Hydro One currently maintains the accrual accounting method with 
respect to OPEBs. If the OEB directed Hydro One to transition to a 
different accounting method for OPEBs or otherwise adjusted the basis 
of recovery for OPEB costs, this could result in income volatility, due to 
an inability of the Company to book the difference between the accrual 
and cash as a regulatory asset, and the Company might not be able 
to recover some costs. A determination that some of the Company’s 
post-employment and postretirement benefit costs are not recoverable 
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Risks Relating to Government Action
The Province is, and is likely to remain, the largest shareholder in 
Hydro One Limited. The Province may be in a position of conflict from 
time to time as a result of being an investor in Hydro One Limited and 
also being a government actor setting broad policy objectives in the 
electricity industry. Government actions may not be in the interests of 
the Company or investors.

Governments may pass legislation or issue regulations at any time, 
including legislation or regulation impacting Hydro One, which could 
have potential material adverse effects on Hydro One and its business. 
Such government actions may include, but are not limited to, legislation, 
regulation, directives or shareholder action intended to reduce 
electricity rates, place constraints on compensation, or affect the 
governance of Hydro One. Such government actions could adversely 
affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, 
as well as public opinion and the Company’s reputation. Government 
action may also hinder Hydro One’s ability to pursue its strategy and/
or objectives.

Additionally, involvement by the Province in placing constraints on 
executive compensation (through the compensation framework 
implemented as a result of the Hydro One Accountability Act, 2018) may 
inhibit the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified executive 
talent, which may also impact the Company’s performance, strategy 
and/or objectives. The failure to attract and retain qualified executives 
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Government action may also impact the Company’s credit ratings 
as the Company’s credit ratings reflect, in part, the rating agencies’ 
assessment of government involvement in the business of Hydro One. 
The Company cannot predict what actions rating agencies may take in 
the future, positive or negative, including in response to government 
action or inaction relating to or impacting Hydro One. The failure 
to maintain the Company’s current credit ratings could adversely 
affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, 
and a downgrade in the Company’s credit ratings could restrict the 
Company’s ability to access debt capital markets and increase the 
Company’s cost of debt.

Indigenous Claims Risk
Some of the Company’s current and proposed transmission and 
distribution assets are or may be located on reserve (as defined in the 
Indian Act (Canada)) (Reserve) lands, or lands over which Indigenous 
people have Aboriginal, treaty, or other legal rights or claims. Some 
Indigenous leaders, communities, and their members have made 
assertions related to sovereignty and jurisdiction over Reserve lands and 
traditional territories (land traditionally occupied or used by a First Nation, 

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Métis or Inuit group) and are increasingly willing to assert their claims 
through the courts, tribunals, or direct action. These claims, and/or the 
settlement or resolution of these claims could have a material adverse 
effect on the Company or otherwise materially adversely impact the 
Company’s operations, including the development of current and 
future projects.

The Company’s operations and activities may give rise to the Crown 
having a duty to consult and potentially accommodate Indigenous 
communities. Procedural aspects of the Crown's duty to consult may be 
delegated to the Company by the Province or the federal government. 
A perceived failure by the Crown to sufficiently consult an Indigenous 
community, including communities with a traditional governance model 
not recognized under the Indian Act (Canada), or a perceived failure by 
the Company in relation to delegated consultation obligations, could 
result in legal challenges against the Crown or the Company, including 
judicial review or injunction proceedings, or could potentially result in 
direct action against the Company by a community or its citizens. If this 
occurs, it could disrupt or delay the Company’s operations and activities, 
including current and future projects, and have a material adverse effect 
on the Company.

Risk from Transfer of Assets Located on Reserves
The transfer orders by which the Company acquired certain of 
Ontario Hydro’s businesses as of April 1, 1999 did not transfer title to 
assets located on Reserves. The transfer of title to these assets did 
not occur because authorizations originally granted by the federal 
government for the construction and operation of these assets on 
Reserves could not be transferred without required consent. In several 
cases, the authorizations had either expired or had never been issued.

Currently, OEFC holds legal title to these assets and it is expected 
that the Company will manage them until it has obtained permits to 
complete the title transfer. To occupy Reserves, the Company must 
have valid permits as required by the Indian Act (Canada). For each 
permit, the Company may need to negotiate (an) agreement(s) with 
the First Nation, OEFC and any members of the First Nation who have 
occupancy rights. Any such agreement(s) include provisions whereby 
the First Nation consents to the issuance of a permit. For transmission 
assets, the Company must negotiate terms of payment. It is difficult 
to predict the aggregate amount that the Company may have to pay 
to obtain the required agreements from First Nations. If the Company 
cannot reach satisfactory agreements with the relevant First Nation to 
obtain federal permits, or is unable to obtain the actual federal permits 
for any other reason, it may have to relocate these assets to other 
locations and restore the lands at a cost that could be substantial. In 
a limited number of cases, it may be necessary to abandon a line and 
replace it with diesel generation facilities. In either case, the costs 
relating to these assets could have a material adverse effect on the 
Company if the costs are not recoverable in future rate orders. 

Executive Recruitment and Retention Risk
Involvement by the Province relating to executive compensation, and 
Hydro One executive compensation constraints flowing from the 
Hydro One Accountability Act, 2018, may inhibit the Company’s ability 
to attract and retain qualified executive talent. The Company’s strategy 
is tied to its ability to continue to attract and retain qualified executives. 
The failure to attract and retain qualified executives could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company. 

Compliance with Laws and Regulations
Hydro One must comply with numerous laws and regulations affecting 
its business, including requirements relating to transmission and 
distribution companies, environmental laws, employment laws and 
health and safety laws. The failure of the Company to comply with these 
laws could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. 
See also “– Environment Risk” and “– Health and Safety Risk”.

For example, Hydro One’s licensed transmission and distribution 
businesses are required to comply with the terms of their licences, 
with codes and rules issued by the OEB, and with other regulatory 
requirements. In Ontario, the Market Rules issued by the IESO require 
the Company to, among other things, comply with applicable reliability 
standards established by the NERC and Northeast Power Coordinating 
Council, Inc. (NPCC). The costs associated with compliance with these 
reliability standards are expected to be recovered through rates, but 
there can be no assurance that the OEB will approve the recovery of 
all of such costs. Failure to obtain such approvals could have a material 
adverse effect on the Company.

There is the risk that new legislation, regulations, requirements or 
policies will be introduced in the future. These may reduce Hydro One’s 
revenue, or may require Hydro One to incur additional costs, which may 
or may not be recovered in future transmission and distribution rates. 

Risk of Natural and Other Unexpected Occurrences
The Company’s facilities are exposed to the effects of severe weather 
conditions, natural disasters, man-made events including, but not 
limited to, cyber and physical terrorist type attacks, events which 
originate from third-party connected systems, and any other potentially 
catastrophic events. The Company’s facilities may not withstand 
occurrences of these types in all circumstances.

The Company could also be subject to claims for damages from events 
which may be proximately connected with the Company’s assets 
(for example, forest fires), claims for damages caused by its failure to 
transmit or distribute electricity, costs related to ensuring its continued 
ability to transmit or distribute electricity or costs related to information 
or cyber security.

The Company does not have insurance for damage to its transmission 
and distribution wires, poles and towers located outside its transmission 
and distribution stations resulting from these or other events. Where 
insurance is available for the Company’s other assets and for damage 
claims and cyber security claims, such insurance coverage may have 
deductibles, limits and/or exclusions that may still expose the Company 
to material losses. Losses from lost revenues and repair costs could 
be substantial, especially for many of the Company’s facilities that are 
located in remote areas.

In the event that the Company is unable to recover such costs, this 
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Environment Risk
The Company is subject to extensive Canadian federal, provincial and 
municipal environmental regulation. Failure to comply could subject 
the Company to fines or other penalties. In addition, the presence or 
release of hazardous or other harmful substances could lead to claims 
by third parties or governmental orders requiring the Company to take 
specific actions such as investigating, controlling and remediating the 

37

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021effects of these substances. Although Hydro One is not a large emitter 
of greenhouse gases, the Company monitors its emissions to track 
and report on all sources, including sulphur hexafluoride or “SF6”. The 
Company could be subject to costs and other risks related to emissions. 
Contamination of the Company’s properties could limit its ability to sell 
or lease these assets in the future. 

In addition, actual future environmental expenditures may vary 
materially from the estimates used in the calculation of the 
environmental liabilities provided for in the Company’s financial 
statements. The Company does not have insurance coverage for these 
environmental expenditures.

There is also risk associated with obtaining governmental approvals, 
permits, or renewals of existing approvals and permits related to 
constructing or operating facilities. This may require environmental 
assessment or result in the imposition of conditions, or both, which 
could result in delays and cost increases. Failure to obtain necessary 
approvals or permits could result in an inability to complete projects 
which may have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company’s facilities are exposed to the effects of severe weather 
conditions and natural disasters. The Company recognizes the risks 
associated with potential climate change and has developed plans 
to respond as appropriate. Climate change may have the effect of 
shifting weather patterns and increasing the severity and frequency 
of extreme weather events and natural disasters, which could impact 
Hydro One’s business. The Company’s facilities may not withstand 
occurrences of these types in all circumstances. Notwithstanding 
Hydro One’s efforts to adapt and increase grid resilience, the Company’s 
facilities are exposed to risks which may have an adverse effect on grid 
resilience. The Company could also be subject to claims for damages 
from events which may be proximately connected with the Company’s 
assets (for example, forest fires), claims for damages caused by its 
failure to transmit or distribute electricity or costs related to ensuring 
its continued ability to transmit or distribute electricity. The Company 
does not have insurance for damage to its transmission and distribution 
wires, poles and towers located outside its transmission and distribution 
stations resulting from these or other events. Where insurance is 
available for the Company’s other assets and for damage claims, such 
insurance coverage may have deductibles, limits and/or exclusions 
that may still expose the Company to material losses. Losses from lost 
revenues and repair costs could be substantial, especially for many of 
the Company’s facilities that are located in remote areas.

In the event that the Company is unable to recover such costs, this 
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Risk Associated with Information Technology (IT), Operational 
Technology (OT) Infrastructure and Data Security 
The Company’s ability to operate effectively in the Ontario electricity 
market is, in part, dependent upon it developing, modernizing, 
maintaining and managing complex IT and OT systems which are 
employed to operate and monitor its transmission and distribution 
facilities, financial and billing systems and other business systems. The 
Company’s increasing reliance on information systems and expanding 
data networks, as well as growing volume and complexity of data, 
increases its vulnerability, and exposure to information security threats. 
The Company’s transmission business is required to comply with various 
rules and standards for transmission reliability, including mandatory 

38

standards established by the NERC and the NPCC. These include 
standards relating to cyber-security and OT, which only apply to certain 
of the Company’s assets (generally being those whose failure could 
impact the functioning of the bulk electricity system). The Company 
may maintain different or lower levels of security for its assets that are 
not subject to these mandatory standards. The Company must also 
comply with various cyber-security and privacy-related regulatory 
requirements under the OEB’s Ontario Cyber Security Framework 
and legislative and licence requirements relating to the collection, 
use and disclosure of personal information and information regarding 
consumers, wholesalers, generators and retailers.

Cyber-attacks or unauthorized access to corporate IT and OT systems 
could result in service disruptions and system failures, which could have 
a material adverse effect on the Company, including as a result of a 
failure to provide electricity to customers. Because it operates critical 
infrastructure, Hydro One may be at greater risk of cyber-attacks from 
third parties (including state run or controlled parties) that could impair 
or incapacitate its assets. In addition, in the course of its operations, 
the Company collects, uses, processes and stores information 
which could be exposed in the event of a cyber-security incident or 
other unauthorized access or disclosure, such as information about 
customers, suppliers, counterparties, employees and other third parties.

Security and system disaster recovery controls are in place; however, 
there can be no assurance that there will not be system failures or 
security breaches or that such threats would be detected or mitigated 
on a timely basis. Upon occurrence and detection, the focus would shift 
from prevention to isolation, remediation and recovery until the incident 
has been fully addressed. Any such system failures or security breaches 
could have a material adverse effect on the Company. 

Infectious Disease Risk 
An outbreak of infectious disease, in the form of an epidemic, a pandemic 
(such as COVID-19), or a similar public health threat, could materially 
adversely impact the Company. The extent of any such adverse impact 
on the Company is uncertain, and may depend on the length and severity 
of any such infectious disease outbreak, any resultant government 
regulations, guidelines and actions, and any related adverse changes in 
general economic and market conditions. Such circumstances could 
impact, in particular: the Company’s operations and workforce, including 
security of supply, both with respect to availability and affordability, which 
individually or collectively may impact the Company's ability to complete 
operating and capital work programs as planned, including within scope 
and budget; certain financial obligations of the Company, including 
pension contributions and other post-retirement benefits, as a result 
of changes in prevailing market conditions; the Company’s expected 
revenues; reductions in overall electricity consumption and load, both 
short term and long term; overdue accounts and bad debt increases 
as a result of changes in the ability of the Company’s customers to 
pay; liquidity and the Company’s ability to raise capital; the Company’s 
ability to pay or increase dividends; the timing of increased rates; the 
Company’s ability to recover incremental costs and lost revenues linked 
to the outbreak; the Company’s ability to file regulatory filings on a timely 
basis; timing of regulatory decisions and the impacts those decisions may 
have on the Company or its ability to implement them; and customer and 
stakeholder needs and expectations. 

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021The Company also faces risks and costs associated with implementation 
of business continuity plans and modified work conditions, including the 
risks and costs associated with maintaining or reducing its workforce, 
making the required resources available to its workforce to enable 
essential work, including remotely where possible, and to keep its 
workforce healthy, as well as risks and costs associated with recovery 
of normal operations. Furthermore, the Company is dependent on third 
party providers for certain activities, and relies on a strong international 
supply chain. Any significant disruption to those providers or the supply 
chain resulting from an outbreak of infectious disease could materially 
adversely impact the Company. See also “Other Developments – 
COVID-19”.

Labour Relations Risk
A substantial majority of the Company’s employees are unionized and 
are primarily represented by either the PWU or the Society. Over the 
past several years, significant effort has been expended to increase 
Hydro One’s flexibility to conduct operations in a more cost-efficient 
manner. Although the Company has achieved improved flexibility in 
its collective agreements, the Company may not be able to achieve 
further improvements, or at least not without increasing the risk of 
labour disruption. The Company reached an agreement with the Society 
for a collective agreement, covering the period from April 1, 2021 to 
March 31, 2023. Agreements were also reached with the Society and 
the PWU to facilitate the insourcing of Customer Service Operations 
(CSO) services effective March 1, 2018, as well as all remaining services 
provided by Inergi LP (IT, Supply Chain, Finance and Accounting, and 
Payroll) on various dates between March 1, 2021 and January 1, 2022. 
The Company also reached a main collective agreement with the PWU, 
covering the period from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2023, and a CSO 
collective agreement with the PWU covering the period from October 1, 
2019 to September 30, 2022. The Company also reached a collective 
agreement with the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers (CUSW), 
covering the period from May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2022. Additionally, 
Electrical Power Systems Construction Association (EPSCA) and a 
number of building trade unions have agreements, to which Hydro One 
is bound, covering the period from May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2025 (see 
“Hydro One Work Force - Collective Agreements” for details). Future 
negotiations with unions present the risk of a labour disruption or 
dispute, risk to the Company’s ability to sustain the continued supply of 
electricity to customers, as well as potential risks to public safety and 
reputation. The Company also faces financial risks related to its ability to 
negotiate collective agreements consistent with its rate orders. Any of 
these could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Collective 
agreements requiring renewal in 2022 include the CUSW collective 
agreement and the CSO collective agreement with the PWU, expiring 
on April 30, 2022 and September 30, 2022, respectively. Failure to 
renew these agreements on terms acceptable to Hydro One could have 
a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations and 
expose Hydro One to the risks noted above.

Work Force Demographic Risk 
By the end of 2021, approximately 11% of the Company’s employees 
who are members of the Company’s defined benefit and defined 
contribution pension plans were eligible for retirement, and by the end 
of 2022, approximately 13% could be eligible. These percentages are not 
evenly spread across the Company’s work force, but tend to be most 
significant in the most senior levels of the Company’s staff and among 

management staff. During 2021, approximately 4% of the Company’s 
work force (up from approximately 3% in 2020) elected to retire. 
Accordingly, the Company’s continued success will be tied to its ability 
to continue to attract and retain sufficient qualified staff to replace 
the capability lost through retirements and meet the demands of the 
Company’s work programs.

In addition, the Company expects the skilled labour market for its 
industry will remain highly competitive. Many of the Company’s current 
and potential employees are sought after as they possess skills and 
experience that are also highly coveted by other organizations inside 
and outside the electricity sector. The failure to attract, retain and 
deploy qualified personnel for Hydro One’s business could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company.

Risk Associated with Arranging Debt Financing
The Company expects to borrow to repay its existing indebtedness and 
to fund a portion of capital expenditures. Hydro One Inc. has substantial 
debt principal repayments coming due, including $603 million in 2022, 
$731 million in 2023 and $700 million in 2024. In addition, from time to 
time, the Company may draw on its syndicated bank lines and/or issue 
short-term debt under Hydro One Inc.’s $2,300 million commercial 
paper program which would mature within one year of issuance. The 
Company also plans to incur continued material capital expenditures 
for each of 2022 and 2023. Cash generated from operations, after 
the payment of expected dividends, will not be sufficient to fund 
the repayment of the Company’s existing indebtedness and capital 
expenditures. The Company’s ability to arrange sufficient and 
cost-effective debt financing could be materially adversely affected 
by numerous factors, including the regulatory environment in Ontario, 
the Company’s results of operations and financial position, market 
conditions, the ratings assigned to its debt securities by credit 
rating agencies, an inability of the Company to comply with its debt 
covenants, and general economic conditions (such as, among other 
things, changes in interest rates). A downgrade in the Company’s credit 
ratings could restrict the Company’s ability to access debt capital 
markets and increase the Company’s cost of debt. Any failure or inability 
on the Company’s part to borrow the required amounts of debt on 
satisfactory terms could impair its ability to repay maturing debt, fund 
capital expenditures and meet other obligations and requirements and, 
as a result, could have a material adverse effect on the Company. 

Market, Financial Instrument and Credit Risk
Market risk refers primarily to the risk of loss that results from changes 
in costs, foreign exchange rates and interest rates, including potentially 
negative interest rates. The Company is exposed to fluctuations in 
interest rates as its regulated ROE is derived using a formulaic approach 
that takes into account anticipated interest rates. The Company issues 
debt from time to time to refinance maturing debt and for general 
corporate purposes. The Company is therefore exposed to fluctuations 
in interest rates in relation to such issuances of debt. Fluctuations in 
interest rates may also impact the funded position of Hydro One’s 
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, and associated pension liability (See also 
“– Pension Plan Risk”). The Company is not currently exposed to 
material foreign exchange risk. 

The OEB-approved adjustment formula for calculating ROE in a deemed 
regulatory capital structure of 60% debt and 40% equity provides for 
increases and decreases depending on changes in benchmark interest 

39

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021rates for Government of Canada debt and the A-rated utility corporate 
bond yield spread. For the transmission and distribution businesses 
in 2022, the OEB does not expect to address annual rate applications 
for updates to allowed ROE, so fluctuations will have no impact to net 
income. The Company has interest rate exposure associated with the 
refinancing of short- and long-term debt maturing in 2022 and beyond, 
as well as with debt issued for general corporate purposes which may 
include debt issued in relation to growth in rate base. The Company 
periodically uses interest rate swap agreements to mitigate elements of 
interest rate risk.

would result in the inability of the Company to recover the investment 
in the project as well as forfeit the anticipated return on investment. 
The assets involved may be considered impaired and result in the write 
off of the value of the asset, negatively impacting net income. If the 
Company is unable to carry out capital expenditure plans in a timely 
manner, equipment performance may degrade, which may reduce 
network capacity, result in customer interruptions, compromise the 
reliability of the Company’s networks or increase the costs of operating 
and maintaining these assets. Any of these consequences could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company.

Financial assets create a risk that a counterparty will fail to discharge 
an obligation, causing a financial loss. Derivative financial instruments 
result in exposure to credit risk, since there is a risk of counterparty 
default. Hydro One monitors and minimizes credit risk through various 
techniques, including dealing with highly rated counterparties, limiting 
total exposure levels with individual counterparties, entering into 
agreements which enable net settlement, and monitoring the financial 
condition of counterparties. The Company does not trade in any energy 
derivatives. The Company is required to procure electricity on behalf of 
competitive electricity retailers and certain local distribution companies 
for resale to their customers. The resulting concentrations of credit 
risk are mitigated through the use of various security arrangements, 
including letters of credit, which are incorporated into the Company’s 
service agreements with these retailers in accordance with the OEB’s 
Retail Settlement Code. 

The failure to properly manage these risks could have a material adverse 
effect on the Company.

Risks Relating to Asset Condition, Capital Projects and Innovation
The Company continually incurs sustainment and development capital 
expenditures and monitors the condition of its assets to manage the 
risk of equipment failures and to determine the need for and timing 
of major refurbishments and replacements of its transmission and 
distribution infrastructure. 

While traditionally a mature and stable industry, the electricity industry 
is facing rapid and dramatic technological change and increasing 
innovation, the consequences of which could have a material adverse 
effect on the Company, including a reduction in revenue.

Execution of the Company’s capital expenditure programs is partially 
dependent on external factors, such as OEB approvals, environmental 
approvals, municipal permits, equipment outage schedules that 
accommodate the IESO, generators and transmission-connected 
customers, other interrelated projects being on schedule, and supply 
chain availability for equipment suppliers and consulting services. Many 
of these external factors are beyond the Company’s control. There may 
also be a need for, among other things, Environmental Assessment 
Act (Ontario) approvals, approvals which require public meetings, 
appropriate engagement with Indigenous communities, OEB approvals 
of expropriation or early access to property, and other activities. 
Obtaining approvals and carrying out these processes may also be 
impacted by opposition to the proposed site of the capital investments. 
Delays in obtaining required approvals or failure to complete capital 
projects on a timely basis could materially adversely affect transmission 
reliability or customers’ service quality or increase maintenance costs 
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Failure 
to receive approvals for projects when spending has already occurred 

40

Increased competition for the development of large transmission 
projects and legislative changes relating to the selection of transmitters 
could impact the Company’s ability to expand its existing transmission 
system, which may have an adverse effect on the Company. To the 
extent that other parties are selected to construct, own and operate 
new transmission assets, the Company’s share of Ontario’s transmission 
network would be reduced. Any delays in these new transmitters’ 
projects may impact the Company’s own projects that it is undertaking 
to in-service these new transmission assets. 

Health and Safety Risk
Hydro One’s work environment can be inherently dangerous and there 
is a risk to health and safety of both the public and our employees, 
as well as possible resultant operational and/or financial impacts. The 
Company is subject to federal and provincial legislation and regulations 
relating to health and safety. Findings of a failure to comply with these 
requirements could result in penalties and reputational risk, which could 
negatively impact the Company. Failure to comply could subject the 
Company to fines or other penalties. Any regulatory decision to disallow 
or limit the recovery of such costs could have a material adverse effect 
on the Company. 

Pension Plan Risk
Hydro One has the Hydro One Defined Benefit Pension Plan in place 
for the majority of its employees. Contributions to the pension plan 
are established by actuarial valuations which are required to be 
filed with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario on 
a triennial basis. The most recently filed valuation was prepared as 
at December 31, 2018, and was filed in September 2019, covering a 
three-year period from 2019 to 2021. The next required valuation will 
be prepared as at December 31, 2021 and is expected to be filed by no 
later than September 2022. Hydro One’s contributions to its pension 
plan satisfy, and are expected to continue to satisfy, minimum funding 
requirements. Contributions beyond 2022 will depend on the funded 
position of the plan, which is determined by investment returns, interest 
rates and changes in benefits and actuarial assumptions at that time. 
A determination by the OEB that some of the Company’s pension 
expenditures are not recoverable through rates could have a material 
adverse effect on the Company, and this risk may be exacerbated if the 
amount of required pension contributions increases.

Hydro One currently reports and recovers its pension costs on a cash 
basis, and maintains the accrual method with respect to OPEBs. 
Transitioning from the cash basis to an accrual method for pension 
costs may have material negative rate impacts for customers or 
material negative impacts on the Company should recovery of costs be 
disallowed by the OEB. 

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021See also “– Regulatory Risks and Risks Relating to Hydro One’s 
Revenues – Risk of Recoverability of Total Compensation Costs” for 
risks relating to recovery of pension costs.

Risk from Provincial Ownership of Transmission Corridors
The Province owns some of the corridor lands underlying the 
Company’s transmission system. Although the Company has the 
statutory right to use these transmission corridors, the Company may 
be limited in its options to expand or operate its systems. Also, other 
uses of the transmission corridors by third parties in conjunction with 
the operation of the Company’s systems, or adjacent land use by third 
parties, may increase safety or environmental risks, which could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company. 

Litigation Risks
In the normal course of the Company’s operations, it becomes 
involved in, is named as a party to and is the subject of, various legal 
proceedings, including regulatory proceedings, tax proceedings and 
legal actions, relating to actual or alleged violations of law, common 
law damages claims, personal injuries, property damage, property 
taxes, land rights, the environment, contract disputes, claims by 
former employees and claims and proceedings by Indigenous groups. 
The outcome of outstanding, pending or future proceedings cannot 
be predicted with certainty and may be determined adversely to the 
Company, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company. 
Even if the Company prevails in any such legal proceeding, the 
proceedings could be costly and time-consuming and would divert 
the attention of management and key personnel from the Company’s 
business operations, which could adversely affect the Company.

Transmission Assets on Third-Party Lands Risk
Some of the lands on which the Company’s transmission assets are 
located are owned by third parties, including the Province and federal 
Crown, and are or may become subject to land claims by First Nations. 
The Company requires valid occupation rights to occupy such lands 
(which may take the form of land use permits, easements or otherwise). 
If the Company does not have valid occupational rights on third-party 
owned or controlled lands or has occupancy rights that are subject to 
expiry, it may incur material costs to obtain or renew such occupancy 
rights, or if such occupancy rights cannot be renewed or obtained it 
may incur material costs to remove and relocate its assets and restore 
the subject land. If the Company does not have valid occupancy rights 
and must incur costs as a result, this could have a material adverse 
effect on the Company or otherwise materially adversely impact the 
Company’s operations. 

Reputational, Public Opinion and Political Risk
Reputation risk is the risk of negative publicity or the public’s negative 
perceptions towards Hydro One that may result in a detrimental impact 
to Hydro One’s business, operations or financial condition leading to 
a deterioration of Hydro One’s reputation. Hydro One’s reputation 
could be negatively impacted by changes in public opinion, attitudes 
towards the Company’s privatization, failure to deliver on its customer 
promises, failure to comply with mandatory reliability regulations 
established by the NERC and NPCC, failure to adequately respond to 
social issues raised by employees, partners and/stakeholders and other 
external forces. Adverse reputational events or political actions could 

have a material adverse effect on Hydro One’s business and prospects 
including, but not limited to, delays or denials of requisite approvals, 
such as denial of requested rates, and accommodations for Hydro One’s 
planned projects, escalated costs, legal or regulatory action, and 
damage to stakeholder and community relationships. Any of these 
could have a material adverse impact on Hydro One and its business, 
financial condition and results of operations. 

Risk Associated with Outsourcing Arrangements
Hydro One has entered into an outsourcing arrangement with a third 
party for the provision of certain back office and IT services. If the 
services are disrupted, it could have a material adverse effect on the 
Company. Additionally, if the outsourcing arrangement or statements 
of work thereunder are terminated for any reason or expire before a 
new supplier is selected and fully transitioned, the Company could be 
required to transfer to another service provider or insource, which could 
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating 
results, financial condition or prospects. 

Risks Associated with Acquisitions
Acquisitions include inherent risks that some or all of the expected 
benefits may fail to materialize, or may not occur within the time 
periods anticipated, and Hydro One may incur material unexpected 
costs or liabilities. Realization of the anticipated benefits would 
depend, in part, on the Company’s ability to successfully integrate the 
acquired business, including the requirement to devote management 
attention and resources to integrating business practices and support 
functions. The failure to realize the anticipated benefits, the diversion 
of management’s attention, or any delays or difficulties encountered 
in connection with the integration could have an adverse effect on 
the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition or 
cash flows. 

Risks Relating to the Common Shares of Hydro One Limited
Hydro One’s Common Shares trade on the TSX. The trading price of the 
Common Shares has in the past been, and may in the future be, subject 
to significant fluctuations. These fluctuations may be caused by events 
or factors related or unrelated to Hydro One’s operating performance 
and/or beyond its control, including: the risk factors described herein; 
general economic conditions within Ontario and Canada, including 
changes in interest rates; inflation; changes in electricity prices; 
changes in electricity demand; weather conditions; actual or anticipated 
fluctuations in Hydro One’s quarterly and annual results and the results 
of public companies similar to Hydro One; Hydro One’s businesses, 
operations, results and prospects; Hydro One’s reputation and its 
relationship with the Province; the timing and amount of dividends,  
if any, declared on the Common Shares; future issuances of Common 
Shares or other securities by Hydro One or Hydro One Inc.; Hydro One’s 
relationship with its regulator; changes in government regulation, 
taxes, legal proceedings or other developments; shortfalls in Hydro 
One’s operating results from levels forecasted by securities analysts; 
investor sentiment toward energy companies in general; maintenance 
of acceptable credit ratings or credit quality; the impact of COVID-19 
on Hydro One and the Province; and the general state of the securities 
markets. These and other factors may impair the development or 
sustainability of a liquid market for the Common Shares and the ability 
of investors to sell Common Shares at an attractive price. 

41

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Risks Relating to the Company’s Relationship with 
the Province

Ownership and Continued Influence by the Province and Voting Power; 
Share Ownership Restrictions
The Province currently owns approximately 47.2% of the outstanding 
common shares of Hydro One. The Electricity Act, 1998 (Ontario) 
(Electricity Act) restricts the Province from selling voting securities of 
Hydro One (including common shares) of any class or series if it would 
own less than 40% of the outstanding number of voting securities of 
that class or series after the sale and in certain circumstances also 
requires the Province to take steps to maintain that level of ownership. 
Accordingly, the Province is expected to continue to maintain a 
significant ownership interest in voting securities of Hydro One for an 
indefinite period.

As a result of its significant ownership of the common shares of 
Hydro One, the Province has, and is expected indefinitely to have, the 
ability to determine or significantly influence the outcome of shareholder 
votes, subject to the restrictions in the Governance Agreement between 
Hydro One and the Province dated November 5, 2015 (Governance 
Agreement) (available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com). Despite the terms 
of the Governance Agreement in which the Province has agreed to 
engage in the business and affairs of the Company as an investor and 
not as a manager, there is a risk that the Province’s engagement in the 
business and affairs of the Company as an investor will be informed by 
its policy objectives and may influence the conduct of the business and 
affairs of the Company in ways that may not be aligned with the interests 
of other investors. Notwithstanding the Governance Agreement, and 
in light of actions historically taken by the Province, there can be no 
assurance that the Province will not take other actions in the future that 
could be detrimental to the interests of investors in Hydro One.  
See “Risks Relating to Government Action” above.

The share ownership restrictions in the Electricity Act (Share Ownership 
Restrictions) and the Province’s significant ownership of common 
shares of Hydro One together effectively prohibit one or more persons 
acting together from acquiring control of Hydro One. They also may 
limit or discourage transactions involving other fundamental changes to 
Hydro One and the ability of other shareholders to successfully contest 
the election of the directors proposed for election pursuant to the 
Governance Agreement. The Share Ownership Restrictions may also 
discourage trading in, and may limit the market for, the common shares 
and other voting securities.

Nomination of Directors and Confirmation of Chief Executive Officer 
(CEO) and Chair 
Although director nominees (other than the CEO) are required to be 
independent of both the Company and the Province pursuant to the 
Governance Agreement, there is a risk that the Province will nominate 
or confirm individuals who satisfy the independence requirements 
but who it considers are disposed to support and advance its policy 
objectives and give disproportionate weight to the Province’s interests 
in exercising their business judgment and balancing the interests of the 
stakeholders of Hydro One. This, combined with the fact certain matters 
require a two-thirds vote of the Board, could allow the Province to 
unduly influence certain Board actions such as confirmation of the Chair 
and confirmation of the CEO. 

Board Removal Rights
Under the Governance Agreement, the Province has the right to 
withhold from voting in favour of all director nominees and has the right 
to seek to remove and replace the entire Board, including in each case 
its own director nominees but excluding the CEO and, at the Province’s 
discretion, the Chair. In exercising these rights in any particular 
circumstance, the Province is entitled to vote in its sole interest, 
which may not be aligned with the interests of other stakeholders of 
Hydro One.

More Extensive Regulation
Although under the Governance Agreement, the Province has agreed 
to engage in the business and affairs of Hydro One as an investor and 
not as a manager and has stated that its intention is to achieve its policy 
objectives through legislation and regulation as it would with respect to 
any other utility operating in Ontario, there is a risk that the Province will 
exercise its legislative and regulatory power to achieve policy objectives 
in a manner that has a material adverse effect on the Company. 
See “Risks Relating to Government Action” above. 

Prohibitions on Selling the Company’s Transmission or 
Distribution Business
The Electricity Act prohibits the Company from selling all or 
substantially all of the business, property or assets related to its 
transmission system or distribution system that is regulated by the 
OEB. There is a risk that these prohibitions may limit the ability of the 
Company to engage in sale transactions involving a substantial portion 
of either system, even where such a transaction may otherwise be 
considered to provide substantial benefits to the Company and the 
holders of the common shares. 

Future Sales of Common Shares by the Province
Although the Province has indicated that it does not intend to 
sell further common shares of Hydro One, the registration rights 
agreement between Hydro One and the Province dated November 5, 
2015 (available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) grants the Province the 
right to request that Hydro One file one or more prospectuses and 
take other procedural steps to facilitate secondary offerings by the 
Province of the common shares of Hydro One. Future sales of common 
shares of Hydro One by the Province, or the perception that such sales 
could occur, may materially adversely affect market prices for these 
common shares and impede Hydro One’s ability to raise capital through 
the issuance of additional common shares, including the number of 
common shares that Hydro One may be able to sell at a particular time 
or the total proceeds that may be realized. 

Limitations on Enforcing the Governance Agreement
The Governance Agreement includes commitments by the Province 
restricting the exercise of its rights as a holder of voting securities, 
including with respect to the maximum number of directors that the 
Province may nominate and on how the Province will vote with respect 
to other director nominees. Hydro One’s ability to obtain an effective 
remedy against the Province, if the Province were not to comply with 
these commitments, is limited as a result of the Proceedings Against 
the Crown Act (Ontario). This legislation provides that the remedies 
of injunction and specific performance are not available against the 
Province, although a court may make an order declaratory of the rights 
of the parties, which may influence the Province’s actions. A remedy 

42

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021of damages would be available to Hydro One, but damages may not 
be an effective remedy, depending on the nature of the Province’s 
non-compliance with the Governance Agreement. 

Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments
The preparation of Hydro One Consolidated Financial Statements 
requires the Company to make key estimates and critical judgments 
that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and 
costs, and related disclosures of contingencies. Hydro One bases its 
estimates and judgments on historical experience, current conditions 
and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under 
the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making 
judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities, as well as 
identifying and assessing the Company’s accounting treatment with 
respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ 
from these estimates and judgments. Hydro One has identified the 
following critical accounting estimates used in the preparation of its 
Consolidated Financial Statements: 

Revenues 
Distribution revenues attributable to the delivery of electricity are based 
on OEB-approved distribution rates and are recognized on an accrual 
basis and include billed and unbilled revenues. Billed revenues are based 
on electricity delivered as measured from customer meters. At the 
end of each month, electricity delivered to customers since the date 
of the last billed meter reading is estimated, and the corresponding 
unbilled revenue is recorded. The unbilled revenue estimate is affected 
by energy consumption, weather, and changes in the composition of 
customer classes. 

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities 
Hydro One’s regulatory assets represent certain amounts receivable 
from future electricity customers and costs that have been deferred for 
accounting purposes because it is probable that they will be recovered 
in future rates. The regulatory assets mainly include amounts related 
to the deferred income taxes, pension benefit liability, post-retirement 
and post-employment non-service costs, environmental liabilities, 
share-based compensation costs and foregone revenue. The 
Company’s regulatory liabilities represent certain amounts that are 
refundable to future electricity customers. They pertain primarily to 
deferral and variance accounts. The regulatory assets and liabilities can 
be recognized for rate-setting and financial reporting purposes only if 
the amounts have been approved for inclusion in the electricity rates by 
the OEB, or if such approval is judged to be probable by management. 
If, at some future date, management judges that it is no longer 
probable that the OEB will allow the inclusion of a regulatory asset 
or liability in future electricity rates, the appropriate carrying amount 
would be reflected in results of operations prospectively from the date 
the Company’s assessment is made, unless the change meets the 
requirements for a subsequent event adjustment. 

Environmental Liabilities 
Hydro One records a liability for the estimated future expenditures 
associated with the removal and destruction of polychlorinated biphenyl 
(PCB)-contaminated insulating oils and related electrical equipment, 
and for the assessment and remediation of chemically contaminated 
lands. There are uncertainties in estimating future environmental costs 
due to potential external events such as changes in legislation or 

regulations and advances in remediation technologies. In determining 
the amounts to be recorded as environmental liabilities, the Company 
estimates the current cost of completing required work and makes 
assumptions as to when the future expenditures will actually be 
incurred, in order to generate future cash flow information. All factors 
used in estimating the Company’s environmental liabilities represent 
management’s best estimates of the present value of costs required 
to meet existing legislation or regulations. However, it is reasonably 
possible that numbers or volumes of contaminated assets, cost 
estimates to perform work, inflation assumptions and the assumed 
pattern of annual cash flows may differ significantly from the Company’s 
current assumptions. Environmental liabilities are reviewed annually or 
more frequently if significant changes in regulations or other relevant 
factors occur. Estimate changes are accounted for prospectively. 

Employee Future Benefits 
Hydro One’s employee future benefits consist of pension and post-
retirement and post-employment plans, and include pension, group life 
insurance, health care, and long-term disability benefits provided to the 
Company’s current and retired employees. Employee future benefits 
costs are included in Hydro One’s labour costs that are either charged 
to results of operations or capitalized as part of the cost of property, 
plant and equipment and intangible assets. Changes in assumptions 
affect the benefit obligation of the employee future benefits and the 
amounts that will be charged to results of operations or capitalized in 
future years. The following significant assumptions and estimates are 
used to determine employee future benefit costs and obligations: 

Weighted Average Discount Rate 
The weighted average discount rate used to calculate the employee 
future benefits obligation is determined at each year end by referring 
to the most recently available market interest rates based on “AA”-
rated corporate bond yields reflecting the duration of the applicable 
employee future benefit plan. The discount rate at December 31, 2021 
increased to 3.00% (from 2.60% at December 31, 2020) for pension 
benefits and increased to 3.00% (from 2.60% at December 31, 2020) 
for the post-retirement and post-employment plans. The increase 
in the discount rate has resulted in a corresponding decrease in 
employee future benefits liabilities for the pension, post-retirement 
and post-employment plans for accounting purposes. The liabilities 
are determined by independent actuaries using the projected benefit 
method prorated on service and based on assumptions that reflect 
management’s best estimates. 

Expected Rate of Return on Plan Assets 
The expected rate of return on pension plan assets of 5.40% (2020 – 
5.75%) is based on expectations of long-term rates of return at the 
beginning of the year and reflects the current pension plan asset mix. 
A new investment policy was adopted by Hydro One effective May 6, 
2021. The expected rate of return for the December 31, 2021 disclosures 
and the 2022 registered pension plan expense is based on the plan’s 
ultimate target asset mix. 

Rates of return on the respective portfolios are determined with 
reference to respective published market indices. The expected rate 
of return on pension plan assets reflects the Company’s long-term 
expectations. The Company believes that this assumption is reasonable 
because, with the pension plan’s balanced investment approach, the 
higher volatility of equity investment returns is intended to be offset by 

43

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021the greater stability of fixed-income and short-term investment returns. 
The net result, on a long-term basis, is a lower return than might be 
expected by investing in equities alone. In the short term, the pension 
plan can experience fluctuations in actual rates of return. 

Hydro One has increased its long term dental trend assumption for 
the purpose of the December 31, 2021 disclosures from 2.75% at 
December 31, 2020 to 4.00% at December 31, 2021. 

Rate of Cost of Living Increase 
The rate of cost of living increase is determined by considering 
differences between long-term Government of Canada nominal 
bonds and real return bonds, which increased from 1.40% per annum 
as at December 31, 2020 to approximately 1.80% per annum as at 
December 31, 2021. Based on the Bank of Canada’s commitment to 
keep long-term inflation between 1.00% and 3.00%, in addition to 
current and anticipated trends, management believes that a long-term 
assumption of 1.75% per annum is reasonable for employee future 
benefits liability valuation purposes as at December 31, 2021 (1.75% per 
annum was used for the purpose of December 31, 2020 disclosures and 
2021 benefit cost).

Salary Increase Assumptions 
Salary increases should reflect general wage increases plus an 
allowance for merit and promotional increases for current members 
of the plan and should be consistent with the assumptions for 
consumer price inflation and real wage growth in the economy. The 
merit and promotion scale was developed based on the salary increase 
assumption review performed in 2017. The review considers actual 
salary experience from 2002 to 2016 using valuation data for all active 
members as at December 31, 2016, based on age and service and 
Hydro One’s expectation of future salary increases. Additionally, the 
salary scale reflects negotiated salary increases over the contract 
period as well as slightly lower expected increases in the short term. 

Mortality Assumptions 
The Company’s employee future benefits liability is also impacted by 
changes in life expectancies used in mortality assumptions. Increases in 
life expectancies of plan members result in increases in the employee 
future benefits liability. For the pension and post-retirement plans, 
the mortality assumption used at December 31, 2021 is 90% of the 
2014 Canadian Pensioners Mortality Private Sector table projected 
generationally using improvement Scale B. The multiplier applied to 
the assumed mortality table has reduced from 95% at December 31, 
2020 to 90% at December 31, 2021 based on the result of a mortality 
experience study that was conducted in 2021. For the post-employment 
plan, the mortality assumption used at December 31, 2021 is the 
disability mortality table from the 2009-2015 Canadian Institute of 
Actuaries Group Long Term Disability Termination Study, which is the 
most recent publicly available table that reflects Canadian experience 
and is commonly used by Canadian plan sponsors. 

Rate of Increase in Health Care Cost Trends 
The costs of post-retirement and post-employment benefits are 
determined at the beginning of the year and are based on assumptions 
for expected claims experience and future health care cost inflation. 
For the post-retirement benefit plans, a study of Hydro One’s historical 
per capita health care cost trend experience was conducted in 2017. 
The health and dental trends reflect the results of this study as well as 
macroeconomic inputs such as the expected long-term rates of general 
inflation and real GDP growth. For the post-retirement plans, based on 
observed dental fee guide increases and recent historical experience, 

44

Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal 
Control Over Financial Reporting
Disclosure controls and procedures are the processes designed to 
ensure that information is recorded, processed, summarized and 
reported on a timely basis to the Company’s management, including 
its CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to make timely decisions regarding 
required disclosure in the MD&A and consolidated financial statements. 
At the direction of the Company’s CEO and CFO, management 
evaluated disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the 
period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, management 
concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were 
effective as at December 31, 2021.

Internal control over financial reporting is designed by, or under 
the direction of the CEO and CFO to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of 
consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance 
with US GAAP. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting 
framework includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the 
maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly 
reflect the transactions and disposition of the assets of the Company; 
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as 
necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements 
in accordance with US GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of 
the Company are being made only in accordance with authorization of 
management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized 
acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have 
a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

The Company’s management, at the direction of the CEO and CFO, 
evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of internal 
control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in 
the Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(COSO). Based on that evaluation, management concluded that the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as at 
December 31, 2021. 

Internal controls, no matter how well designed and operated, can 
provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control 
objectives and due to its inherent limitations, may not prevent or detect 
all misrepresentations. Furthermore, the effectiveness of internal control 
is affected by change and subject to the risk that internal control 
effectiveness may change over time. 

There were no changes in the design of the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting during the three months ended 
December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely 
to materially affect, the operation of the Company’s internal control 
over financial reporting. 

Management will continue to monitor its systems of internal control 
over reporting and disclosure and may make modifications from time to 
time as considered necessary. 

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021New Accounting Pronouncements
The following tables present Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) that are applicable 
to Hydro One: 

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

Guidance

Date issued Description

Effective date

Impact on Hydro One

ASU 
2018-14

August 
2018

Disclosure requirements related to single-employer defined benefit 
pension or other post-retirement benefit plans are added, removed 
or clarified to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in financial 
statement notes.

January 1, 2021

Resulted in the modification of 
certain disclosures associated 
with post-retirement and 
post-employment benefits 
that were previously included 
in the annual financial 
statements.

ASU  
2019-12

December 
2019

The amendments simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing 
certain exceptions to the general principles and improving consistent 
application of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance.

ASU 
2020-01

January 
2020

ASU 
2020-10

October 
2020

The amendments clarify the interaction of the accounting for equity 
securities under Topic 321, investments under the equity method 
of accounting in Topic 323 and the accounting for certain forward 
contracts and purchased options accounted for under Topic 815.

The amendments are intended to improve the Codification by ensuring 
the guidance required for an entity to disclose information in the notes 
of financial statements are codified in the disclosure sections to reduce 
the likelihood of disclosure requirements being missed. 

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

Guidance

Date issued Description

ASU 
2020-06

August 
2020

The update addresses the complexity associated with applying GAAP 
for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and 
equity. The amendments reduce the number of accounting models for 
convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock.

ASU 
2021-05

ASU 
2021-08

ASU 
2021-10

July 2021

The amendments are intended to align lease classification requirements 
for lessors under Topic 842 with Topic 840's practice. 

October 
2021

The amendments address how to determine whether a contract liability 
is recognized by the acquirer in a business combination. 

November 
2021

The update addresses the diversity on the recognition, measurement, 
presentation and disclosure of government assistance received by 
business entities. 

January 1, 2021

No impact upon adoption

January 1, 2021

No impact upon adoption

January 1, 2021

No impact upon adoption

Effective date

Anticipated Impact on Hydro One

January 1, 2022

No impact upon adoption

January 1, 2022

No impact upon adoption

January 1, 2023

Under assessment

January 1, 2022

Under assessment

45

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Summary of Fourth Quarter Results of Operations

Three months ended December 31 (millions of dollars, except EPS)

2021

2020

Change

Revenues

  Distribution

  Transmission

  Other

Costs

Purchased power

OM&A

  Distribution

  Transmission

  Other

Depreciation, amortization and asset removal costs

Income before financing charges and income tax expense

Financing charges

Income before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Net income

Net income to common shareholders of Hydro One
Adjusted net income to common shareholders of Hydro One10

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS

Basic Adjusted EPS10

Diluted Adjusted EPS10

Assets Placed In-Service

  Distribution

  Transmission

  Other

Capital Investments

  Distribution

  Transmission

  Other

1,457 

398 

12 

1,867 

(7.5%)

5.8%

(8.3%)

(4.7%)

1,046 

(12.6%)

1,347

421

11

1,779

914

161

103

15

279

247

185 

73 

15 

273 

239 

1,440

1,558 

339

123

216

55

161

159

159

$  0.27

$  0.26

$  0.27

$  0.26

257

526

3

786

221

303

8

532

309 

119 

190 

27 

163 

161  

161  

$  0.27

$  0.27

$  0.27

$  0.27

308 

565 

5 

878 

210 

361 

6 

577 

(13.0%)

41.1%

0.0%

2.2%

3.3%

(7.6%)

9.7%

3.4%

13.7%

103.7%

(1.2%)

(1.2%)

(1.2%)

0.0%

(3.7%)

0.0%

(3.7%)

(16.6%)

(6.9%)

(40.0%)

(10.5%)

5.2%

(16.1%)

33.3%

(7.8%)

10  Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS (basic and diluted) are non-GAAP financial measures. See section “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

Net Income
Net income attributable to common shareholders for the quarter ended 
December 31, 2021 of $159 million is a decrease of $2 million, or 1.2%, 
from the prior year. Significant influences on net income included: 

 ● higher revenues, net of purchased power,11 primarily resulting from: 

 — an increase in distribution revenues, net of purchased power, 

primarily resulting from 2021 OEB-approved rates and recovery 
of DTA Recovery Amounts pursuant to the DTA Implementation 
Decision, partially offset by regulatory adjustments; and

 — an increase in distribution revenues, net of purchased power, 
primarily resulting from 2021 OEB-approved rates and DTA 
Recovery Amounts pursuant to the DTA Implementation 
Decision, partially offset by higher regulatory adjustments. 

 ● higher OM&A costs primarily resulting from: 

46

 — higher project write-offs; and 

 — lower insurance proceeds received in the current year; and

 — higher corporate support costs; partially offset by

 — lower bad debt expense. 

 ● higher depreciation, amortization and asset removal costs primarily 
attributable to growth in capital assets as the Company continues 
to place new assets in-service, consistent with its ongoing capital 
investment program.

 ● higher income tax expense primarily attributable to the following: 

 — net tax expense relating to the DTA Recovery Amounts pursuant 

to the DTA Implementation Decision which is offset by a 
corresponding increase in revenue and is net income neutral; 
and 

 — higher pre-tax earnings. 

11  Revenues, net of purchased power, is a non-GAAP financial measure. See section 

"Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Included in the Company's results for the quarter ended 
December 31, 2021 are costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 
pandemic. Total OM&A costs in the quarter of $4 million (2020 – 
$18 million), are primarily attributable to purchases of additional 
facility-related cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment. 
For additional disclosure related to the impact of COVID-19 on the 
Company's operations, please see section “Other Developments – 
COVID-19”. 

EPS and Adjusted EPS
EPS and Adjusted EPS was $0.27 in the fourth quarter of 2021, 
compared to EPS and Adjusted EPS of $0.27 in the fourth quarter of 
2020. Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure. See section 
“Non-GAAP Financial Measures”. 

Revenues
The year-over-year increase of $23 million or 5.8% in quarterly 
transmission revenues was primarily due to the following: 

 ● higher revenues resulting from the DTA Recovery Amounts pursuant 

to the DTA Implementation Decision; and

 ● OEB-approved 2021 rates; partially offset by

 ● higher regulatory adjustments, including those related to 

external revenues. 

The year-over-year increase of $22 million or 5.4% in quarterly 
distribution revenues, net of purchased power12, was primarily due to 
the following:  

 ● OEB-approved 2021 rates;  

Financing Charges 
The $4 million or 3.4% increase in financing charges for the quarter 
ended December 31, 2021, was primarily due to higher debt levels. 

Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 
$28 million compared to the same period in 2020. This resulted in 
a realized ETR of approximately 25.5% in the fourth quarter of 2021, 
compared to approximately 14.2% in the fourth quarter of the prior year. 

The increase in income tax expense for the three months ended 
December 31, 2021 was primarily attributable to: 

 ●

tax expense relating to the DTA Recovery Amounts pursuant 
to the OEB’s DTA Implementation Decision which is offset by a 
corresponding increase in revenues and is net income neutral; and

 ● higher pre-tax earnings.

Assets Placed In-Service
The decrease in transmission assets placed in-service during the fourth 
quarter was primarily due to the following: 

 ●

 ●

lower volume of assets placed in-service for overhead lines and 
component replacements and IT projects; and

timing of assets placed in-service including Sheppard transmission 
station, Leaside transmission station, Gage transmission station, 
and Chenaux transmission station, partially offset by the East-West 
Tie Connection, Stanley transmission station, and the new shunter 
reactors at Lennox transmission station); partially offset by 

 ● higher volume of work required to adhere to the NERC Critical 

 ● higher revenues resulting from the DTA Recovery Amounts pursuant 

Infrastructure Protection standards placed in service. 

to the DTA Implementation Decision; and

 ● higher revenues year-over-year following the temporary suspension 
of late payment charges in the prior year, which were accompanied 
by the Company’s efforts to help customers access relief programs, 
including flexible payment options; partially offset by 

 ● higher regulatory adjustments mainly related to the Earnings 

Sharing Mechanism. 

OM&A Costs
The year-over-year increase of $30 million or 41.1% in quarterly 
transmission OM&A costs was primarily due to the following: 

 ● higher project write-offs;

 ●

lower insurance proceeds received in 2021;

 ● higher corporate support costs; and 

 ● higher volume of work on vegetation management. 

The year-over-year decrease of $24 million or 13.0% in distribution 
OM&A costs during the quarter was primarily due to lower bad debt 
expenses and lower costs within the Peterborough Distribution and 
Orillia Power operations. 

Depreciation, Amortization and Asset Removal Costs
The increase of $8 million or 3.3% in depreciation, amortization and 
asset removal costs in the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily due to 
growth in capital assets as the Company continues to place new assets 
in-service, consistent with its ongoing capital investment program. 

12  Revenues, net of purchased power is a non-GAAP financial measure. See section 

"Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

The decrease in distribution assets placed in-service during the fourth 
quarter was primarily due to the following: 

 ●

 ●

lower volume of IT projects; and

completion of the Woodstock Operation Centre in the fourth quarter 
of 2020; partially offset by

 ● higher volume of work on storm-related asset replacements. 

Capital Investments
The decrease in transmission capital investments during the fourth 
quarter was primarily due to the following: 

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

lower volume of station refurbishments and replacements; 

investment in the new Ontario grid control centre in the City of Orillia 
which was substantially completed in the third quarter of 2021; 

lower spend on facility sustainment investment; 

lower spend on work required to adhere to the NERC Critical 
Infrastructure Protection standards; and 

 ●

lower spend on investments in multi-year development projects. 

The increase in distribution capital investments during the fourth quarter 
was primarily due to the following: 

 ● higher investments in system capability reinforcement projects; 

 ● higher volume of work on customer connections; and

 ● higher volume of storm-related asset replacements;  

partially offset by

47

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

investment in the new Ontario grid control centre in the City of Orillia 
which was substantially completed in the third quarter of 2021; 

lower spend on IT projects; 

lower spend on minor fixed assets purchases; and

completion of the Woodstock Operation Centre in the last quarter 
of 2020.  

Hydro One Holdings Limited – Consolidating 
Summary Financial Information
Hydro One Limited fully and unconditionally guarantees the payment 
obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiary Hydro One Holdings 
Limited (HOHL) issuable under the short form base shelf prospectus 
dated December 17, 2020. Accordingly, the following consolidating 
summary financial information is provided in compliance with the 
requirements of section 13.4 of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous 
Disclosure Obligations providing for an exemption for certain credit 
support issuers. The tables below contain consolidating summary 
financial information as at and for the years ended December 31, 2021 
and December 31, 2020 for: (i) Hydro One Limited; (ii) HOHL; (iii) the 
subsidiaries of Hydro One Limited, other than HOHL, on a combined 
basis, (iv) consolidating adjustments, and (v) Hydro One Limited and 
all of its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, in each case for the 
periods indicated. Such summary financial information is intended to 
provide investors with meaningful and comparable financial information 
about Hydro One Limited and its subsidiaries. This summary financial 
information should be read in conjunction with Hydro One Limited's 
most recently issued annual financial statements. This summary 
financial information has been prepared in accordance with US GAAP,  
as issued by the FASB. 

Year ended December 31
(millions of dollars)

Hydro One  
Limited

HOHL

Revenue

Net Income (Loss) Attributable 
to Common Shareholders

2021

629

630

2020

2021

2020

9

(7)

—

—

—

—

Subsidiaries of  
Hydro One Limited,  
other than HOHL

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total Consolidated  
Amounts of Hydro  
One Limited

2021

7,983

2020

2021

7,694

(1,387)

2020

(413)

2021

7,225

2020

7,290

1,665

2,127

(1,330)

(350)

965

1,770

Subsidiaries of  
Hydro One Limited,  
other than HOHL

Consolidating 
Adjustments

Total Consolidated  
Amounts of Hydro  
One Limited

2021

2,742

2020

2021

2020

2021

3,446

(1,013)

(1,554)

1,826

2020

1,989

— 45,019

44,408 (19,912)

(19,529) 28,557

28,305

—

3,507

4,066

(1,004)

(1,541)

2,978

2,979

— 28,892

28,810 (12,888)

(12,546) 16,429

16,687

HOHL

2021

2020

—

—

—

—

—

As at December 31
(millions of dollars)

Current Assets

Non-Current Assets

Current Liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities

Hydro One  
Limited

2021

97

2020

97

3,450

3,426

475

425

454

423

48

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Forward-looking Statements and Information 
The Company’s oral and written public communications, including 
this document, often contain forward-looking statements that are 
based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections 
about the Company’s business, the industry, regulatory and economic 
environments in which it operates, and includes beliefs and assumptions 
made by the management of the Company. Such statements 
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Company’s 
transmission and distribution rate applications including the JRAP and 
its proposed investment plan, resulting and related decisions including 
the DTA Implementation Decision, as well as resulting rates, recovery 
and expected impacts and timing; expectations about the Company’s 
liquidity and capital resources and operational requirements, including 
as result of COVID-19; the Operating Credit Facilities; expectations 
regarding the Company’s financing activities; the Company’s maturing 
debt; the Company’s ongoing and planned projects, initiatives and 
expected capital investments, including expected results, costs and 
in-service and completion dates; the Company's response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, including in relation to customer relief measures 
and safety; the potential impact of COVID-19, including its variants, on 
the Company’s business and operations, and potential future actions 
that the Company may take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and 
its anticipated impacts; contractual obligations and other commercial 
commitments; the expected timing for the filing of actuarial valuations 
with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario; the number 
of Hydro One common shares issuable in connection with outstanding 
awards under the share grant plans and the LTIP; collective agreements, 
including the renewal and expiry thereof; Bill 257, related regulations 
and the expected timing and impacts; future pension contributions; 
dividends; non-GAAP financial measures; risks relating to infectious 
disease outbreak; internal controls over financial reporting and 
disclosure; recent accounting-related guidance; the MTN Program; the 
Universal Base Shelf Prospectus; and the US Debt Shelf Prospectus. 
Words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “attempt”, “may”, “plan”, 
“will”, “would”, “believe”, “seek”, “estimate”, “goal”, “aim”, “target”, and 
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify 
such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees 
of future performance and involve assumptions and risks and 
uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes 
and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or 
forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Hydro One does not 
intend, and it disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking 
statements, except as required by law.

These forward-looking statements are based on a variety of factors and 
assumptions including, but not limited to, the following: the scope of 
the COVID-19 pandemic and duration thereof as well as the effect and 
severity of corporate and other mitigation measures on the Company’s 
operations, supply chain or employees; no unforeseen changes in the 
legislative and operating framework for Ontario’s electricity market or 
for Hydro One specifically; favourable decisions from the OEB and other 
regulatory bodies concerning outstanding and future rate and other 
applications; no unexpected delays in obtaining the required approvals; 
no unforeseen changes in rate orders or rate setting methodologies 
for the Company’s distribution and transmission businesses; continued 
use of US GAAP; a stable regulatory environment; no unfavourable 
changes in environmental regulation; no significant changes to the 
Company's current credit ratings; no unforeseen impacts of new 

accounting pronouncements; no changes to expectations regarding 
electricity consumption; no unforeseen changes to economic and 
market conditions; recoverability of costs and expenses related to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, including the costs of customer defaults resulting 
from the pandemic; completion of operating and capital projects 
that have been deferred; and no significant event occurring outside 
the ordinary course of business. These assumptions are based on 
information currently available to the Company, including information 
obtained from third-party sources. Actual results may differ materially 
from those predicted by such forward-looking statements. While 
Hydro One does not know what impact any of these differences may 
have, the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition 
and credit stability may be materially adversely affected. Factors that 
could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the 
results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, 
among other things:

 ●

a significant expansion in length or severity of the COVID-19 
pandemic, including the spread of its variants, restricting or 
prohibiting the Company’s operations or significantly impacting the 
Company’s supply chain or workforce;

 ●

severity of mitigation measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic; 

 ● delays in completion of and increases in costs of operating and 

capital projects; 

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

regulatory risks and risks relating to Hydro One’s revenues, including 
risks relating to rate orders and the rate-setting models for 
transmission and distribution, actual performance against forecasts 
and capital expenditures, competition with other transmitters 
and other applications to the OEB, the recoverability of total 
compensation costs or denials of applications;

risks associated with the Province’s share ownership of Hydro 
One and other relationships with the Province, including potential 
conflicts of interest that may arise between Hydro One, the Province 
and related parties, risks associated with the Province’s exercise of 
further legislative and regulatory powers in the implementation of 
the Hydro One Accountability Act, risks relating to the ability of the 
Company to attract and retain qualified executive talent or the risk 
of a credit rating downgrade for the Company and its impact on the 
Company’s funding and liquidity;

risks relating to the location of the Company’s assets on reserve (as 
defined in the Indian Act (Canada)) (Reserve) lands and the risk that 
Hydro One may incur significant costs associated with transferring 
assets located on Reserves;

the risk that the Company may be unable to comply with 
regulatory and legislative requirements or that the Company may 
incur additional costs for compliance that are not recoverable 
through rates;

the risk of exposure of the Company’s facilities to the effects of 
severe weather conditions, natural disasters, man-made events or 
other unexpected occurrences for which the Company is uninsured 
or for which the Company could be subject to claims for damage;

the risk of non-compliance with environmental regulations and 
inability to recover environmental expenditures in rate applications 
and the risk that assumptions that form the basis of the Company’s 
recorded environmental liabilities and related regulatory assets 
may change;

49

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

risks associated with information system security and maintaining 
complex information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) 
system infrastructure, including system failures or risks of cyber-
attacks or unauthorized access to corporate IT and OT systems;

the risk of labour disputes and inability to negotiate or renew 
appropriate collective agreements on acceptable terms consistent 
with the Company’s rate decisions;

risks related to the Company’s work force demographic and its 
potential inability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

the risk that the Company is not able to arrange sufficient 
cost-effective financing to repay maturing debt and to fund 
capital expenditures;

risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates and failure to 
manage exposure to credit and financial instrument risk;

risks associated with economic uncertainty and financial 
market volatility;

the risk that the Company may not be able to execute plans for 
capital projects necessary to maintain the performance of the 
Company’s assets or to carry out projects in a timely manner or 
the risk of increased competition for the development of large 
transmission projects or legislative changes affecting the selection 
of transmitters;

risks associated with asset condition, capital projects and 
innovation, including public opposition to or delays or denials of 
the requisite approvals and accommodations for the Company’s 
planned projects;

the risk of failure to mitigate significant health and safety risks;

the risk of not being able to recover the Company’s pension 
expenditures in future rates and uncertainty regarding the future 
regulatory treatment of pension, other post-employment benefits 
and post-retirement benefits costs;

the impact of the ownership by the Province of lands underlying the 
Company’s transmission system; 

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

 ●

the risk associated with legal proceedings that could be costly, 
time-consuming or divert the attention of management and key 
personnel from the Company’s business operations; 

the impact if the Company does not have valid occupational rights 
on third-party owned or controlled lands and the risks associated 
with occupational rights of the Company that may be subject 
to expiry;

risks relating to adverse reputational events or political actions; 

the potential that Hydro One may incur significant expenses 
to replace functions currently outsourced if agreements are 
terminated or expire before a new service provider is selected; 

risks relating to acquisitions, including the failure to realize 
anticipated benefits of such transaction at all, or within the time 
periods anticipated, and unexpected costs incurred in relation 
thereto;

the inability to prepare financial statements using US GAAP; and

the risk related to the impact of any new accounting 
pronouncements.

Hydro One cautions the reader that the above list of factors is not 
exhaustive. Some of these and other factors are discussed in more 
detail in the section entitled “Risk Management and Risk Factors” in 
this MD&A. 

In addition, Hydro One cautions the reader that information provided 
in this MD&A regarding the Company’s outlook on certain matters, 
including potential future investments, is provided in order to give 
context to the nature of some of the Company’s future plans and may 
not be appropriate for other purposes. 

Additional information about Hydro One, including the Company’s 
Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, 
the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR website 
at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, and the Company’s website at 
www.HydroOne.com/Investors. 

50

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Management’s Report

The Consolidated Financial Statements, Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis (MD&A) and related financial information have been 
prepared by the management of Hydro One Limited (Hydro One or the 
Company). Management is responsible for the integrity, consistency and 
reliability of all such information presented. The Consolidated Financial 
Statements have been prepared in accordance with United States 
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and applicable securities 
legislation. The MD&A has been prepared in accordance with National 
Instrument 51-102.

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements and 
information in the MD&A involves the use of estimates and assumptions 
based on management’s judgment, particularly when transactions 
affecting the current accounting period cannot be finalized with 
certainty until future periods. Estimates and assumptions are based on 
historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions 
believed to be reasonable in the circumstances, with critical analysis 
of the significant accounting policies followed by the Company as 
described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The 
preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the MD&A 
includes information regarding the estimated impact of future events 
and transactions. The MD&A also includes information regarding 
sources of liquidity and capital resources, operating trends, risks and 
uncertainties. Actual results in the future may differ materially from 
the present assessment of this information because future events and 
circumstances may not occur as expected. 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate 
disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial 
reporting as described in the annual MD&A. Management evaluated 
the effectiveness of the design and operation of disclosure controls 
and procedures and internal control over financial reporting based 
on the framework and criteria established in the Internal Control - 
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on that 
evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control 
over financial reporting was effective at a reasonable level of assurance 
as of December 31, 2021. As required, the results of that evaluation were 
reported to the Audit Committee of the Hydro One Board of Directors 
and the external auditors. 

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been audited by KPMG LLP, 
independent external auditors appointed by the shareholders of the 
Company. The external auditors’ responsibility is to express their opinion 
on whether the Consolidated Financial Statements are fairly presented 
in all material respects in conformity with United States Generally 
Accepted Accounting Principles. The Report of Independent Registered 
Public Accounting Firm outlines the scope of their examination and 
their opinion. 

The Hydro One Board of Directors, through its Audit Committee, is 
responsible for ensuring that management fulfills its responsibilities 
for financial reporting and internal control over financial reporting 
and disclosure. The Audit Committee of Hydro One met periodically 
with management, the internal auditors and the external auditors to 
satisfy itself that each group had properly discharged its respective 
responsibility with respect to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
before recommending approval by the Board of Directors. The external 
auditors had direct and full access to the Audit Committee, with and 
without the presence of management, to discuss their audit findings. 

On behalf of Hydro One’s management:

Mark Poweska

Christopher Lopez

President and Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

51

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Hydro One Limited 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of 
Hydro One Limited (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, 
the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive 
income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in 
the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes 
(collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the 
consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, 
the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 
2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the 
years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity 
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 

Basis for Opinion 
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the 
Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on 
these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a 
public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting 
Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be 
independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. 
federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the 
PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to 
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial 
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or 
fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to 
perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of 
our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control 
over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion 
on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial 
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material 
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to 
error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. 
Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding 
the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. 
Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and 
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the 
overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe 
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

Critical Audit Matter 
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from 
the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements 
that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit 
committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are 
material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved 
our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The 
communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our 
opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and 
we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing 
a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or 
disclosures to which it relates. 

Evaluation of regulatory assets and liabilities and the impact 
of rate regulation on the consolidated financial statements 
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the 
Company accounts for its regulated operations in accordance with 
Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standard Codification 

52

Topic 980, Regulated Operations (ASC 980). Under ASC 980, the actions 
of the Company’s regulator may result in the recognition of revenue 
and costs in time periods that are different than non-rate-regulated 
enterprises. When this occurs, the Company records incurred and 
allowed costs that it has assessed are probable of recovery in future 
electricity rates as regulatory assets or property, plant and equipment. 
Obligations imposed or probable to be imposed by the regulator to 
refund previously collected revenue or expenditure of revenue collected 
from customers on future costs are recorded as regulatory liabilities. 
As disclosed in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, as of 
December 31, 2021, the Company’s regulatory assets were $3,787 million 
and regulatory liabilities were $372 million. 

We identified the evaluation of regulatory assets and liabilities and 
the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter. Accounting 
for regulated operations under ASC 980 affects multiple financial 
statement accounts and disclosures in the Company’s consolidated 
financial statements. Assessing the accounting for regulated operations 
requires industry knowledge and significant auditor judgment due 
to interpretations of regulatory decisions and judgments involved in 
evaluating the Company’s assessment of the probability associated with 
recovery of regulatory assets and property, plant and equipment, and 
imposition of regulatory liabilities. 

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this 
critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating 
effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s regulatory 
accounting process. This included controls over the evaluation of 
the probability of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs deferred as 
regulatory assets, and (2) a refund of previously collected revenue 
or expenditure of revenue collected from customers on future costs 
that should be reported as regulatory liabilities, and controls over 
the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may 
affect the probability of recovering costs in future rates or imposing of 
regulatory liabilities. We evaluated the Company’s assessment of the 
probability of recovery of the carrying amount of regulatory assets and 
property, plant and equipment and the imposition of regulatory liabilities, 
through consideration of selected on-going regulatory proceedings 
and decisions. For a selection of regulatory proceedings and decisions, 
we read the Company’s assessment and interpretations and any 
written advice of management’s external specialists with respect to the 
selected assessments and interpretations. For a selection of regulatory 
assets and liabilities, we recalculated the amounts recorded based on 
methodologies approved by the regulator and agreed the data used in 
the calculations to the Company’s underlying books and records. We 
compared the amounts calculated by the Company to the amounts 
recorded in the consolidated financial statements. 

Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2008.

Toronto, Canada  
February 24, 2022

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Consolidated Statements of Operations  
and Comprehensive Income 

Year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

2021

2020

Revenues 

Distribution (includes $286 related party revenues; 2020 – $283) (Note 29)

Transmission (includes $1,833 related party revenues; 2020 – $1,718) (Note 29)

Other (Note 29)

Costs

Purchased power (includes $2,252 related party costs; 2020 - $2,513) (Note 29)

Operation, maintenance and administration (Note 29)

Depreciation, amortization and asset removal costs (Note 5)

Income before financing charges and income tax expense

Financing charges (Note 6)

Income before income tax expense

Income tax expense (recovery) (Note 7)

Net income 

Other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 8)

Comprehensive income 

Net income attributable to:

  Noncontrolling interest (Note 28)

  Preferred shareholders (Note 24)

  Common shareholders

Comprehensive income attributable to:

  Noncontrolling interest (Note 28)

  Preferred shareholders (Note 24)

  Common shareholders

Earnings per common share (Note 26)

  Basic

  Diluted

Dividends per common share declared (Note 25)

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

5,359

1,824

42

7,225

3,579

1,112

922

5,613

1,612

461

1,151

178

973

17

990

8

—

965

973

8

—

982

990

$1.61

$1.61

$1.05

5,507

1,740

43

7,290

3,854

1,070

884

5,808

1,482

471

1,011

(785)

1,796

(24)

1,772

8

18

1,770

1,796

8

18

1,746

1,772

$2.96

$2.95

$1.00

53

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 

As at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars)

2021

2020

Assets

Current assets:

  Cash and cash equivalents

  Accounts receivable (Note 9)

  Due from related parties (Note 29)

  Other current assets (Note 10)

Property, plant and equipment (Note 11)

Other long-term assets:

  Regulatory assets (Note 13)

  Deferred income tax assets (Note 7)

Intangible assets (Note 12)

  Goodwill (Note 4)

  Other assets (Note 14)

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities:

  Short-term notes payable (Note 17)

  Long-term debt payable within one year (includes $nil measured at fair value; 2020 – $303) (Notes 17, 18)

  Accounts payable and other current liabilities (Note 15)

  Due to related parties (Note 29)

Long-term liabilities:

  Long-term debt (Notes 17, 18)

  Regulatory liabilities (Note 13)

  Deferred income tax liabilities (Note 7)

  Other long-term liabilities (Note 16) 

Total liabilities

Contingencies and Commitments (Notes 31, 32)

Subsequent Events (Note 34)

Noncontrolling interest subject to redemption (Note 28)

Equity

  Common shares (Note 24)

  Additional paid-in capital (Note 27)

  Retained earnings

  Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  Hydro One shareholders’ equity

  Noncontrolling interest (Note 28)

Total equity

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Timothy Hodgson

Chair

  Russel Robertson

  Chair, Audit Committee

54

540

699

284

303

1,826

23,842

757

722

326

184

1,989

22,631

3,561

4,571

118

570

373

93

4,715

30,383

1,045

603

1,064

266

2,978

124

514

373

92

5,674

30,294

800

806

1,044

329

2,979

13,017

12,726

362

367

2,683

16,429

19,407

231

56

3,674

16,687

19,666

20

22

5,688

38

5,174

(12)

10,888

68

10,956

30,383

5,678

47

4,838

(29)

10,534

72

10,606

30,294

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

Year ended December 31, 2021
(millions of Canadian dollars)

January 1, 2021

Net income 

Other comprehensive income (Note 8)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

Dividends on common shares

Common shares issued

Stock-based compensation (Note 27)

Common 
Shares

5,678

—

—

—

—

10

—

December 31, 2021

5,688

Common 
Shares

5,661

Preferred 
Shares

418

Year ended December 31, 2020
(millions of Canadian dollars)

January 1, 2020

Net income

Other comprehensive loss (Note 8)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

Contributions from sale of noncontrolling 

interest (Note 4) 

Dividends on preferred shares

Dividends on common shares

Common shares issued

Stock-based compensation (Note 27)

Preferred shares redeemed (Note 24)

—

—

—

—

—

—

17

—

—

December 31, 2020 

5,678

 See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Preferred 
Shares

Additional 
Paid-in  
Capital

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(418)

—

47

—

—

—

—

(10)

1

38

Additional 
Paid-in  
Capital

49

—

—

—

—

—

—

(10)

8

—

47

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive  
Loss

Hydro One 
Shareholders’ 
Equity

Non-
controlling 
Interest  
(Note 28)

Total 
Equity

(29)

10,534

72

10,606

—

17

—

—

—

—

965

17

—

(629)

—

1

6

—

(10)

—

—

—

971

17

(10)

(629)

—

1

Retained 
Earnings

4,838

965

—

—

(629)

—

—

5,174

(12)

10,888

68

10,956

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive  
Loss

Hydro One 
Shareholders’ 
Equity

Non-
controlling 
Interest  
(Note 28)

(5)

—

(24)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

9,790

1,788

(24)

—

—

(18)

(599)

7

8

(418)

59

6

—

(2)

9

—

—

—

—

—

Retained 
Earnings

3,667

1,788

—

—

—

(18)

(599)

—

—

—

Total 
Equity

9,849

1,794

(24)

(2)

9

(18)

(599)

7

8

(418)

4,838

(29)

10,534

72

10,606

55

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

Year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars)

2021

2020

973

(30)

815

70

154

67

100

2,149

900

(804)

4,150

(3,905)

—

(629)

(8)

—

—

(7)

—

(303)

(1,928)

(143)

14

—

(6)

(2,063)

(217)

757

540

1,796

(23)

783

68

(823)

49

180

2,030

2,725

(653)

4,070

(4,413)

(20)

(617)

(2)

9

7

(14)

(418)

674

(1,718)

(126)

—

(126)

(7)

(1,977)

727

30

757

Operating activities

Net income 

Environmental expenditures

Adjustments for non-cash items:

  Depreciation and amortization (Note 5)

  Regulatory assets and liabilities

  Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

  Other

Changes in non-cash balances related to operations (Note 30)

Net cash from operating activities

Financing activities

Long-term debt issued

Long-term debt repaid

Short-term notes issued

Short-term notes repaid

Short-term debt repaid (Note 4)

Dividends paid

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest

Contributions received from sale of noncontrolling interest (Note 4)

Common shares issued (Note 24)

Costs to obtain financing

Preferred shares redeemed (Note 24)

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

Investing activities

Capital expenditures (Note 30)

  Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Capital contributions received (Note 30)

Acquisitions (Note 4)

Other

Net cash used in investing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

56

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 

1.  DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS 
Hydro One Limited (Hydro One or the Company) was incorporated on 
August 31, 2015, under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). On 
October 31, 2015, the Company acquired Hydro One Inc., a company 
previously wholly-owned by the Province of Ontario (Province). 
At December 31, 2021, the Province held approximately 47.2% 
(2020 - 47.3%) of the common shares of Hydro One. The principal 
businesses of Hydro One are the transmission and distribution of 
electricity to customers within Ontario. 

Rate Setting
The Company's transmission business consists of the transmission 
system operated by Hydro One Inc.’s subsidiaries, Hydro One Networks 
Inc. (Hydro One Networks) and Hydro One Sault Ste. Marie LP (HOSSM), 
as well as an approximately 66% interest in B2M Limited Partnership 
(B2M LP), a limited partnership between Hydro One and the Saugeen 
Ojibway Nation (SON), and an approximately 55% interest in Niagara 
Reinforcement Limited Partnership (NRLP), a limited partnership 
between Hydro One and Six Nations of the Grand River Development 
Corporation and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (collectively, 
the First Nations Partners). 

Hydro One’s distribution business consists of the distribution system 
operated by Hydro One Inc.'s subsidiaries, Hydro One Networks, inclusive 
of the distribution system of Orillia Power Distribution Corporation 
(Orillia Power) and the business and distribution assets of Peterborough 
Distribution Inc., (Peterborough Distribution) and Hydro One Remote 
Communities Inc. (Hydro One Remote Communities). 

Transmission
On March 7, 2019, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued its 
reconsideration decision (DTA Decision) with respect to Hydro One's 
rate-setting treatment of the benefits of the deferred tax asset (DTA) 
resulting from the transition from the payments in lieu of tax regime 
to tax payments under the federal and provincial tax regimes. On 
July 16, 2020, the Ontario Divisional Court rendered its decision (ODC 
Decision) on the Company's appeal of the OEB's DTA Decision. On 
April 8, 2021, the OEB rendered its decision and order regarding the 
recovery of the DTA amounts allocated to ratepayers for the 2017 to 
2022 period (DTA Implementation Decision). See Note 13 - Regulatory 
Assets and Liabilities for additional details.

On April 23, 2020, the OEB rendered its decision on Hydro One 
Networks’ 2020-2022 transmission rate application (2020-2022 
Transmission Decision). On July 16, 2020, the OEB issued its final rate 
order for the 2020-2022 transmission rates approving a revenue 
requirement of $1,630 million, $1,701 million and $1,772 million for 
2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. On July 30, 2020, the OEB issued 
its decision for Uniform Transmission Rates (UTRs). The 2020 UTRs 
that were put in place on an interim basis on January 1, 2020 continued 
for the remainder of 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. On 
December 17, 2020, the OEB issued its decision and order setting the 
final 2021 UTRs effective January 1, 2021, which included the approval of 
a two-year disposition period for Hydro One Network's 2020 foregone 
revenue including interest, beginning on January 1, 2021. 

On July 31, 2019, B2M LP filed a transmission rate application for 
2020-2024. On January 16, 2020, the OEB approved the 2020 base 
revenue requirement of $33 million, and a revenue cap escalator index 
for 2021 to 2024. 

On October 25, 2019, NRLP filed its revenue cap incentive rate 
application for 2020-2024. On December 19, 2019, the OEB approved 
NRLP’s proposed 2020 revenue requirement of $9 million on an interim 
basis effective January 1, 2020. On April 9, 2020, final OEB approval 
was received. 

HOSSM is under a 10-year deferred rebasing period for years 2017-
2026, as approved in the OEB Mergers Acquisitions Amalgamations and 
Divestitures (MAAD) decision dated October 13, 2016. 

Distribution
In March 2017, Hydro One Networks filed an application with the OEB 
for 2018-2022 distribution rates. On March 7, 2019, the OEB rendered 
its decision on the distribution rates application. In accordance with the 
OEB decision, the Company filed its draft rate order reflecting updated 
revenue requirements of $1,459 million for 2018, $1,498 million for 2019, 
$1,532 million for 2020, $1,578 million for 2021, and $1,624 million for 
2022. On June 11, 2019, the OEB approved the rate order confirming these 
updated revenue requirements. 

On April 16, 2020, the OEB approved a 2% increase to Hydro One Remote 
Communities' 2019 base rates for new rates effective May 1, 2020, with a 
deferred implementation date of November 1, 2020 due to COVID-19.  
On October 8, 2020, the OEB authorized Hydro One Remote 
Communities to implement a rate rider for the recovery of foregone 
revenues resulting from postponing rate implementation, effective until 
April 30, 2021. On November 3, 2020, Hydro One Remote Communities 
filed an application with the OEB seeking approval for a 2% increase to 
2020 base rates, effective May 1, 2021, which was subsequently updated 
to 2.2% in accordance with the OEB’s 2021 inflation parameters for 
electricity distributors issued on November 9, 2020. On March 25, 2021, 
the OEB approved Hydro One Remote Communities’ application for rates 
and other charges to be effective May 1, 2021. 

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
These Consolidated Financial Statements (Consolidated Financial 
Statements) include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. 
Inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. 

Basis of Accounting 
These Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared and presented 
in accordance with United States (US) Generally Accepted Accounting 
Principles (GAAP) and in Canadian dollars. 

Use of Management Estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make 
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets 
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported 
amounts of revenues, expenses, gains and losses during the reporting 
periods. Management evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis 
based upon historical experience, current conditions, and assumptions 
believed to be reasonable at the time the assumptions are made, 
with any adjustments being recognized in results of operations in the 
period they arise. Significant estimates relate to regulatory assets 
and regulatory liabilities, environmental liabilities, pension benefits, 
post-retirement and post-employment benefits, and unbilled revenues. 
Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates. 

57

Hydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Since late March 2020, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 
(COVID-19 or the pandemic) has been reflected in the Consolidated 
Financial Statements. The Company has analyzed the impact of the 
pandemic on its estimates and assumptions that affect its financial 
results as at and for the year ended December 31, 2021 and has 
determined that there was no material impact. Additional details 
regarding the impact of the pandemic on the Consolidated Financial 
Statements are available in Note 9 – Accounts Receivable and Note 13 – 
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities. 

As the duration of the pandemic remains uncertain, the Company 
continues to assess its impact to the Company’s financial results 
and operations. 

Regulatory Accounting
The OEB has the general power to include or exclude revenues, costs, 
gains or losses in the rates of a specific period, resulting in a change in 
the timing of accounting recognition from that which would have been 
applied in an unregulated company. Such change in timing involves the 
application of rate-regulated accounting, giving rise to the recognition 
of regulatory assets and liabilities. The Company’s regulatory assets 
represent certain amounts receivable from future electricity customers 
and costs that have been deferred for accounting purposes because 
it is probable that they will be recovered in future rates. In addition, the 
Company has recorded regulatory liabilities that generally represent 
amounts that are refundable to electricity customers in future rates. 
The Company continually assesses the likelihood of recovery of each 
of its regulatory assets and continues to believe that it is probable that 
the OEB will include its regulatory assets and liabilities in setting future 
rates. If, at some future date, the Company judges that it is no longer 
probable that the OEB will include a regulatory asset or liability in setting 
future rates, the appropriate carrying amount would be reflected 
in results of operations prospectively from the date the Company’s 
assessment is made, unless the change meets the requirements for a 
subsequent event adjustment. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term investments 
with an original maturity of three months or less. 

Revenue Recognition
Transmission revenues predominantly consist of transmission tariffs, 
which are collected through OEB-approved UTRs which are applied 
against the monthly peak demand for electricity across Hydro 
One's high-voltage network. OEB-approved UTRs are based on an 
approved revenue requirement that includes a rate of return. The 
transmission tariffs are designed to recover revenues necessary to 
support the Company's transmission system with sufficient capacity 
to accommodate the maximum expected demand which is influenced 
by weather and economic conditions. Transmission revenues are 
recognized as electricity is transmitted and delivered to customers. 

Distribution revenues attributable to the delivery of electricity are based 
on OEB-approved distribution rates and are recognized on an accrual 
basis and include billed and unbilled revenues. Billed revenues are based 
on electricity delivered as measured from customer meters. At the 
end of each month, electricity delivered to customers since the date 
of the last billed meter reading is estimated, and the corresponding 
unbilled revenue is recorded. The unbilled revenue estimate is affected 

58

by energy consumption, weather, and changes in the composition of 
customer classes. 

Revenues also include amounts related to sales of other services and 
equipment. Such revenue is recognized as services are rendered or as 
equipment is delivered. Revenues are recorded net of indirect taxes. 

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Billed accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount, net 
of allowance for doubtful accounts. Unbilled accounts receivable 
are recorded at their estimated value, net of allowance for doubtful 
accounts. Overdue amounts related to regulated billings bear interest 
at OEB-approved rates. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects 
the Company’s current lifetime expected credit losses (CECL) for all 
accounts receivable balances. The Company estimates the CECL by 
applying internally developed loss rates to all outstanding receivable 
balances by aging category. Loss rates applied to the accounts 
receivable balances are based on historical overdue balances, customer 
payments and write-offs, which may be further supplemented from time 
to time to reflect management's best estimate of the loss. Accounts 
receivable are written-off against the allowance when they are deemed 
uncollectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts is affected by 
changes in volume, prices and economic conditions. 

Noncontrolling interest
Noncontrolling interest represents the portion of equity ownership 
in subsidiaries that is not attributable to shareholders of Hydro 
One. Noncontrolling interest is initially recorded at fair value and 
subsequently the amount is adjusted for the proportionate share of net 
income and other comprehensive income (OCI) or other comprehensive 
loss (OCL) attributable to the noncontrolling interest and any dividends 
or distributions paid to the noncontrolling interest. 

If a transaction results in the acquisition of all, or part, of a 
noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, the acquisition of the 
noncontrolling interest is accounted for as an equity transaction. 
No gain or loss is recognized in consolidated net income or 
comprehensive income as a result of changes in the noncontrolling 
interest, unless a change results in the loss of control by the Company. 

Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. 
Current tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the taxes 
payable or refundable on the current and prior year’s taxable income. 
Current and deferred income taxes are computed based on the tax 
rates and tax laws enacted as at the balance sheet date. Tax benefits 
associated with income tax positions are recorded only when the 
more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is satisfied and are 
measured at the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% 
likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Management evaluates 
each position based solely on the technical merits and facts and 
circumstances of the position, assuming the position will be examined 
by a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. 
Significant management judgment is required to determine recognition 
thresholds and the related amount of tax benefits to be recognized 
in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management re-evaluates 
tax positions each period using new information about recognition or 
measurement as it becomes available. 

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized on all temporary 
differences between the tax bases and carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities, including the carry forward unused tax credits and tax losses to 
the extent that it is more-likely-than-not that these deductions, credits, 
and losses can be utilized. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are 
measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when 
the liability is settled or the asset is realized, based on the tax rates and 
tax laws that have been enacted as at the balance sheet date. 

Deferred income taxes associated with its regulated operations which 
are considered to be more-likely-than-not to be recoverable or refunded 
in the future regulated rates charged to customers are recognized as 
deferred income tax regulatory assets and liabilities with an offset to 
deferred income tax expense. 

Investment tax credits are recorded as a reduction of the related 
expenses or income tax expense in the current or future period to the 
extent it is more likely than not that the credits can be utilized. 

Management reassesses the deferred income tax assets at each balance 
sheet date and reduces the amount to the extent that it is more likely 
than not that the deferred income tax asset will not be realized. Previously 
unrecognized deferred income tax assets are reassessed at each balance 
sheet date and are recognized to the extent that it has become more 
likely than not that the tax benefit will be realized.

Materials and Supplies
Materials and supplies represent consumables, small spare parts and 
construction materials held for internal construction and maintenance 
of property, plant and equipment. These assets are carried at average 
cost less any impairments recorded. 

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at original cost, net of 
customer contributions, and any accumulated impairment losses. 
The cost of additions, including betterments and replacement asset 
components, is included on the consolidated balance sheets as 
property, plant and equipment. 

The original cost of property, plant and equipment includes direct 
materials, direct labour (including employee benefits), contracted 
services, attributable capitalized financing costs, asset retirement 
costs, and direct and indirect overheads that are related to the capital 
project or program. Indirect overheads include a portion of corporate 
costs such as finance, treasury, human resources, and information 
technology (IT). Overhead costs, including corporate functions and field 
services costs, are capitalized on a fully allocated basis, consistent with 
an OEB-approved methodology. 

Property, plant and equipment in service consists of transmission, 
distribution, communication, administration and service assets and 
land easements. Property, plant and equipment also includes future use 
assets, such as land, major components and spare parts, and capitalized 
project development costs associated with deferred capital projects. 

stations for transmission and to step down voltages for distribution, 
including transformers, circuit breakers and switches. 

Distribution
Distribution assets include assets related to the distribution of 
low-voltage electricity, including lines, poles, switches, transformers, 
protective devices and metering systems. 

Communication
Communication assets include fibre optic and microwave radio 
systems, optical ground wire, towers, telephone equipment and 
associated buildings.

Administration and Service
Administration and service assets include administrative buildings, 
personal computers, transport and work equipment, tools and other 
minor assets. 

Easements
Easements include statutory rights of use for transmission corridors 
and abutting lands granted under the Reliable Energy and Consumer 
Protection Act, 2002, as well as other land access rights. 

Intangible Assets
Intangible assets separately acquired or internally developed are 
measured on initial recognition at cost, which comprises purchased 
software, direct labour (including employee benefits), consulting, 
engineering, overheads and attributable capitalized financing charges. 
Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost, 
net of any accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment 
losses. The Company’s intangible assets primarily represent major 
computer applications. 

Capitalized Financing Costs
Capitalized financing costs represent interest costs attributable to 
the construction of property, plant and equipment or development of 
intangible assets. The financing cost of attributable borrowed funds is 
capitalized as part of the acquisition cost of such assets. The capitalized 
financing costs are a reduction of financing charges recognized in the 
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. 
Capitalized financing costs are calculated using the Company’s 
weighted average effective cost of debt. 

Construction and Development in Progress
Construction and development in progress consists of the capitalized 
cost of constructed assets that are not yet complete and which have 
not yet been placed in service. 

Depreciation and Amortization
The cost of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 
is depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis based on the 
estimated remaining service life of each asset category, except for 
transport and work equipment, which is depreciated on a declining 
balance basis. 

Transmission
Transmission assets include assets used for the transmission of 
high-voltage electricity, such as transmission lines, support structures, 
foundations, insulators, connecting hardware and grounding systems, 
and assets used to step up the voltage of electricity from generating 

The Company periodically initiates an external independent review of 
its property, plant and equipment and intangible asset depreciation and 
amortization rates, as required by the OEB. Any changes arising from 
OEB approval of such a review are implemented on a remaining service 
life basis, consistent with their inclusion in electricity rates. The most 

59

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021recent reviews resulted in changes to rates effective January 1, 2015 and 
January 1, 2020 for Hydro One Networks’ distribution and transmission 
businesses, respectively. A summary of average service lives and 

depreciation and amortization rates for the various classes of assets is 
included below: 

Property, plant and equipment:

  Transmission

  Distribution 

  Communication

  Administration and service

Intangible assets

Average Service Life

Range

Average

Rate

55 years

47 years

16 years

24 years

10 years

1% – 3%

1% – 7%

1% – 15%

1% – 20%

10%

2%

2%

4%

4%

7%

In accordance with group depreciation practices, the original cost 
of property, plant and equipment, or major components thereof, and 
intangible assets that are normally retired, is charged to accumulated 
depreciation, with no gain or loss being reflected in results of 
operations. Where a disposition of property, plant and equipment 
occurs through sale, a gain or loss is calculated based on proceeds and 
such gain or loss is included in depreciation expense. 

of a long-lived asset are under consideration, a probability-weighted 
approach is used to develop estimates of future undiscounted cash 
flows. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable 
based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment 
loss is recorded, measured as the excess of the carrying value of the 
asset over its fair value. As a result, the asset’s carrying value is adjusted 
to its estimated fair value. 

Acquisitions and Goodwill
The Company accounts for business acquisitions using the acquisition 
method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the 
acquired entities are primarily measured at their estimated fair value 
at the date of acquisition. Costs associated with pending acquisitions 
are expensed as incurred. Goodwill represents the cost of acquired 
companies that is in excess of the fair value of the net identifiable 
assets acquired at the acquisition date. Goodwill is not included in 
rate base. 

Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, or more 
frequently if circumstances require. The Company performs a qualitative 
assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair 
value of the applicable reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. 
If the Company determines, as a result of its qualitative assessment, 
that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the applicable 
reporting unit is less than its carrying value, no further testing is 
required. If the Company determines, as a result of its qualitative 
assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the 
applicable reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative 
goodwill impairment assessment is performed. The quantitative 
assessment compares the fair value of the applicable reporting unit 
to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of goodwill 
is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recorded as a 
reduction to goodwill and as a charge to results of operations. 

Based on the assessment performed as at September 30, 2021 and with 
no significant events since, the Company has concluded that goodwill 
was not impaired at December 31, 2021. 

Long-Lived Asset Impairment
When circumstances indicate the carrying value of long-lived assets 
may not be recoverable, the Company evaluates whether the carrying 
value of such assets, excluding goodwill, has been impaired. For 
such long-lived assets, the Company evaluates whether impairment 
may exist by estimating future estimated undiscounted cash flows 
expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. 
When alternative courses of action to recover the carrying amount 

Within its regulated business, the carrying costs of most of Hydro One’s 
long-lived assets are included in rate base where they earn an OEB-
approved rate of return. Asset carrying values and the related return 
are recovered through approved rates. As a result, such assets are only 
tested for impairment in the event that the OEB disallows recovery, in 
whole or in part, or if such a disallowance is judged to be probable. 

Hydro One regularly monitors the assets of its unregulated subsidiary 
Acronym Solutions Inc., formerly Hydro One Telecom Inc. (Acronym 
Solutions) for indications of impairment. Management assesses the fair 
value of such long-lived assets using commonly accepted techniques. 
Techniques used to determine fair value include, but are not limited 
to, the use of recent third-party comparable sales for reference and 
internally developed discounted cash flow analysis. Significant changes 
in market conditions, changes to the condition of an asset, or a change 
in management’s intent to utilize the asset are generally viewed by 
management as triggering events to reassess the cash flows related to 
these long-lived assets. As at December 31, 2021 and 2020, no asset 
impairment had been recorded for assets within either the Company’s 
regulated or unregulated businesses. 

Costs of Arranging Debt Financing
For financial liabilities classified as other than held-for-trading, the 
Company defers the external transaction costs related to obtaining 
financing and presents such amounts net of related debt on the 
consolidated balance sheets. Deferred issuance costs are amortized 
over the contractual life of the related debt on an effective-interest 
basis and the amortization is included within financing charges in 
the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive 
income. Transaction costs for items classified as held-for-trading are 
expensed immediately.

Comprehensive Income/Loss
Comprehensive income/loss is comprised of net income/loss and OCI/
OCL. Hydro One presents net income/loss and OCI/OCL in a single 
continuous consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive 
income/loss. 

60

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Financial Assets and Liabilities
All financial assets and liabilities are classified into one of the following 
five categories: held-to-maturity; loans and receivables; held-for-
trading; other liabilities; or available-for-sale. Financial assets and 
liabilities classified as held-for-trading are measured at fair value. All 
other financial assets and liabilities are measured at amortized cost. 
Accounts receivable and amounts due from related parties are classified 
as loans and receivables. The Company considers the carrying amounts 
of accounts receivable and amounts due from related parties to be 
reasonable estimates of fair value because of the short time to maturity 
of these instruments. The Company estimates the CECL for all accounts 
receivable balances, which are recognized as adjustments to the 
allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable are written-off 
against the allowance when they are deemed uncollectible. All financial 
instrument transactions are recorded at trade date. 

The Company determines the classification of its financial assets and 
liabilities at the date of initial recognition. The Company designates 
certain of its financial assets and liabilities to be held at fair value, when 
it is consistent with the Company’s risk management policy disclosed in 
Note 18 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Risk Management. 

Embedded derivative instruments are separated from their host 
contracts and are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance 
sheets when: (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the 
embedded derivative are not clearly and closely related to the economic 
characteristics and risks of the host contract; (b) the hybrid instrument 
is not measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in 
results of operations each period; and (c) the embedded derivative itself 
meets the definition of a derivative. The Company does not engage 
in derivative trading or speculative activities and had no embedded 
derivatives that required bifurcation at December 31, 2021 or 2020. 

Hydro One periodically develops hedging strategies taking into account 
risk management objectives. At the inception of a hedging relationship 
where the Company has elected to apply hedge accounting, Hydro One 
formally documents the relationship between the hedged item and 
the hedging instrument, the related risk management objective, the 
nature of the specific risk exposure being hedged, and the method for 
assessing the effectiveness of the hedging relationship. The Company 
also assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on a quarterly 
basis, whether the hedging instruments are effective in offsetting 
changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged items. 

Derivative Instruments and Hedge Accounting
The Company closely monitors the risks associated with changes 
in interest rates on its operations and, where appropriate, uses 
various instruments to hedge these risks. Certain of these derivative 
instruments qualify for hedge accounting and are designated as 
accounting hedges, while others either do not qualify as hedges or have 
not been designated as hedges (hereinafter referred to as undesignated 
contracts) as they are part of economic hedging relationships. 

The accounting guidance for derivative instruments requires the 
recognition of all derivative instruments not identified as meeting 
the normal purchase and sale exemption as either assets or liabilities 
recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. For derivative 
instruments that qualify for hedge accounting, the Company may elect 
to designate such derivative instruments as either cash flow hedges or 
fair value hedges. The Company offsets fair value amounts recognized 
on its consolidated balance sheets related to derivative instruments 
executed with the same counterparty under the same master 
netting agreement. 

For derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting and which 
are designated as cash flow hedges, any unrealized gain or loss, net of 
tax, is recorded as a component of accumulated OCI (AOCI). Amounts 
in AOCI are reclassified to results of operations in the same period 
or periods during which the hedged transaction affects results of 
operations and presented in the same line item as the earnings effect 
of the hedged item. Any gains or losses on the derivative instrument 
that represent hedge components excluded from the assessment of 
effectiveness are recognized in the same line item of the consolidated 
statements of operations as the hedged item. For fair value hedges, 
changes in fair value of both the derivative instrument and the 
underlying hedged exposure are recognized in the consolidated 
statements of operations and comprehensive income in the current 
period. The gain or loss on the derivative instrument is included in the 
same line item as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item in the 
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. 
The changes in fair value of the undesignated derivative instruments are 
reflected in results of operations. 

Employee Future Benefits
Employee future benefits provided by Hydro One include pension, post-
retirement and post-employment benefits. The costs of the Company’s 
pension, post-retirement and post-employment benefit plans are 
recorded over the periods during which employees render service. 

The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined 
benefit pension plan (Pension Plan) and its post-retirement and 
post-employment plans on its consolidated balance sheets and 
subsequently recognizes the changes in funded status at the end of 
each reporting year. Defined benefit pension, post-retirement and 
post-employment plans are considered to be underfunded when the 
projected benefit obligation (PBO) exceeds the fair value of the plan 
assets. Liabilities are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets for 
any net underfunded PBO. The net underfunded PBO may be disclosed 
as a current liability, long-term liability, or both. The current portion is 
the amount by which the actuarial present value of benefits included 
in the benefit obligation payable in the next 12 months exceeds the fair 
value of plan assets. If the fair value of plan assets exceeds the PBO of 
the plan, an asset is recognized equal to the net overfunded PBO. The 
post-retirement and post-employment benefit plans are unfunded 
because there are no related plan assets. 

Hydro One recognizes its contributions to the defined contribution 
pension plan (DC Plan) as pension expense, with a portion being 
capitalized as part of labour costs included in capital expenditures. 
The expensed amount is included in operation, maintenance and 
administration (OM&A) costs in the consolidated statements of 
operations and comprehensive income. 

Defined Benefit Pension
Defined benefit pension costs are recorded on an accrual basis for 
financial reporting purposes. Pension costs are actuarially determined 
using the projected benefit method prorated on service and are based 
on assumptions that reflect management’s best estimate of the effect 
of future events, including future compensation increases. Past service 
costs from plan amendments and all actuarial gains and losses are 
amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected average remaining 

61

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021service period of active employees in the plan, or over the estimated 
remaining life expectancy of inactive employees in the plan. Pension 
plan assets, consisting primarily of listed equity securities, marketable 
and private debt, corporate and government debt securities as well 
as unlisted real estate and unlisted infrastructure investments, are 
recorded at fair value at the end of each year. Hydro One records a 
regulatory asset equal to the net underfunded PBO for its pension plan. 
Defined benefit pension costs are attributed to labour costs on a cash 
basis and a portion directly related to acquisition and development of 
capital assets is capitalized as part of the cost of property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets. The remaining defined benefit pension 
costs are charged to results of operations (OM&A costs). 

Post-retirement and Post-employment Benefits
Post-retirement and post-employment benefits are recorded and 
included in rates on an accrual basis. Costs are determined by 
independent actuaries using the projected benefit method prorated 
on service and based on assumptions that reflect management’s best 
estimates. For post-retirement benefits, past service costs from plan 
amendments are amortized to results of operations based on the 
expected average remaining service period. 

For post-retirement benefits, all actuarial gains or losses are deferred 
using the “corridor” approach. The amount calculated above the 
“corridor” is amortized to results of operations on a straight-line basis 
over the expected average remaining service life of active employees 
in the plan or over the remaining life expectancy of inactive employees 
in the plan. The post-retirement benefit obligation is remeasured to 
its fair value at each year end based on an annual actuarial report, with 
an offset to the associated regulatory account, to the extent of the 
remeasurement adjustment. 

For post-employment obligations, the associated regulatory liabilities 
representing actuarial gains on transition to US GAAP are amortized to 
results of operations based on the “corridor” approach. The actuarial 
gains and losses on post-employment obligations that are incurred 
during the year are recognized immediately to results of operations. 
The post-employment benefit obligation is remeasured to its fair 
value at each year end based on an annual actuarial report, with an 
offset to the associated regulatory account, to the extent of the 
remeasurement adjustment. 

All post-retirement and post-employment benefit costs are attributed 
to labour costs and are either charged to results of operations (OM&A 
costs) or capitalized as part of the cost of property, plant and equipment 
and intangible assets (applies to the service cost component of benefit 
cost) and to regulatory assets for all other components of the benefit 
cost, consistent with their inclusion in OEB-approved rates. 

62

Stock-Based Compensation

Share Grant Plans
Hydro One measures share grant plans based on fair value of share 
grants as estimated based on the grant date common share price. 
The costs are recognized in the financial statements using the 
graded-vesting attribution method for share grant plans that have both 
a performance condition and a service condition. The Company records 
a regulatory asset equal to the accrued costs of share grant plans 
recognized in each period. Costs are transferred from the regulatory 
asset to labour costs at the time the share grants vest and are issued, 
and are recovered in rates. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. 

Deferred Share Unit (DSU) Plans
The Company records the liabilities associated with its Directors’ 
and Management DSU Plans at fair value at each reporting date until 
settlement, recognizing compensation expense over the vesting period 
on a straight-line basis. The fair value of the DSU liability is based 
on the Company’s common share closing price at the end of each 
reporting period. 

Society Restricted Share Unit (RSU) Plan
The Company measures its Society RSU plan based on fair value of 
share grants as estimated based on the grant date common share price. 
The costs are recognized over the vesting period using the straight-line 
attribution method. The Company records a regulatory asset equal to 
the accrued costs of the Society RSU plan recognized in each period. 
Costs are transferred from the regulatory asset to labour costs at the 
time the share grants vest and are issued, and are recovered in rates. 
Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Long-term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The Company measures the awards issued under its LTIP, at fair 
value based on the grant date common share price. The related 
compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period on a 
straight-line basis. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. 

Loss Contingencies
Hydro One is involved in certain legal and environmental matters 
that arise in the normal course of business. In the preparation of its 
Consolidated Financial Statements, management makes judgments 
regarding the future outcome of contingent events and records a loss 
for a contingency based on its best estimate when it is determined that 
such loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably 
estimated. Where the loss amount is recoverable in future rates, a 
regulatory asset is also recorded. When a range estimate for the 
probable loss exists and no amount within the range is a better estimate 
than any other amount, the Company records a loss at the minimum 
amount within the range. 

Management regularly reviews current information available to 
determine whether recorded provisions should be adjusted and 
whether new provisions are required. Estimating probable losses may 
require analysis of multiple forecasts and scenarios that often depend 
on judgments about potential actions by third parties, such as federal, 
provincial and local courts or regulators. Contingent liabilities are 
often resolved over long periods of time. Amounts recorded in the 
Consolidated Financial Statements may differ from the actual outcome 
once the contingency is resolved. Such differences could have a 
material impact on future results of operations, financial position and 
cash flows of the Company. 

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Provisions are based upon current estimates and are subject to greater 
uncertainty where the projection period is lengthy. A significant upward 
or downward trend in the number of claims filed, the nature of the 
alleged injuries, and the average cost of resolving each claim could 
change the estimated provision, as could any substantial adverse or 
favourable verdict at trial. A federal or provincial legislative outcome or 
structured settlement could also change the estimated liability. Legal 
fees are expensed as incurred. 

Environmental Liabilities
Environmental liabilities are recorded in respect of past contamination 
when it is determined that future environmental remediation 
expenditures are probable under existing statute or regulation and 
the amount of the future expenditures can be reasonably estimated. 
Hydro One records a liability for the estimated future expenditures 
associated with contaminated land assessment and remediation (LAR) 
and for the phase-out and destruction of polychlorinated biphenyl 
(PCB)-contaminated mineral oil removed from electrical equipment, 
based on the present value of these estimated future expenditures. 
The Company determines the present value with a discount rate that 
produces an amount at which the environmental liabilities could be 
settled in an arm’s length transaction with a third party. As the Company 
anticipates that the future expenditures will continue to be recoverable 
in future rates, an offsetting regulatory asset has been recorded to 
reflect the future recovery of these environmental expenditures from 
customers. Hydro One reviews its estimates of future environmental 
expenditures annually, or more frequently if there are indications 
that circumstances have changed. Estimate changes are accounted 
for prospectively. 

Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset retirement obligations are recorded for legal obligations 
associated with the future removal and disposal of long-lived assets. 
Such obligations may result from the acquisition, construction, 
development and/or normal use of the asset. Conditional asset 
retirement obligations are recorded when there is a legal obligation to 
perform a future asset retirement activity but where the timing and/or 
method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may 
not be within the control of the Company. In such a case, the obligation 
to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though 
uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. 
This uncertainty is incorporated in the fair value measurement of 
the obligation. 

When recording an asset retirement obligation, the present value of 
the estimated future expenditures required to complete the asset 
retirement activity is recorded in the period in which the obligation is 
incurred, if a reasonable estimate can be made. In general, the present 
value of the estimated future expenditures is added to the carrying 

amount of the associated asset and the resulting asset retirement cost 
is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. The present 
value is determined with a discount rate that equates to the Company’s 
credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Where an asset is no longer in service 
when an asset retirement obligation is recorded, the asset retirement 
cost is recorded in results of operations. 

Some of the Company’s transmission and distribution assets, 
particularly those located on unowned easements and rights-of-way, 
may have asset retirement obligations, conditional or otherwise. The 
majority of the Company’s easements and rights-of-way are either of 
perpetual duration or are automatically renewed annually. Land rights 
with finite terms are generally subject to extension or renewal. As the 
Company expects to use the majority of its facilities in perpetuity, no 
asset retirement obligations have been recorded for these assets. 
If, at some future date, a particular facility is shown not to meet the 
perpetuity assumption, it will be reviewed to determine whether an 
estimable asset retirement obligation exists. In such a case, an asset 
retirement obligation would be recorded at that time. 

The Company’s asset retirement obligations recorded to date relate to 
estimated future expenditures associated with the removal and disposal 
of asbestos-containing materials installed in some of its facilities. 

Leases
At the commencement date of a lease, the minimum lease payments 
are discounted and recognized as a lease obligation. Discount rates 
used correspond to the Company's incremental borrowing rates. 
Renewal options are assessed for their likelihood of being exercised 
and are included in the measurement of the lease obligation when it 
is reasonably certain they will be exercised. The Company does not 
recognize leases with a term of less than 12 months. A corresponding 
Right-of-Use (ROU) asset is recognized at the commencement date of 
a lease. The ROU asset is measured as the lease obligation adjusted for 
any lease payments made and/or any lease incentives and initial direct 
costs incurred. ROU assets are included in other long-term assets, and 
corresponding lease obligations are included in other current liabilities 
and other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. 

Subsequent to the commencement date, the lease expense recognized 
at each reporting period is the total remaining lease payments over the 
remaining lease term. Lease obligations are measured as the present 
value of the remaining unpaid lease payments using the discount rate 
established at commencement date. The amortization of the ROU 
assets is calculated as the difference between the lease expense and 
the accretion of interest, which is calculated using the effective interest 
method. Lease modifications and impairments are assessed at each 
reporting period to assess the need for a remeasurement of the lease 
obligations or ROU assets. 

63

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 20213.  NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The following tables present Accounting Standard Updates (ASUs) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board that are applicable to 
Hydro One: 

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

Guidance

Date issued Description

Effective date

Impact on Hydro One

ASU 
2018-14

August 
2018

Disclosure requirements related to single-employer defined benefit 
pension or other post-retirement benefit plans are added, removed 
or clarified to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in financial 
statement notes.

January 1, 2021

Resulted in the 
modification of certain 
disclosures associated 
with post-retirement and 
post-employment benefits 
that were previously included 
in the annual financial 
statements.

ASU 
2019-12

December 
2019

The amendments simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing 
certain exceptions to the general principles and improving consistent 
application of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance.

ASU 
2020-01

January 
2020

ASU 
2020-10

October 
2020

The amendments clarify the interaction of the accounting for equity 
securities under Topic 321, investments under the equity method of 
accounting in Topic 323 and the accounting for certain forward contracts 
and purchased options accounted for under Topic 815.

The amendments are intended to improve the Codification by ensuring 
the guidance required for an entity to disclose information in the notes of 
financial statements are codified in the disclosure sections to reduce the 
likelihood of disclosure requirements being missed. 

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

Guidance

Date issued Description

ASU 
2020-06

August 
2020

The update addresses the complexity associated with applying GAAP for 
certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. 
The amendments reduce the number of accounting models for convertible 
debt instruments and convertible preferred stock.

ASU 
2021-05

ASU 
2021-08

ASU 
2021-10

July  
2021

The amendments are intended to align lease classification requirements 
for lessors under Topic 842 with Topic 840's practice. 

October 
2021

The amendments address how to determine whether a contract liability is 
recognized by the acquirer in a business combination. 

November 
2021

The update addresses the diversity on the recognition, measurement, 
presentation and disclosure of government assistance received by 
business entities. 

January 1, 2021

No impact upon adoption

January 1, 2021 No impact upon adoption

January 1, 2021 No impact upon adoption

Effective date

Anticipated Impact on Hydro One

January 1, 2022

No impact upon adoption

January 1, 2022

No impact upon adoption

January 1, 2023

Under assessment

January 1, 2022

Under assessment

64

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 20214.  BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Acquisition of Peterborough Distribution Assets
On August 1, 2020, Hydro One completed the acquisition of the 
business and distribution assets of Peterborough Distribution, an 
electricity distribution company located in east central Ontario, from 
the City of Peterborough, for a purchase price of $104 million, including 
the assumption of agreed upon liabilities and closing adjustments. 
The purchase price is comprised of a cash payment of $105 million, 
including a deposit of $4 million paid in 2018 and $101 million paid 
on closing of the transaction, partially offset by a purchase price 
adjustment of $1 million. As the acquired business and distribution 
assets of Peterborough Distribution meet the definition of a business, 
the acquisition has been accounted for as a business acquisition. 

The following table summarizes the determination of the fair value of 
the assets acquired and liabilities assumed: 

(millions of dollars)

Working capital

Property, plant and equipment

Regulatory assets

Goodwill

Other long-term liabilities

7 

64 

1 

33 

(1)

104 

The determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities 
assumed is based upon management’s estimates and assumptions and 
reflects the fair value of consideration paid. 

The goodwill of $33 million arising from the Peterborough Distribution 
acquisition consists largely of the synergies and economies of 
scale expected from combining the operations of Hydro One 
and Peterborough Distribution. All of the goodwill was assigned 
to Hydro One’s Distribution Business segment. Peterborough 
Distribution contributed revenues of $51 million and net income of 
$nil to the Company’s consolidated financial results for the year 
ended December 31, 2020. All costs related to the acquisition 
have been expensed through the statement of operations and 
comprehensive income. 

Acquisition of Orillia Power 
On September 1, 2020, Hydro One completed the acquisition of 
Orillia Power, an electricity distribution company located in Simcoe 
County, Ontario, from the City of Orillia for a purchase price of 
$28 million, including closing adjustments. The purchase price is 
comprised of a cash payment of $26 million, including a deposit of 
$1 million paid in 2016, $25 million paid on closing of the transaction, 
as well as a purchase price adjustment of $2 million. 

The following table summarizes the determination of the fair value of 
the assets acquired and liabilities assumed: 

(millions of dollars)

Working capital

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred income tax assets

Goodwill

Short-term debt

Regulatory liabilities

Other long-term liabilities

2 

32 

1 

15 

(20)

(1)

(1)

28 

The determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities 
assumed is based upon management’s estimates and assumptions 
and reflects the fair value of consideration paid. In September 2020, 
Hydro One repaid the $20 million of short-term debt assumed as part of 
the Orillia Power acquisition.

The goodwill of $15 million arising from the Orillia Power acquisition 
consists largely of the synergies and economies of scale expected 
from combining the operations of Hydro One and Orillia Power. All 
of the goodwill was assigned to Hydro One’s Distribution Business 
segment. Orillia Power contributed revenues of $15 million and net 
income of $nil to the Company’s consolidated financial results for the 
year ended December 31, 2020. All costs related to the acquisition 
have been expensed through the statement of operations and 
comprehensive income. 

NRLP
On January 31, 2020, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation 
purchased an additional 19.9% equity interest in NRLP partnership units 
from Hydro One Networks for total cash consideration of $9 million. 
Following this transaction, Hydro One's interest in the equity portion 
of NRLP partnership units was reduced to 55%, with the Six Nations 
of the Grand River Development Corporation and the Mississaugas of 
the Credit First Nation owning 25% and 20%, respectively, of the equity 
interest in NRLP partnership units. 

NRLP is fully consolidated in these Consolidated Financial Statements 
as it is controlled by Hydro One. The First Nations Partners' 
noncontrolling interest in NRLP is classified within equity. See Note 28 – 
Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

65

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 20215.  DEPRECIATION, AMORTIZATION AND ASSET REMOVAL COSTS

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortization of intangible assets

Amortization of regulatory assets

Depreciation and amortization

Asset removal costs

6.  FINANCING CHARGES

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Interest on long-term debt

Realized loss on cash flow hedges (interest-rate swap agreements) (Notes 8, 18)

Interest on short-term notes

Interest on regulatory accounts

Other

Less: 

Interest capitalized on construction and development in progress

  DTA carrying charges (Note 13)

Interest earned on cash and cash equivalents

2021

709

76

30

815

107

922

2021

505

12

1

5

13

(60)

(12)

(3)

461

2020

691

69

23

783

101

884

2020

497

7

8

3

10

(49)

—

(5)

471

66

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
 
 
 
 
7.  INCOME TAXES
As a rate regulated utility company, the Company recovers income taxes from its ratepayers based on estimated current income tax expense in 
respect of its regulated business. The amounts of deferred income taxes related to regulated operations which are considered to be more likely-
than-not to be recoverable from, or refundable to, ratepayers in future periods are recognized as deferred income tax regulatory assets or liabilities, 
with an offset to deferred income tax recovery or expense, respectively. The Company’s consolidated tax expense or recovery for the period 
includes all current and deferred income tax expenses for the period net of the regulated accounting offset to deferred income tax expense arising 
from temporary differences to be recovered from, or refunded to, customers in future rates. Thus, the Company’s income tax expense or recovery 
differs from the amount that would have been recorded using the combined Canadian federal and Ontario statutory income tax rate. 

The reconciliation between the statutory and the effective tax rates is provided as follows: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Income before income tax expense

Income tax expense at statutory rate of 26.5% (2020 – 26.5%)

Increase (decrease) resulting from:

Net temporary differences recoverable in future rates charged to customers:

  Capital cost allowance in excess of depreciation and amortization

Impact of tax deductions from deferred tax asset sharing1
Impact of tax recovery from deferred tax asset sharing2

  Overheads capitalized for accounting but deducted for tax purposes

Interest capitalized for accounting but deducted for tax purposes

  Environmental expenditures

  Pension and post-retirement benefit contributions in excess of pension expense

Net temporary differences attributable to regulated business

Net permanent differences

Recognition of deferred income tax regulatory asset (Note 13)

Total income tax expense (recovery)

Effective income tax rate

2021

1,151

305

(81)

(38)

47

(22)

(16)

(8)

(9)

(127)

—

—

178

15.5%

2020

1,011

268

(102)

(41)

—

(21)

(13)

(6)

(4)

(187)

1

(867)

(785)

(77.6%)

1  Prior to the ODC Decision, the impact represents tax deductions from deferred asset tax sharing given to ratepayers as previously mandated by the OEB. Subsequent to the ODC 

Decision, and pursuant to the DTA Implementation Decision, the impact represents the additional amounts shared in respect of the fiscal period that is recoverable from ratepayers. 
See Note 13 - Regulatory Assets and Liabilities. 

2  Pursuant to the DTA Implementation Decision, the impact represents the amounts recovered from ratepayers in respect of tax deductions previously shared with ratepayers. 

See Note 13 – Regulatory Assets and Liabilities. 

The major components of income tax expense are as follows:

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Current income tax expense

Deferred income tax expense (recovery)

Total income tax expense (recovery)

2021

30

148

178

2020

29

(814)

(785)

67

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
  
 
Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the tax bases and 
the financial statement carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities including the carry forward amounts of tax losses and tax credits. Deferred 
income tax assets and liabilities attributable to the Company’s regulated business are recognized with a corresponding offset in deferred income 
tax regulatory assets and liabilities to reflect the anticipated recovery or repayment of these balances in the future electricity rates. At December 31, 
2021 and 2020, deferred income tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following: 

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Deferred income tax assets

  Post-retirement and post-employment benefits expense in excess of cash payments

  Pension obligations

  Non-capital losses 

  Non-depreciable capital property

  Tax credit carryforwards

Investment in subsidiaries

  Environmental expenditures

Less: valuation allowance

Total deferred income tax assets

Deferred income tax liabilities

  Capital cost allowance in excess of depreciation and amortization

  Regulatory assets and liabilities

  Other

Total deferred income tax liabilities

Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)

The net deferred income tax assets are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Long-term:

  Deferred income tax assets

  Deferred income tax liabilities

Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) 

2021

2020

659

257

265

273

148

99

44

1,745

(378)

1,367

1,304

308

4

1,616

(249)

2021

118

(367)

(249)

685

607

323

271

119

100

48

2,153

(380)

1,773

976

728

1

1,705

68

2020

124

(56)

68

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as at December 31, 2021 was $378 million (2020 - $380 million). The valuation allowance primarily 
relates to temporary differences for non-depreciable assets and investments in subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had 
non-capital losses carried forward available to reduce future years’ taxable income, which expire as follows: 

Year of expiry (millions of dollars)

2035

2036

2037

2038

2039

2040

2041

Total losses

68

2021

1

483

172

95

199

18

29

997

2020

171

552

172

95

200

27

—

1,217

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
8.  OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (interest-rate swap agreements) (Notes 6, 18)1

Gain (loss) on transfer of other post-employment benefits (OPEB) (Note 20)

Other

2021

12

—

5

17

1 

Includes $8 million after-tax realized loss (2020 – $5 million), $12 million before-tax (2020 – $7 million), on cash flow hedges reclassified to financing charges. 

9.  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Accounts receivable – billed

Accounts receivable – unbilled

Accounts receivable, gross

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable, net

2021

346

409

755

(56)

699

The following table shows the movements in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Allowance for doubtful accounts – beginning

Write-offs

Additions to allowance for doubtful accounts1

Allowance for doubtful accounts – ending

2021

(46)

15

(25)

(56)

2020

(20)

(6)

2

(24)

2020

347

421

768

(46)

722

2020

(22)

11

(35)

(46)

1  Additions to allowance for doubtful accounts for the year ended December 31, 2020 included an incremental $14 million related to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no additional 

COVID-19 related amounts included in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the year ended December 31, 2021. 

10.  OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Regulatory assets (Note 13)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

Materials and supplies

Derivative assets (Note 18)

2021

226

55

22

—

303

2020

105

53

23

3

184

69

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 202111.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

As at December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Property, Plant  
and Equipment

Accumulated 
Depreciation

Transmission

Distribution

Communication

Administration and service

Easements

18,970

12,045

1,466

1,963

679

35,123

Construction 
in Progress

1,183

95

61

78

—

Total

13,846

7,977

405

1,019

595

6,307

4,163

1,122

1,022

84

12,698

1,417

23,842

5,989

3,949

1,079

959

80

876

101

45

113

—

Total

13,100

7,696

361

883

591

12,056

1,135

22,631

As at December 31, 2020 (millions of dollars)

Property, Plant  
and Equipment

Accumulated 
Depreciation

Construction 
in Progress

Transmission

Distribution

Communication

Administration and service

Easements

18,213

11,544

1,395

1,729

671

33,552

Financing charges capitalized on property, plant and equipment under construction were $57 million in 2021 (2020 - $46 million). 

12.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As at December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Computer applications software

Other

As at December 31, 2020 (millions of dollars)

Computer applications software

Other

Intangible 
Assets

1,097

5

1,102

Intangible 
Assets

1,034

7

1,041

Accumulated 
Amortization

Development 
in Progress

657

5

662

130

—

130

Accumulated 
Amortization

Development 
in Progress

581

5

586

59

—

59

Total

570

—

570

Total

512

2

514

Financing charges capitalized to intangible assets under development were $3 million in 2021 (2020 – $3 million). The estimated annual amortization 
expense for intangible assets is as follows: 2022 – $76 million; 2023 – $65 million; 2024 – $55 million; 2025 – $54 million; and 2026 – $50 million.

70

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
 
 
 
13.  REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Regulatory assets and liabilities arise as a result of the rate-setting process. Hydro One has recorded the following regulatory assets and liabilities: 

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Regulatory assets:

  Deferred income tax regulatory asset

  Pension benefit regulatory asset

  Deferred tax asset sharing

  Post-retirement and post-employment benefits – non-service cost

  Environmental

  Stock-based compensation

  Foregone revenue deferral

  Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) variance

  Debt premium 

  Post-retirement and post-employment benefits

  Other

Total regulatory assets

Less: current portion

Regulatory liabilities:

  Tax rule changes variance

  Retail settlement variance account 

  External revenue variance

  Earnings sharing mechanism deferral

  Asset removal costs cumulative variance

  Post-retirement and post-employment benefits

  Pension cost differential

  Green energy expenditure variance

  Deferred income tax regulatory liability

  Other

Total regulatory liabilities

Less: current portion

2021

2020

2,509

713

204

125

122

38

25

8

7

—

36

3,787

(226)

3,561

86

58

52

42

36

33

30

13

4

18

372

(10)

362

2,343

1,660

204

113

133

41

63

16

12

59

32

4,676

(105)

4,571

70

92

7

37

19

—

31

22

4

15

297

(66)

231

Deferred Income Tax Regulatory Asset and Liability
Deferred income taxes are recognized on temporary differences 
between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial 
statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation 
of taxable income. The Company has recognized regulatory assets and 
liabilities that correspond to deferred income taxes that flow through 
the rate-setting process. In the absence of rate-regulated accounting, 
the Company’s income tax expense would have been recognized 
using the liability method and there would be no regulatory accounts 
established for taxes to be recovered through future rates. As a result, 
the 2021 income tax expense would have been higher by approximately 
$127 million (2020 – $187 million). The $127 million (2020 – $187 million) 
impact is offset against deferred income tax regulatory asset and 
liability, deferred tax asset sharing, and post-retirement and post-
employment benefits – non-service cost. 

On July 16, 2020, the Ontario Divisional Court rendered its decision on 
the Company's appeal of the OEB's DTA Decision, which was initially 
issued on September 28, 2017. 

In connection with the ODC Decision, the Company recorded a 
reversal of the previously recognized impairment charge of Hydro One 
Networks' distribution and transmission deferred income tax regulatory 
asset in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. 
The reversal of the previously recognized impairment charge included 
the regulatory asset relating to the cumulative deferred tax asset 
amounts shared with ratepayers (deferred tax asset sharing) up to 
and including June 30, 2020 by Hydro One Networks' distribution and 
transmission segments of $58 million and $118 million, respectively. 
Hydro One recognized deferred income tax regulatory assets of 
$504 million and $673 million for Hydro One Networks distribution and 
transmission segments, respectively, and associated deferred income 
tax liability of $310 million. The Company also recorded an increase in 
net income of $867 million as deferred income tax recovery during the 
year ended December 31, 2020.

71

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Pension Benefit Regulatory Asset
IIn accordance with OEB rate orders, pension costs are recovered on 
a cash basis as employer contributions are paid to the pension fund 
in accordance with the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario). The Company 
recognizes the net unfunded status of pension obligations on the 
consolidated balance sheets with an offset to the associated regulatory 
asset. A regulatory asset is recognized because management considers 
it to be probable that pension benefit costs will be recovered in the 
future through the rate-setting process. The pension benefit obligation 
is remeasured to the present value of the actuarially determined 
benefit obligation at each year end based on an annual actuarial 
report, with an offset to the associated regulatory asset, to the extent 
of the remeasurement adjustment. In the absence of rate-regulated 
accounting, OCI would have been higher by $1,017 million (2020 – OCL 
higher by $470 million) and OM&A expenses would have been higher by 
$132 million (2020 – $89 million). 

Deferred Tax Asset Sharing
On October 2, 2020, the OEB issued a procedural order to implement 
the direction of the Ontario Divisional Court which required Hydro One 
to submit its proposal for the recovery of the DTA amounts allocated 
to ratepayers for the 2017 to 2022 period. On April 8, 2021, the OEB 
rendered the DTA Implementation Decision, in which the OEB approved 
recovery of the DTA amounts allocated to ratepayers for the 2017 to 
2021 period, plus carrying charges over a two-year period, commencing 
on July 1, 2021. In addition, Hydro One was approved to adjust the 
transmission revenue requirement and the base distribution rates 
beginning January 1, 2022 to eliminate any further amounts of future tax 
savings flowing to customers. As at December 31, 2021, Hydro One has a 
regulatory asset of $204 million for the cumulative DTA amounts shared 
with ratepayers since 2017 to date, net of the amount recovered from 
ratepayers pursuant to the DTA Implementation Decision. The regulatory 
asset of $204 million (2020 - $204 million) consists of $74 million 
(2020 - $70 million) and $130 million (2020 - $134 million) for Hydro 
One Networks’ distribution and transmission segments, respectively. 
As a result of the OEB’s procedural order, the $204 million regulatory 
asset relating to the cumulative DTA amounts allocated to ratepayers 
since 2017 has been separately presented from the deferred income tax 
regulatory asset. The balance of this regulatory account will continue to 
decrease as amounts are recovered over the next 18 months. 

Post-Retirement and Post-Employment Benefits –  
Non-Service Cost
Hydro One has recorded a regulatory asset relating to the future 
recovery of its post-retirement and post-employment benefits other 
than service costs. The regulatory asset includes the applicable tax 
impact to reflect taxes payable. Prior to adoption of ASU 2017-07 in 
2018, these amounts were capitalized to property, plant and equipment 
and intangible assets. As part of Hydro One Networks’ 2020-2022 
Transmission Decision, the OEB concluded that the non-service cost 
component of Hydro One’s OPEB costs shall be recognized as OM&A 
for both its transmission and distribution businesses. Furthermore, 
Hydro One Networks distribution will continue to record the non-service 
cost component of OPEBs in this account until the end of 2022. The 
OEB approved the disposition of Hydro One Networks transmission's 
account balance as at December 31, 2018, including accrued interest, 
which is being collected from ratepayers over a three-year period 
ending December 31, 2022.

72

Environmental
Hydro One records a liability for the estimated future expenditures 
required to remediate environmental contamination. A regulatory 
asset is recognized because management considers it to be probable 
environmental expenditures will be recovered in the future through the 
rate-setting process. The Company has recorded an equivalent amount 
as a regulatory asset. In 2021, the revaluation adjustment increased 
the environmental regulatory asset by $18 million (2020 – increased by 
$12 million) to reflect related changes in the Company’s PCB and LAR 
environmental liabilities. The environmental regulatory asset is amortized 
to results of operations based on the pattern of actual expenditures 
incurred and charged to environmental liabilities. The OEB has the 
discretion to examine and assess the prudency and the timing of 
recovery of all of Hydro One’s actual environmental expenditures. In the 
absence of rate-regulated accounting, with respect to the revaluation 
adjustment, 2021 OM&A expenses would have been higher by 
$18 million (2020 – higher by $12 million). In addition, 2021 amortization 
expense would have been lower by $30 million (2020 – lower by 
$23 million), and 2021 financing charges would have been higher by 
$1 million (2020 – higher by $3 million). 

Stock-based Compensation
The Company recognizes costs associated with share grant plans and 
Society RSUs in a regulatory asset as management considers it probable 
that share grant plans' and Society RSU costs will be recovered in 
the future through the rate-setting process. In the absence of rate-
regulated accounting, OM&A expenses would be lower by $1 million 
(2020 – $1 million). Share grant and Society RSU costs are transferred to 
labour costs at the time they vest and are issued, and are recovered in 
rates in accordance with recovery of these labour costs. 

Foregone Revenue Deferral
As at December 31, 2020, the foregone revenue deferral account 
was primarily made up of the difference between revenue earned by 
Hydro One Networks transmission, NRLP, B2M LP, and HOSSM under 
the approved UTRs based on OEB-approved 2020 rates revenue 
requirement and load forecast and the revenues earned under interim 
2020 UTRs. Hydro One Networks transmission's foregone revenue, 
including accrued interest, is being collected from ratepayers over 
a two-year period ending December 31, 2022. NRLP, B2M LP, and 
HOSSM's foregone revenue, including accrued interest, was collected 
from ratepayers over a one-year period ended December 31, 2021. 
The December 31, 2021 balance in this account is comprised of the 
remaining Hydro One Networks transmission foregone revenue to be 
collected from ratepayers by December 31, 2022. 

CDM Variance
The CDM variance account tracks the impact of actual CDM and 
demand response programs on the actual load forecast compared 
to the estimated load forecast included in revenue requirement. 
As per the OEB's decision on Hydro One Networks' transmission 
rates for 2017 to 2019, this account was maintained to record any 
variances for 2017, 2018, and 2019. A CDM variance amount for 2017 
was calculated and proposed for disposition in Hydro One Networks’ 
2020-2022 transmission rate application. In April 2020, the amount 
as at December 31, 2018, including accrued interest, was approved 
for disposition by the OEB and was recognized as a regulatory asset. 
The amount was approved to be recovered from ratepayers over a 
three-year period ending December 31, 2022. 

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Debt Premium
The value of debt assumed in the acquisition of HOSSM has been 
recorded at fair value in accordance with US GAAP – Business 
Combinations. The OEB allows for recovery of interest at the coupon 
rate of the Senior Secured Bonds and a regulatory asset has been 
recorded for the difference between the fair value and face value of 
this debt. The debt premium is recovered over the remaining term of 
the debt. 

Tax Rule Changes Variance 
The 2019 federal and Ontario budgets (Budgets) provided certain 
time-limited investment incentives permitting Hydro One to deduct 
accelerated capital cost allowance of up to three times the first-year 
rate for capital investments acquired after November 20, 2018 and 
placed in-service before January 1, 2028 (Accelerated Depreciation). 
Following the enactment of the Budget measures in the second quarter 
of 2019, the OEB directed all Ontario regulated utilities including 
Hydro One to track the full revenue impact of the tax benefits related to 
the Accelerated Depreciation rules to ratepayers. The tax benefit to be 
returned to ratepayers in the future gave rise to a regulatory liability and 
resulted in a decrease in revenues as current rates do not include the 
benefit of the Accelerated Depreciation; therefore, the revenue subject 
to refund cannot be recognized. 

Retail Settlement Variance Account (RSVA)
Hydro One has deferred certain retail settlement variance amounts 
under the provisions of Article 490 of the OEB’s Accounting Procedures 
Handbook. The RSVA account tracks the difference between the cost 
of power purchased from the Independent Electricity System Operator 
(IESO) and the cost of power recovered from ratepayers. The balance 
as at December 31, 2019, including accrued interest, was approved by 
the OEB for disposition over a one-year period ending December 31, 
2021 as part of Hydro One Networks distribution 2021 annual update 
rate application. 

External Revenue Variance
The external revenue variance account balance reflects the difference 
between Hydro One Networks transmission's actual export service 
revenue and external revenues from secondary land use, and the 
OEB-approved amounts. The account also records the difference 
between actual net external station maintenance, engineering and 
construction services revenue, and other external revenue, and 
the OEB-approved amounts. In April 2020, the OEB approved the 
disposition of the external revenue variance account as at December 31, 
2018, including accrued interest, which is being returned to ratepayers 
over a three-year period ending December 31, 2022.

Earnings Sharing Mechanism Deferral
In March 2019, the OEB approved the establishment of an earnings 
sharing mechanism deferral account for Hydro One Networks' 
distribution segment to record over-earnings including tax impacts, 
if any, realized for any year from 2018 to 2022. Under this mechanism, 
Hydro One shares 50% of regulated earnings that exceed the 
OEB-approved regulatory return-on-equity by more than 100 basis 
points with distribution ratepayers. This account is asymmetrical to the 
benefit of ratepayers. The balance as at December 31, 2019, including 
accrued interest, was approved by the OEB for disposition on an interim 
basis over a one-year period ending December 31, 2021 as part of 

Hydro One Networks distribution 2021 annual update rate application. 
A similar account was also approved for B2M LP in January 2020, and 
Hydro One Networks transmission and NRLP in April 2020. The balance 
in the account as at December 31, 2021 primarily relates to Hydro One 
Networks distribution. 

Asset Removal Costs Cumulative Variance
In April 2020, the OEB approved the establishment of an asset 
removal costs cumulative variance account for Hydro One Networks 
transmission to record the difference between the revenue requirement 
associated with forecast asset removal costs included in depreciation 
expense and actual asset removal costs incurred from 2020 to 
2022. This account is asymmetrical to the benefit of ratepayers on a 
cumulative basis over the 2020-2022 rate period.

Post-Retirement and Post-Employment Benefits
In accordance with OEB rate orders, post-retirement and 
post-employment benefits costs are recovered on an accrual basis. 
The Company recognizes the net unfunded status of post-retirement 
and post-employment obligations on the consolidated balance 
sheets with an incremental offset to the associated regulatory asset 
or regulatory liability, as the case may be. A regulatory asset or liability 
is recognized because management considers it to be probable that 
post-retirement and post-employment benefit costs will be recovered 
or returned in the future through the rate-setting process. The 
post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligation is remeasured 
to the present value of the actuarially determined benefit obligation at 
each year end based on an annual actuarial report, with an offset to the 
associated regulatory asset or liability as the case may be, to the extent 
of the remeasurement adjustment. In the absence of rate-regulated 
accounting, 2021 OCI would have been higher by $94 million (2020 – 
OCL lower by $46 million). 

Pension Cost Differential
Variances between the pension cost recognized and the cost 
embedded in rates as part of the rate-setting process for Hydro One 
Networks' transmission and distribution businesses are recognized 
as a regulatory asset or regulatory liability, as the case may be. In 
March 2019, the OEB approved the disposition of the distribution 
business portion of the balance as at December 31, 2016, including 
accrued interest, and the balance was recovered from ratepayers by 
the end of 2020. In April 2020, the OEB approved the disposition of 
the transmission business portion of the balance as at December 31, 
2018, including accrued interest, which is being returned to ratepayers 
over a three-year period ending December 31, 2022. In the absence of 
rate-regulated accounting, 2021 revenue would have been higher by 
$1 million (2020 – higher by $1 million). 

Green Energy Expenditure Variance
In April 2010, the OEB requested the establishment of deferral accounts 
which capture the difference between the revenue recorded on the 
basis of Green Energy Plan expenditures incurred and the actual 
recoveries received. The smart grid variance account balance as at 
December 31, 2016, including accrued interest, was approved for 
disposition by the OEB in March 2019, and the balance was returned to 
ratepayers by the end of 2020. 

73

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021COVID-19 Emergency Deferral
On June 17, 2021, the OEB issued its Report: Regulatory Treatment 
of Impact Arising from the COVID-19 Emergency which outlines the 
OEB’s final guidance on the rules and operation of the deferral account 
established for utilities to track the impacts arising from the COVID-19 
pandemic. The OEB has determined that eligibility for recovery of 

most balances recorded in the account will be subject to a means 
test based on a utility’s achieved regulatory return on equity (ROE). 
Based on management's assessment of the OEB’s final guidance, no 
amounts related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been recognized as 
regulatory assets.

14.  OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Right-of-Use assets (Note 23)

Investments

Other long-term assets

15.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Accrued liabilities

Accounts payable

Accrued interest

Environmental liabilities (Note 21)

Regulatory liabilities (Note 13) 

Lease obligations (Note 23)

Derivative liabilities (Note 18)

16.  OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Post-retirement and post-employment benefit liability (Note 20)

Pension benefit liability (Note 20)

Environmental liabilities (Note 21)

Lease obligations (Note 23)

Asset retirement obligations (Note 22) 

Derivative liabilities (Note 18)

Long-term accounts payable

Other long-term liabilities

2021

57

22

14

93

2021

619

255

124

34

10

14

8

2020

77

7

8

92

2020

566

238

118

33

66

12

11

1,064

1,044

2021

1,800

713

88

46

14

—

3

19

2020

1,797

1,660

100

70

13

14

3

17

2,683

3,674

74

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 202117.  DEBT AND CREDIT AGREEMENTS

Short-Term Notes and Credit Facilities
Hydro One meets its short-term liquidity requirements in part 
through the issuance of commercial paper under Hydro One Inc.’s 
Commercial Paper Program which has a maximum authorized amount 
of $2,300 million. These short-term notes are denominated in Canadian 
dollars with varying maturities up to 365 days. The Commercial Paper 

Program is supported by Hydro One Inc.’s revolving standby credit 
facilities totalling $2,300 million.

At December 31, 2021, Hydro One’s consolidated committed and 
unsecured credit facilities (Operating Credit Facilities) consisted of 
the following: 

(millions of dollars)

Hydro One Inc.

  Revolving standby credit facilities

Hydro One

  Five-year senior, revolving term credit facility

Total

Maturity

June 20261

June 20261

Total 
Amount

2,300 

250 

2,550 

Amount  
Drawn

— 

— 

— 

1  On June 1, 2021, the maturity dates for the Operating Credit Facilities were extended from June 2024 to June 2026.

The Company may use the Operating Credit Facilities for working 
capital and general corporate purposes. If used, interest on the 
Operating Credit Facilities would apply based on Canadian benchmark 
rates. The obligation of each lender to make any credit extension under 
its credit facility is subject to various conditions including that no event 
of default has occurred or would result from such credit extension. 

Subsidiary Debt Guarantee
Hydro One Holdings Limited (HOHL) is an indirect wholly-owned 
subsidiary of Hydro One that may offer and sell debt securities. Any debt 
securities issued by HOHL are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by 
the Company. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, no debt securities have 
been issued by HOHL. 

75

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Long-Term Debt
The following table presents long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

1.84% Series 34 notes due 2021
2.57% Series 39 notes due 20211

3.20% Series 25 notes due 2022

0.71% Series 48 notes due 2023

2.54% Series 42 notes due 2024

1.76% Series 45 notes due 2025

2.97% Series 40 notes due 2025

2.77% Series 35 notes due 2026

3.02% Series 43 notes due 2029

2.16% Series 46 notes due 2030

7.35% Debentures due 2030

1.69% Series 49 notes due 2031

2.23% Series 50 notes due 2031

6.93% Series 2 notes due 2032

6.35% Series 4 notes due 2034

5.36% Series 9 notes due 2036

4.89% Series 12 notes due 2037

6.03% Series 17 notes due 2039

5.49% Series 18 notes due 2040

4.39% Series 23 notes due 2041

6.59% Series 5 notes due 2043

4.59% Series 29 notes due 2043

4.17% Series 32 notes due 2044

5.00% Series 11 notes due 2046

3.91% Series 36 notes due 2046

3.72% Series 38 notes due 2047

3.63% Series 41 notes due 2049

2.71% Series 47 notes due 2050

3.64% Series 44 notes due 2050

3.10% Series 51 notes due 2051

4.00% Series 24 notes due 2051

3.79% Series 26 notes due 2062

4.29% Series 30 notes due 2064

2021

2020

—

—

600

600

700

400

350

500

550

400

400

400

450

500

385

600

400

300

500

300

315

435

350

325

350

450

750

500

250

450

225

310

50

500

300

600

600

700

400

350

500

550

400

400

400

—

500

385

600

400

300

500

300

315

435

350

325

350

450

750

500

250

—

225

310

50

Hydro One Inc. long-term debt (a)

1.41% Series 2020-1 notes due 2027

Hydro One long-term debt (b)

6.6% Senior Secured Bonds due 2023 (Principal amount – $98 million)

4.6% Note Payable due 2023 (Principal amount – $36 million)

HOSSM long-term debt (c)

Add: Net unamortized debt premiums
Add: Unrealized mark-to-market loss1

Less: Unamortized deferred debt issuance costs

Total long-term debt

13,095

12,995

425

425

105

37

142

425

425

113

38

151

13,662

13,571

9

—

(51)

10

3

(52)

13,620

13,532

1  At December 31, 2021, there was no unrealized mark-to-market loss. At December 31, 2020, the unrealized mark-to-market net loss of $3 million related to $300 million Series 39 

notes repaid in June 2021. At December 31, 2020, the unrealized mark-to-market net loss was offset by a $3 million unrealized mark-to-market net gain on the related fixed-to-floating 
interest-rate swap agreements, which were accounted for as fair value hedges. 

76

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021(a)  Hydro One Inc. long-term debt

(b)  Hydro One long-term debt

 At December 31, 2021, long-term debt of $13,095 million (2020 – 
$12,995 million) was outstanding, the majority of which was issued 
under Hydro One Inc.’s Medium Term Note (MTN) Program. In April 
2020, Hydro One Inc. filed a short form base shelf prospectus in 
connection with its MTN Program, which has a maximum authorized 
principal amount of notes issuable of $4,000 million, expiring in 
May 2022. At December 31, 2021, $1,900 million remained available 
for issuance under the MTN Program prospectus. 

 In 2021, Hydro One Inc. issued long-term debt totalling $900 million 
(2020 – $2,300 million) and repaid long-term debt of $800 million 
(2020 – $650 million) under the MTN Program.

 At December 31, 2021, long-term debt of $425 million (2020 – 
$425 million) was outstanding under Hydro One's short form base 
shelf prospectus (Universal Base Shelf Prospectus). In August 
2020, Hydro One filed the Universal Base Shelf Prospectus with 
securities regulatory authorities in Canada. The Universal Base Shelf 
Prospectus allows Hydro One to offer, from time to time in one or 
more public offerings, up to $2,000 million of debt, equity or other 
securities, or any combination thereof, and expires in September 
2022. At December 31, 2021, $1,575 million remained available for 
issuance under the Universal Base Shelf Prospectus. During the year 
ended December 31, 2021, no long-term debt was issued (2020 – 
$425 million) or repaid (2020 – $nil). 

(c)  HOSSM long-term debt

 At December 31, 2021, HOSSM long-term debt of $142 million 
(2020 – $151 million), with a principal amount of $134 million (2020 – 
$138 million) was outstanding. In 2021, no long-term debt was issued 
(2020 – $nil), and $4 million (2020 – $3 million) of long-term debt 
was repaid.

The total long-term debt is presented on the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Current liabilities:

  Long-term debt payable within one year

Long-term liabilities:

  Long-term debt

Total long-term debt

2021

603

13,017

13,620

2020

806

12,726

13,532

Principal and Interest Payments
At December 31, 2021, future principal repayments, interest payments, and related weighted-average interest rates were as follows: 

Long-Term Debt 
Principal Repayments

Interest 
Payments

Weighted-Average 
Interest Rate

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Years 6-10

Thereafter

(millions of dollars)

(millions of dollars)

603

731

700

750

500

3,284

2,625

7,745

13,654

507

491

476

458

443

2,375

2,052

4,004

8,431

(%)

3.2

1.7

2.5

2.3

2.8

2.5

3.0

4.6

3.8

77

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18.   FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Fair value is considered to be the exchange price in an orderly 
transaction between market participants to sell an asset or transfer a 
liability at the measurement date. The fair value definition focuses on 
an exit price, which is the price that would be received in the sale of an 
asset or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability. 

inputs include, but are not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets 
or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar 
assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than 
quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such 
as interest-rate curves and yield curves observable at commonly quoted 
intervals, volatilities, credit risk and default rates. A Level 2 measurement 
cannot have more than an insignificant portion of the valuation based 
on unobservable inputs.

Hydro One classifies its fair value measurements based on the following 
hierarchy, as prescribed by the accounting guidance for fair value, which 
prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value 
into three levels:

Level 3 inputs are any fair value measurements that include 
unobservable inputs for the asset or liability for more than an 
insignificant portion of the valuation. A Level 3 measurement may be 
based primarily on Level 2 inputs. 

Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for 
identical assets or liabilities that Hydro One has the ability to access. 
An active market for the asset or liability is one in which transactions 
for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to 
provide ongoing pricing information. 

Level 2 inputs are those other than quoted market prices that are 
observable, either directly or indirectly, for an asset or liability. Level 2 

Non-Derivative Financial Assets and Liabilities
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s carrying amounts 
of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, due from related 
parties, short-term notes payable, accounts payable, and due to related 
parties are representative of fair value due to the short-term nature of 
these instruments. 

Fair Value Measurements of Long-Term Debt
The fair values and carrying values of the Company’s long-term debt at December 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows: 

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Carrying Value

2021

2021

2020

Long-term debt measured at fair value – $300 million 

MTN Series 39 notes

Other notes and debentures

Long-term debt, including current portion

Fair Value Measurements of Derivative Instruments

—

13,620

13,620

—

15,573

15,573

303

13,229

13,532

2020

Fair Value

303

16,226

16,529

Fair Value Hedges
At December 31, 2021, Hydro One Inc. had no fair value hedges. 
At December 31, 2020, Hydro One Inc. had interest-rate swaps with 
a total notional amount of $300 million that were used to convert 
fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt. These swaps were designated 
as fair value hedges. Hydro One Inc.’s fair value hedge exposure at 
December 31, 2020 was approximately 2% of its total long-term debt. 

Cash Flow Hedges
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, Hydro One Inc. had a total of 
$800 million in pay-fixed, receive-floating interest-rate swap 
agreements designated as cash flow hedges. These cash flow hedges 
are intended to offset the variability of interest rates on the issuances 
of short-term commercial paper between January 9, 2020 and 
March 9, 2023. 

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had no derivative 
instruments classified as undesignated contracts. 

78

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Fair Value Hierarchy 
The fair value hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities at December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows: 

As at December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Liabilities:

  Long-term debt, including current portion

13,620

15,573

  Derivative instruments (Notes 15, 16)

  Cash flow hedges, including current portion

8

8

13,628

15,581

—

—

—

15,573

8

15,581

—

—

—

As at December 31, 2020 (millions of dollars)

Carrying Value

Fair Value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Assets:

  Derivative instruments (Note 10)

  Fair value hedges

Liabilities:

3

3

3

3

  Long-term debt, including current portion

13,532

16,529

  Derivative instruments (Notes 15, 16)

  Cash flow hedges, including current portion

25

13,557

25

16,554

—

—

—

—

—

3

3

16,529

25

16,554

The fair value of the hedged portion of the long-term debt is primarily based on the present value of future cash flows using a swap yield curve 
to determine the assumption for interest rates. The fair value of the unhedged portion of the long-term debt is based on unadjusted period-end 
market prices for the same or similar debt of the same remaining maturities.

There were no transfers between any of the fair value levels during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020. 

—

—

—

—

—

79

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk Management
Exposure to market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk arises in the normal 
course of the Company’s business. 

Market Risk
Market risk refers primarily to the risk of loss which results from changes 
in values, foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The Company is 
exposed to fluctuations in interest rates, as its regulated ROE is derived 
using a formulaic approach that takes anticipated interest rates into 
account. The Company is not currently exposed to material commodity 
price risk or material foreign exchange risk. 

The Company uses a combination of fixed and variable-rate debt to 
manage the mix of its debt portfolio. The Company also uses derivative 
financial instruments to manage interest-rate risk. The Company may 
utilize interest-rate swaps designated as fair value hedges as a means to 
manage its interest rate exposure to achieve a lower cost of debt. The 
Company may also utilize interest-rate derivative instruments, such as 
cash flow hedges, to manage its exposure to short-term interest rates or 
to lock in interest-rate levels on forecasted financing. 

A hypothetical 100 basis points increase in interest rates associated 
with variable-rate debt would not have resulted in a significant decrease 
in Hydro One’s net income for the years ended December 31, 2021 
and 2020. 

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value 
hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the 
offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged 
risk are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations 
and comprehensive income. The net unrealized loss (gain) on the 
hedged debt and the related interest-rate swaps for the years ended 
December 31, 2021 and 2020 were not material. 

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow 
hedges, the unrealized gain or loss, after tax, on the derivative instrument 
is recorded as OCI or OCL and is reclassified to results of operations in 
the same period during which the hedged transaction affects results 
of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2021, a $4 million 
after-tax unrealized gain (2020 - $28 million loss), $5 million before-tax 
(2020 – $38 million loss), was recorded in OCI, and a $8 million after-tax 
realized loss (2020 – $5 million), $12 million before-tax (2020 – $7 million), 
was reclassified to financing charges. This resulted in an accumulated 
other comprehensive loss (AOCL) of $6 million related to cash flow 
hedges at December 31, 2021 (2020 – $18 million). The Company 
estimates that the amount of AOCL, after tax, related to cash flow 
hedges to be reclassified to results of operations in the next 12 months is 
$6 million. Actual amounts reclassified to results of operations depend on 
the interest rate risk in effect until the derivative contracts mature. For all 
forecasted transactions, at December 31, 2021, the maximum term over 
which the Company is hedging exposures to the variability of cash flows 
is approximately one year.

The Pension Plan manages market risk by diversifying investments in 
accordance with the Pension Plan’s Statement of Investment Policies 
and Procedures (SIPP). Interest rate risk arises from the possibility 
that changes in interest rates will affect the fair value of the Pension 
Plan’s financial instruments. In addition, changes in interest rates can 

also impact discount rates which impact the valuation of the pension 
and post-retirements and post-employment liabilities. Currency risk 
is the risk that the value of the Pension Plan’s financial instruments will 
fluctuate due to changes in foreign currencies relative to the Canadian 
dollar. Other price risk is the risk that the value of the Pension Plan’s 
investments in equity securities will fluctuate as a result of changes 
in market prices, other than those arising from interest rate risk or 
currency risk. All three factors may contribute to changes in values 
of the Pension Plan investments. See Note 20 – Pension and Post- 
Retirement and Post-Employment Benefits for further details. 

Credit Risk
Financial assets create a risk that a counterparty will fail to discharge 
an obligation, causing a financial loss. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, 
there were no significant concentrations of credit risk with respect to 
any class of financial assets. The Company’s revenue is earned from a 
broad base of customers. As a result, Hydro One did not earn a material 
amount of revenue from any single customer. At December 31, 2021 and 
2020, there was no material accounts receivable balance due from any 
single customer. 

At December 31, 2021, the Company’s allowance for doubtful 
accounts was $56 million (2020 – $46 million). The allowance for 
doubtful accounts reflects the Company's CECL for all accounts 
receivable balances, which are based on historical overdue 
balances, customer payments and write-offs. At December 31, 2021, 
approximately 5% (2020 – 4%) of the Company’s net accounts 
receivable were outstanding for more than 60 days. Please see Note 9 – 
Accounts Receivable for additions to allowance for doubtful accounts 
related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Hydro One manages its counterparty credit risk through various 
techniques including (i) entering into transactions with highly rated 
counterparties, (ii) limiting total exposure levels with individual 
counterparties, (iii) entering into master agreements which enable 
net settlement and the contractual right of offset, and (iv) monitoring 
the financial condition of counterparties. The Company monitors 
current credit exposure to counterparties on both an individual and an 
aggregate basis. The Company’s credit risk for accounts receivable is 
limited to the carrying amounts on the consolidated balance sheets. 

Derivative financial instruments result in exposure to credit risk 
since there is a risk of counterparty default. The maximum credit 
exposure of derivative contracts, before collateral, is represented 
by the fair value of contracts in an asset position at the reporting 
date. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the counterparty credit risk 
exposure on the fair value of these interest-rate swap contracts was 
not material. At December 31, 2021, Hydro One’s credit exposure for 
all derivative instruments, and applicable payables and receivables, 
was with two financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings 
as counterparties. 

The Pension Plan manages its counterparty credit risk with respect to 
bonds by investing in investment-grade corporate and government 
bonds and with respect to derivative instruments by transacting only 
with highly rated financial institutions and by ensuring that exposure is 
diversified across counterparties. 

80

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk refers to the Company’s ability to meet its financial 
obligations as they come due. Hydro One meets its short-term 
operating liquidity requirements using cash and cash equivalents 
on hand, funds from operations, the issuance of commercial paper, 
and the Operating Credit Facilities. The short-term liquidity under 
the commercial paper program, the Operating Credit Facilities, and 
anticipated levels of funds from operations are expected to be sufficient 
to fund the Company’s operating requirements. The Company's 
currently available liquidity is also expected to be sufficient to address 
any reasonably foreseeable impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic may 
have on the Company’s cash requirements. 

In April 2020, Hydro One Inc. filed a short form base shelf prospectus 
in connection with its MTN Program, which has a maximum authorized 
principal amount of notes issuable of $4,000 million, expiring in 
May 2022. At December 31, 2021, $1,900 million remained available for 
issuance under the MTN Program prospectus. A new MTN Program 
prospectus is expected to be filed in the first half of 2022. 

In August 2020, Hydro One filed the Universal Base Shelf Prospectus 
with securities regulatory authorities in Canada. The Universal Base 

Shelf Prospectus allows Hydro One to offer, from time to time in one 
or more public offerings, up to $2,000 million of debt, equity or other 
securities, or any combination thereof, and expires in September 2022. 
At December 31, 2021, $1,575 million remained available for issuance 
under the Universal Base Shelf Prospectus. 

In December 2020, HOHL filed a short form base shelf prospectus 
(US Debt Shelf Prospectus) with securities regulatory authorities in 
Canada and the US to replace a previous prospectus that expired 
in December 2020. The US Debt Shelf Prospectus allows HOHL 
to offer, from time to time in one or more public offerings, up to 
US$3,000 million of debt securities, unconditionally guaranteed by 
Hydro One, expiring in January 2023. At December 31, 2021, no securities 
have been issued under the US Debt Shelf Prospectus. 

The Pension Plan’s short-term liquidity is provided through cash and 
cash equivalents, contributions, investment income and proceeds from 
investment transactions. In the event that investments must be sold 
quickly to meet current obligations, the majority of the Pension Plan’s 
assets are invested in securities that are traded in an active market and 
can be readily disposed of as liquidity needs arise. 

19.  CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
The Company’s objectives with respect to its capital structure are to maintain effective access to capital on a long-term basis at reasonable rates, 
and to deliver appropriate financial returns. In order to ensure ongoing access to capital, the Company targets to maintain strong credit quality. 
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s capital structure was as follows: :

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Long-term debt payable within one year

Short-term notes payable

Less: cash and cash equivalents

Long-term debt

Common shares

Retained earnings

Total capital

2021

603

1,045

(540)

1,108

2020

806

800

(757)

849

13,017

12,726

5,688

5,174

24,987

5,678

4,838

24,091

Hydro One Inc. and HOSSM have customary covenants typically associated with long-term debt. Long-term debt and credit facility covenants 
limit permissible debt to 75% of its total capitalization, limit the ability to sell assets and impose a negative pledge provision, subject to customary 
exceptions. At December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants and limitations associated with the outstanding 
borrowings and credit facilities. 

81

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 202120.   PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT AND 

POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Hydro One has a Pension Plan, a DC Plan, a supplementary pension 
plan (Supplementary Plan), and post-retirement and post-employment 
benefit plans. 

DC Plan 
Hydro One established a DC Plan effective January 1, 2016. The DC Plan 
covers eligible management employees hired on or after January 1, 2016, 
as well as management employees hired before January 1, 2016 who 
were not eligible to join the Pension Plan as of September 30, 2015. 
Members of the DC Plan have an option to contribute 4%, 5% or 6% of 
their pensionable earnings, with matching contributions by Hydro One 
up to an annual contribution limit. There is also a Supplementary 
DC Plan that provides members of the DC Plan with employer 
contributions beyond the limitations imposed by the Income Tax Act 
(Canada) in the form of credits to a notional account. Hydro One 
contributions to the DC Plan for the year ended December 31, 2021 
were $2 million (2020 – $2 million). 

Pension Plan, Supplementary Plan, and Post-Retirement and 
Post-Employment Plans 
The Pension Plan is a defined benefit contributory plan which covers 
eligible regular employees of Hydro One and its subsidiaries. The 
Pension Plan provides benefits based on highest three-year average 
pensionable earnings. For management employees who commenced 
employment on or after January 1, 2004, and for the Society of United 
Professionals (Society)-represented staff hired after November 17, 2005, 
benefits are based on highest five-year average pensionable earnings. 
After retirement, pensions are indexed to inflation. Membership in the 
Pension Plan was closed to management employees who were not 
eligible or had not irrevocably elected to join the Pension Plan as of 
September 30, 2015. These employees are eligible to join the DC Plan. 

Company and employee contributions to the Pension Plan are based 
on actuarial reports, including valuations performed at least every 
three years, and actual or projected levels of pensionable earnings, 
as applicable. The most recent actuarial valuation was performed 
effective December 31, 2018 and filed on September 30, 2019. The new 
valuation is expected to be filed by no later than September 30, 2022, 
which may result in a change to the estimated contributions for 2022-
2027. Total annual cash Pension Plan employer contributions for 2021 
were $62 million (2020 - $57 million). Estimated annual Pension Plan 
employer contributions for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 
2027 are approximately $93 million, $107 million, $111 million, $111 million, 
$113 million and $118 million, respectively. 

The Supplementary Plan provides members of the Pension Plan 
with benefits that would have been earned and payable under the 
Pension Plan beyond the limitations imposed by the Income Tax Act 
(Canada). The Supplementary Plan obligation is included with other 
post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligations on the 
consolidated balance sheets. 

Hydro One recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of the 
Pension Plan, and post-retirement and post-employment benefit 
plans (Plans) as an asset or liability on its consolidated balance sheets, 
with offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities as appropriate. The 
underfunded benefit obligations for the Plans, in the absence of 
regulatory accounting, would be recognized in AOCI. The impact of 
changes in assumptions used to measure pension and post-retirement 
benefit obligations is generally recognized over the expected average 
remaining service period of the employees and using the corridor 
approach for the post-retirement benefit plan. For post-employment 
benefit plan, the impact of changes in assumptions are recognized 
immediately in the net periodic benefit cost. The measurement date for 
the Plans is December 31. 

82

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021The following tables provide the components of the unfunded status of the Company's Plans at December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Change in projected benefit obligation

Pension Benefits

Post-Retirement and 
Post-Employment Benefits 

2021

2020

2021

2020

Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year

9,763

8,973

1,857

1,783

Current service cost

Employee contributions

Interest cost

Benefits paid

Net actuarial loss (gain)
Transfers from other plans1,2

240

61

257

(392)

(571)

—

215

56

284

(381)

465

151

66

—

51

(47)

(98)

34

70

—

58

(45)

(42)

33

Projected benefit obligation, end of year

9,358

9,763

1,863

1,857

Change in plan assets

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

Actual return on plan assets

Benefits paid

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Administrative expenses
Transfers from other plans1

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

Unfunded status

8,103

834

(392)

62

61

(23)

—

8,645

713

7,848

425

(381)

57

56

(22)

120

8,103

1,660

—

—

(47)

47

—

—

—

—

—

—

(45)

45

—

—

—

—

1,863

1,857

1 

 In 2020, assets and liabilities associated with the Inergi LP Pension Plan and post-employment benefit plans were transferred to the Hydro One Pension Plan and post-employment 
benefit plans, related to the 2018 transfer of customer service operations employees to Hydro One.

2  See below for information related to the transfer from other plans in 2021 as well as future transfers from other plans for employees transferred in 2021 and 2022.

Future Transfers from Other Plans 
In January 2021, Hydro One and Inergi LP (Inergi) executed a letter 
of understanding (LOU) for the transfer of certain Inergi employees 
(Transferred Employees) to Hydro One Networks over a period of 
time. Employees related to the Information Technology Operations, 
Finance and Accounting, Payroll and certain Shared Services 
functions transferred over a period ending January 1, 2022. The 
Transferred Employees who are participants in the Inergi LP Pension 
Plan (Inergi Plan) became participants in the Hydro One Pension 
Plan upon transfer to Hydro One. Subject to all necessary regulatory 
approvals, the assets and liabilities of the Inergi Plan will transfer to 
the Plan. The values of assets and liabilities of the Inergi Plan to be 
transferred to the Plan will be determined at the date of transfer, 
which is expected to occur sometime in 2023. In accordance with 
the LOU, Inergi and Hydro One Networks also agreed to transfer 
OPEB liabilities related to the Transferred Employees to Hydro 
One’s post-retirement and post-employment benefit plans.

On March 1, 2021, Transferred Employees associated with information 
technology operations (ITO Employees) transferred to Hydro One 
Networks, and the transfer of the OPEB liability of $28 million related 
to the ITO Employees was completed. The liability was recorded as a 
post-retirement and post-employment benefit liability with an offset to 

OCL, and cash totaling $27 million was transferred to Hydro One and 
recorded as an asset with an offset to OCI. Both, the OCI resulting from 
the transfer of the cash asset and the OCL resulting from the transfer 
of the other post-retirement benefit liability are being recognized in net 
income over the expected average remaining service lifetime (EARSL) of 
the ITO Employees. 

On November 1, 2021, Transferred Employees associated with 
source to pay operations (S2P Employees) transferred to Hydro One 
Networks, and the transfer of the OPEB liability of $6 million related 
to the S2P Employees was completed. The liability was recorded as a 
post-retirement and post-employment benefit liability with an offset 
to OCL, and cash totaling $6 million was transferred to Hydro One and 
recorded as an asset with an offset to OCI. Both, the OCI resulting from 
the transfer of the cash asset and the OCL resulting from the transfer 
of the other post-retirement benefit liability are being recognized in 
net income over the EARSL of the S2P Employees.

The transfer of Finance and Accounting, Payroll and certain Shared 
Services functions occurred on January 1, 2022 and the transfer of the 
OPEB liability will be recorded in the first quarter of 2022. 

83

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
Hydro One presents its benefit obligations and plan assets net on its consolidated balance sheets as follows: 

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Other assets1

Accrued liabilities

Pension benefit liability

Post-retirement and post-employment benefit liability

Net unfunded status

1  Represents the funded status of HOSSM defined benefit pension plan. 

Pension Benefits

Post-Retirement and 
Post-Employment Benefits 

2021

10

—

713

—

703

2020

6

—

1,660

—

1,654

2021

—

63

—

1,800

1,863

2020

—

60

—

1,797

1,857

The funded or unfunded status of the Plans refers to the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the PBO for the Plans. The funded/
unfunded status changes over time due to several factors, including contribution levels, assumed discount rates and actual returns on plan assets. 

The following table provides the PBO, accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and fair value of plan assets for the Pension Plan: 

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

PBO

ABO

Fair value of plan assets

2021

9,358

8,451

8,645

2020

9,763

8,817

8,103

On an ABO basis, the Pension Plan was funded at 102% at December 31, 2021 (2020 – 92%). On a PBO basis, the Pension Plan was funded at 92% at 
December 31, 2021 (2020 – 83%). The ABO differs from the PBO in that the ABO includes no assumption about future compensation levels. 

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs
The following table provides the components of the net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 for the 
Pension Plan:

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Current service cost

Interest cost

Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses

Prior service cost amortization

Amortization of actuarial losses

Net periodic benefit costs
Charged to results of operations1

2021

240

257

(430)

2

125

194

27

2020

215

284

(450)

2

95

146

25

1  The Company accounts for pension costs consistent with their inclusion in OEB-approved rates. During the year ended December 31, 2021, pension costs of $74 million (2020 – 

$69 million) were attributed to labour, of which $27 million (2020 – $25 million) was charged to operations, and $47 million (2020 – $44 million) was capitalized as part of the cost of 
property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. 

The following table provides the components of the net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 for the 
post-retirement and post-employment benefit plans:

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Current service cost

Interest cost

Prior service cost amortization

Amortization of actuarial losses

Net periodic benefit costs
Charged to results of operations1,2

2021

66

51

7

(2)

122

64

2020

70

58

2

5

135

73

1  The Company accounts for post-retirement and post-employment costs consistent with their inclusion in OEB-approved rates. During the year ended December 31, 2021, 

post-retirement and post-employment costs of $122 million (2020 – $135 million) were attributed to labour, of which $64 million (2020 – $73 million) was charged to operations, 
$14 million (2020 – $17 million) was recorded in the Hydro One Networks distribution post-retirement and post-employment benefits non-service cost regulatory asset, and $44 million 
(2020 – $45 million) was capitalized as part of the cost of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.

2 

In the 2020-2022 Transmission Decision, the OEB approved the recovery of the non-service cost component of post-retirement and post-employment benefits as part of operation, 
maintenance and administration costs for the Company's transmission business. These costs were previously capitalized and recovered through rate base. As a result, during the year 
ended December 31, 2021, additional other post-retirement and post-employment costs of $14 million (2020 – $22 million) attributed to labour were charged to operations.

84

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
Assumptions
The measurement of the obligations of the Plans and the costs of 
providing benefits under the Plans involves various factors, including the 
development of valuation assumptions and accounting policy elections. 
When developing the required assumptions, the Company considers 
historical information as well as future expectations. The measurement 
of benefit obligations and costs is impacted by several assumptions 
including the discount rate applied to benefit obligations, the long-term 
expected rate of return on plan assets, Hydro One’s expected level of 
contributions to the Plans, the incidence of mortality, the expected 
remaining service period of plan participants, the level of compensation 

and rate of compensation increases, employee age, length of service, 
and the anticipated rate of increase of health care costs, among other 
factors. The impact of changes in assumptions used to measure the 
obligations of the Plans is generally recognized over the expected 
average remaining service period of the plan participants. In selecting 
the expected rate of return on plan assets, Hydro One considers 
historical economic indicators that impact asset returns, as well as 
expectations regarding future long-term capital market performance, 
weighted by target asset class allocations. In general, equity securities, 
real estate and private equity investments are forecasted to have higher 
returns than fixed-income securities. 

The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations at December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31

Significant assumptions:

  Weighted average discount rate

  Rate of compensation scale escalation (long-term)

  Rate of cost of living increase

  Rate of increase in health care cost trends1

Pension Benefits

Post-Retirement and 
Post-Employment Benefits 

2021

2020

2021

2020

3.00%

2.25%

1.75%

—

2.60%

2.25%

1.75%

—

3.00%

2.25%

1.75%

3.97%

2.60%

2.25%

1.75%

3.70%

1  4.88% per annum in 2022, grading down to 3.97% per annum in and after 2031 (2020 – 4.74% per annum in 2021, grading down to 3.70% per annum in and after 2031). 

The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 
2020. Assumptions used to determine current year-end benefit obligations are the assumptions used to estimate the subsequent year’s net 
periodic benefit costs. 

Year ended December 31

Pension Benefits:

  Weighted average expected rate of return on plan assets

  Weighted average discount rate

  Rate of compensation scale escalation (long-term)

  Rate of cost of living increase

  Average remaining service life of employees (years)

Post-Retirement and Post-Employment Benefits:

  Weighted average discount rate

  Rate of compensation scale escalation (long-term)

  Rate of cost of living increase

  Average remaining service life of employees (years)

  Rate of increase in health care cost trends1

2021

2020

5.40%

2.60%

2.25%

1.75%

14

2.60%

2.25%

1.75%

15.3

3.70%

5.75%

3.10%

2.50%

2.00%

15

3.10%

2.50%

2.00%

15.5

4.04%

1  4.74% per annum in 2021, grading down to 3.70% per annum in and after 2031 (2020 – 5.09% per annum in 2020, grading down to 4.04% per annum in and after 2031).

The discount rate used to determine the current year pension obligation and the subsequent year’s net periodic benefit costs is based on a yield 
curve approach. Under the yield curve approach, expected future benefit payments for each plan are discounted by a rate on a third-party bond 
yield curve corresponding to each duration. The yield curve is based on “AA” long-term corporate bonds. A single discount rate is calculated that 
would yield the same present value as the sum of the discounted cash flows. 

85

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
The following approximate life expectancies were used in the mortality assumptions to determine the PBO for the pension and post-retirement and 
post-employment plans at December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

As at December 31

Life expectancy at age 65 for a member currently at:

  Age 65 – male

  Age 65 – female

  Age 45 – male

  Age 45 – female

Estimated Future Benefit Payments
At December 31, 2021, estimated future benefit payments to the participants of the Plans were: 

(millions of dollars)

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027 through to 2031

Total estimated future benefit payments through to 2031

2021

(years)

23

25

24

26

2020

(years)

22

25

23

26

Pension Benefits

Post-Retirement and
Post-Employment Benefits

362

369

375

379

383

1,962

3,830

65

65

66

67

68

347

678

Components of Regulatory Accounts
A portion of actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs is recorded within regulatory accounts on Hydro One’s consolidated balance sheets to 
reflect the expected regulatory inclusion of these amounts in future rates, which would otherwise be recorded in OCI. These amounts are reflected 
in the following table: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Pension Benefits:

  Actuarial (gain) loss for the year

  Prior service cost for the year

  Amortization of actuarial losses

  Amortization of prior service cost

Post-Retirement and Post-Employment Benefits:

  Actuarial gain for the year

  Amortization of actuarial losses

2021

(891)

—

(124)

(2)

(1,017)

(91)

(3)

(94)

2020

536

31

(95)

(2)

470

(44)

(2)

(46)

86

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
 
The following table provides the components of regulatory accounts that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs 
for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Pension Benefits:

  Actuarial loss

Post-Retirement and Post-Employment Benefits:

  Actuarial (gain) loss

Pension Plan Assets

Investment Strategy
On a regular basis, Hydro One evaluates its investment strategy to ensure 
that Pension Plan assets will be sufficient to pay Pension Plan benefits 
when it comes due. As part of this ongoing evaluation, Hydro One may 
make changes to its targeted asset allocation and investment strategy. 
The Pension Plan is managed at a net asset level. The main objective 
of the Pension Plan is to sustain a certain level of net assets in order to 
meet the pension obligations of the Company. The Pension Plan fulfils 
its primary objective by adhering to specific investment policies outlined 
in its Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures (SIPP), which is 

2021

713

(33)

2020

1,660

59

reviewed and approved annually by the Human Resource Committee 
of Hydro One’s Board of Directors. The Company manages net assets 
by engaging external investment managers who are charged with the 
fiduciary responsibility of investing existing funds and new funds (current 
year’s employee and employer contributions) in accordance with the 
approved SIPP. The performance of the underlying investment managers 
is monitored through a governance structure. Increases in net assets 
are a direct result of investment income generated by investments held 
by the Pension Plan and contributions to the Pension Plan by eligible 
employees and by the Company. The main use of net assets is for benefit 
payments to eligible Pension Plan members. 

Pension Plan Asset Mix
At December 31, 2021, the Pension Plan actual weighted average, target, and range asset allocations were as follows: 

Equity securities

Debt securities

Real Estate and Infrastructure

Actual (%)

Target Allocation (%)

Range Allocation (%)

51

33

16

100

40

35

25

100

25 – 55

30 – 40

0 – 35

At December 31, 2021, the Pension Plan held $22 million (2020 – $23 million) Hydro One corporate bonds and $603 million (2020 – $565 million) of 
debt securities of the Province. 

Concentrations of Credit Risk
Hydro One evaluated its Pension Plan’s asset portfolio for the existence 
of significant concentrations of credit risk as at December 31, 2021 and 
2020. Concentrations that were evaluated include, but are not limited 
to, investment concentrations in a single entity, concentrations in a type 
of industry, and concentrations in individual funds. At December 31, 2021 
and 2020, there were no significant concentrations (defined as greater 
than 10% of plan assets) of risk in the Pension Plan’s assets.

The Pension Plan's Statement of Investment Beliefs and Guidelines 
provides guidelines and restrictions for eligible investments taking 

into account credit ratings, maximum investment exposure and other 
controls in order to limit the impact of this risk. The Pension Plan 
manages its counterparty credit risk with respect to bonds by investing 
in investment-grade and government bonds and with respect to 
derivative instruments by transacting only with highly rated financial 
institutions, and also by ensuring that exposure is diversified across 
counterparties. The risk of default on transactions in listed securities is 
considered minimal, as the trade will fail if either party to the transaction 
does not meet its obligation.

87

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Fair Value Measurements
The following tables present the Pension Plan assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and their level within the 
fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

As at December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Pooled funds

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term securities

Derivative instruments

Corporate shares – Canadian

Corporate shares – Foreign

Bonds and debentures – Canadian 

Bonds and debentures – Foreign

Total fair value of plan assets1

Derivative instruments

Total fair value of plan liabilities1

Level 1

—

144

—

—

167

3,412

—

—

3,723

—

—

Level 2

21

—

86

2

—

258

2,491

97

2,955

1

1

Level 3

1,937

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,937

—

—

Total

1,958

144

86

2

167

3,670

2,491

97

8,615

1

1

1  At December 31, 2021, the total fair value of Pension Plan assets and liabilities excludes $39 million of interest and dividends receivable, $5 million of pension administration expenses 

payable, $2 million of taxes payable, $4 million payable to participants, $6 million of sold investments receivable, and $3 million of purchased investments payable.

As at December 31, 2020 (millions of dollars)

Level 1

Level 2

Pooled funds

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term securities

Derivative instruments

Corporate shares – Canadian

Corporate shares – Foreign

Bonds and debentures – Canadian 

Bonds and debentures – Foreign

Total fair value of plan assets1

Derivative instruments

Total fair value of plan liabilities1

—

163

—

—

142

3,335

—

—

3,640

—

—

21

—

175

2

—

209

2,499

96

3,002

1

1

Level 3

1,429

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,429

—

—

Total

1,450

163

175

2

142

3,544

2,499

96

8,071

1

1

1  At December 31, 2020, the total fair value of Pension Plan assets and liabilities excludes $39 million of interest and dividends receivable, $6 million of pension administration expenses 

payable, $2 million of taxes payable, $6 million payable to participants, $17 million of sold investments receivable, and $9 million of purchased investments payable. 

See Note 18 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Risk Management for a description of levels within the fair value hierarchy. 

88

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Changes in the Fair Value of Financial Instruments Classified in Level 3
The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of financial instruments classified in Level 3 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 
2020. The Pension Plan classifies financial instruments as Level 3 when the fair value is measured based on at least one significant input that is not 
observable in the markets or due to lack of liquidity in certain markets. The gains and losses presented in the table below could, therefore, include 
changes in fair value based on both observable and unobservable inputs. The Level 3 financial instruments are comprised of pooled funds whose 
valuations are provided by the investment managers. Sensitivity analysis is not provided as the underlying assumptions used by the investment 
managers are not available. 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Fair value, beginning of year

Realized and unrealized gains

Purchases

Sales and disbursements

Fair value, end of year

2021

1,429

307

308

(107)

1,937

2020

1,079

97

288

(35)

1,429

There were no significant transfers between any of the fair value levels during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. 

Valuation Techniques Used to Determine Fair Value
Pooled funds mainly consist of private equity, real estate infrastructure 
and private debt investments. Private equity investments represent 
private equity funds that invest in operating companies that are 
not publicly traded on a stock exchange. Investment strategies in 
private equity include limited partnerships in businesses that are 
characterized by high internal growth and operational efficiencies, 
venture capital, leveraged buyouts and special situations such as 
distressed investments. Real estate and infrastructure investments 
represent funds that invest in real assets which are not publicly traded 
on a stock exchange. Investment strategies in real estate include limited 
partnerships that seek to generate a total return through income and 
capital growth by investing primarily in global and Canadian limited 
partnerships. Investment strategies in infrastructure include limited 
partnerships in core infrastructure assets focusing on assets that 
are expected to generate stable, long-term cash flows and deliver 
incremental returns relative to conventional fixed-income investments. 
Private equity, real estate and infrastructure valuations are reported 
by the fund manager and are based on the valuation of the underlying 
investments which includes inputs such as cost, operating results, 
discounted future cash flows and market-based comparable data. 
Private debt valuations are reported by the fund manager. Private debt 
is credit that is extended to companies on a bilaterally negotiated basis. 
It is not readily marketable and takes a wide range of forms, such as 
senior secured and unsecured loans, infrastructure project financing, 
investments secured by real estate assets, and securitized lease/loan 
obligations supported by a pool of assets. Since these valuation inputs 
are not highly observable, private equity, real estate infrastructure 
and private debt investments have been categorized as Level 3 within 
pooled funds.

Cash equivalents consist of demand cash deposits held with banks 
and cash held by the investment managers. Cash equivalents are 
categorized as Level 1.

Short-term securities are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which 
approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. Short-term 
securities are categorized as Level 2.

Derivative instruments are used to hedge the Pension Plan’s foreign 
currency exposure back to Canadian dollars. The notional principal 
amount of contracts outstanding as at December 31, 2021 was 
$414 million (2020 - $423 million), the most significant currencies 
being hedged against the Canadian dollar are the United States dollar, 
euro, British pound sterling, Swedish krona and Japanese yen. The net 
realized gain on contracts for the year ended December 31, 2021 was 
$2 million (2020 - $8 million net realized loss). The terms to maturity 
of the forward exchange contracts at December 31, 2021 are within 
three months. The fair value is determined using standard interpolation 
methodology primarily based on the World Markets exchange rates. 
Derivative instruments are categorized as Level 2.

Corporate shares are valued based on quoted prices in active markets 
and are categorized as Level 1. Corporate shares which are valued based 
on quoted prices in active markets, but held within a pension investment 
holding company, are categorized as Level 2. Investments denominated 
in foreign currencies are translated into Canadian currency at year-end 
rates of exchange.

Bonds and debentures are presented at published closing trade 
quotations, and are categorized as Level 2.

89

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 202121.  ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES
The following tables show the movements in environmental liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Environmental liabilities – beginning

Interest accretion

Expenditures

Revaluation adjustment

Environmental liabilities – ending

Less: current portion

Year ended December 31, 2020 (millions of dollars)

Environmental liabilities – beginning

Interest accretion

Expenditures

Revaluation adjustment

Environmental liabilities – ending

Less: current portion

PCB

76

1

(24)

15

68

(27)

41

PCB

90

3

(17)

—

76

(25)

51

LAR

57

—

(6)

3

54

(7)

47

LAR

51

—

(6)

12

57

(8)

49

Total

133

1

(30)

18

122

(34)

88

Total

141

3

(23)

12

133

(33)

100

The following tables show the reconciliation between the undiscounted basis of the environmental liabilities and the amount recognized on the 
consolidated balance sheets after factoring in the discount rate: 

As at December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Undiscounted environmental liabilities

Less: discounting environmental liabilities to present value

Discounted environmental liabilities

As at December 31, 2020 (millions of dollars)

Undiscounted environmental liabilities

Less: discounting environmental liabilities to present value

Discounted environmental liabilities

At December 31, 2021, the estimated future environmental expenditures were as follows: 

PCB

70

(2)

68

PCB

80

(4)

76

LAR

54

—

54

LAR

57

—

57

(millions of dollars)

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

Thereafter

90

Total

124

(2)

122

Total

137

(4)

133

34

21

22

12

2

33

124

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Hydro One records a liability for the estimated future expenditures 
for LAR and for the phase-out and destruction of PCB-contaminated 
mineral oil removed from electrical equipment when it is determined 
that future environmental remediation expenditures are probable under 
existing statute or regulation and the amount of the future expenditures 
can be reasonably estimated. 

There are uncertainties in estimating future environmental costs due to 
potential external events such as changes in legislation or regulations, 
and advances in remediation technologies. In determining the amounts 
to be recorded as environmental liabilities, the Company estimates 
the current cost of completing required work and makes assumptions 
as to when the future expenditures will actually be incurred, in order 
to generate future cash flow information. A long-term inflation rate 
assumption of approximately 2% has been used to express these 
current cost estimates as estimated future expenditures. Future 
expenditures have been discounted using factors ranging from 
approximately 2.0% to 6.3%, depending on the appropriate rate for 
the period when expenditures are expected to be incurred. All factors 
used in estimating the Company’s environmental liabilities represent 
management’s best estimates of the present value of costs required 
to meet existing legislation or regulations. However, it is reasonably 
possible that numbers or volumes of contaminated assets, cost 
estimates to perform work, inflation assumptions and the assumed 
pattern of annual cash flows may differ significantly from the Company’s 
current assumptions. In addition, with respect to the PCB environmental 
liability, the availability of critical resources such as skilled labour and 
replacement assets and the ability to take maintenance outages in 
critical facilities may influence the timing of expenditures.

PCBs
The Environment Canada regulations, enacted under the Canadian 
Environmental Protection Act, 1999, govern the management, storage 
and disposal of PCBs based on certain criteria, including type of 
equipment, in-use status, and PCB-contamination thresholds. Under 
current regulations, Hydro One’s PCBs have to be disposed of by the 
end of 2025, with the exception of specifically exempted equipment. 
Contaminated equipment will generally be replaced, or will be 
decontaminated by removing PCB-contaminated insulating oil and retro 
filling with replacement oil that contains PCBs in concentrations of less 
than 2 ppm.

At December 31, 2021, the Company’s best estimate of the total 
estimated future expenditures to comply with current PCB regulations 
was $70 million (2020 – $80 million). These expenditures are expected 
to be incurred over the period from 2022 to 2025. As a result of its 
annual review of environmental liabilities, the Company recorded a 
revaluation adjustment in 2021 to increase the PCB environmental 
liability by $15 million (2020 – no revaluation adjustment was recorded).

LAR
At December 31, 2021, the Company’s best estimate of the total 
estimated future expenditures to complete its LAR program was 
$54 million (2020 – $57 million). These expenditures are expected to 
be incurred over the period from 2022 to 2054. As a result of its annual 
review of environmental liabilities, the Company recorded a revaluation 
adjustment in 2021 to increase the LAR environmental liability by 
$3 million (2020 – $12 million). 

22.  ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Hydro One records a liability for the estimated future expenditures for 
the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials installed 
in some of its facilities. Asset retirement obligations, which represent 
legal obligations associated with the retirement of certain tangible 
long-lived assets, are computed as the present value of the projected 
expenditures for the future retirement of specific assets and are 
recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred, if a reasonable 
estimate can be made. If the asset remains in service at the recognition 
date, the present value of the liability is added to the carrying amount 
of the associated asset in the period the liability is incurred and this 
additional carrying amount is depreciated over the remaining life of 
the asset. If an asset retirement obligation is recorded in respect of an 
out-of-service asset, the asset retirement cost is charged to results of 
operations. Subsequent to the initial recognition, the liability is adjusted 
for any revisions to the estimated future cash flows associated with 
the asset retirement obligation, which can occur due to a number 
of factors including, but not limited to, cost escalation, changes in 
technology applicable to the assets to be retired, changes in legislation 
or regulations, as well as for accretion of the liability due to the passage 
of time until the obligation is settled. Depreciation expense is adjusted 
prospectively for any increases or decreases to the carrying amount of 
the associated asset.

In determining the amounts to be recorded as asset retirement 
obligations, the Company estimates the current fair value for 
completing required work and makes assumptions as to when the 
future expenditures will actually be incurred, in order to generate 
future cash flow information. A long-term inflation assumption of 
approximately 2% has been used to express these current cost 
estimates as estimated future expenditures. Future expenditures 
have been discounted using factors ranging from approximately 
2.0% to 4.0%, depending on the appropriate rate for the period when 
expenditures are expected to be incurred. All factors used in estimating 
the Company’s asset retirement obligations represent management’s 
best estimates of the cost required to meet existing legislation or 
regulations. However, it is reasonably possible that numbers or volumes 
of contaminated assets, cost estimates to perform work, inflation 
assumptions and the assumed pattern of annual cash flows may differ 
significantly from the Company’s current assumptions. Asset retirement 
obligations are reviewed annually or more frequently if significant 
changes in regulations or other relevant factors occur. Estimate 
changes are accounted for prospectively. As a result of its annual 
review of asset retirement obligations, no revaluation adjustment to the 
asset retirement obligations was recorded in 2021 (2020 – revaluation 
adjustment was recorded to increase the asset retirement obligations 
by $3 million).

At December 31, 2021, Hydro One had recorded asset retirement 
obligations of $14 million (2020 – $13 million), primarily consisting of the 
estimated future expenditures associated with the removal and disposal 
of asbestos-containing materials installed in some of its facilities. 

91

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 202123.  LEASES
Hydro One has operating lease contracts for buildings used in administrative and service-related functions and storing telecommunications 
equipment. These leases have terms between three and nine years with renewal options of additional three- to five-year terms at prevailing market 
rates at the time of extension. All leases include a clause to enable upward revision of the rental charge on an annual basis or on renewal according 
to prevailing market conditions or pre-established rents. There are no restrictions placed upon Hydro One by entering into these leases. Renewal 
options are included in the lease term when their exercise is reasonably certain. Other information related to the Company's operating leases was 
as follows: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Lease expense

Lease payments made

As at December 31

Weighted-average remaining lease term1 (years)

Weighted-average discount rate 

1 

Includes renewal options that are reasonably certain to be exercised. 

At December 31, 2021, future minimum operating lease payments were as follows: 

2021

17

16

2021

6

2.3%

(millions of dollars)

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

Thereafter

Total undiscounted minimum lease payments

Less: discounting minimum lease payments to present value 

Total discounted minimum lease payments

At December 31, 2020, future minimum operating lease payments were as follows: 

(millions of dollars)

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Thereafter

Total undiscounted minimum lease payments

Less: discounting minimum lease payments to present value 

Total discounted minimum lease payments

Hydro One presents its ROU assets and lease obligations on the consolidated balance sheets as follows: 

2020

14

13

2020

7

2.6%

16

11

10

7

7

13

64

(4)

60

16

13

12

12

10

27

90

(8)

82

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Other long-term assets (Note 14)

Accounts payable and other current liabilities (Note 15)

Other long-term liabilities (Note 16)

2021

57

14

46

2020

77

12

70

92

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 202124.  SHARE CAPITAL

Common Shares
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common 
shares. At December 31, 2021, the Company had 598,217,549 (2020 – 
597,611,787) common shares issued and outstanding. 

The amount and timing of any dividends payable by Hydro One is at the 
discretion of the Hydro One Board of Directors and is established on the 
basis of Hydro One’s results of operations, maintenance of its deemed 
regulatory capital structure, financial condition, cash requirements, 
the satisfaction of solvency tests imposed by corporate laws for the 
declaration and payment of dividends and other factors that the Board 
of Directors may consider relevant. 

The following tables presents the changes to common shares during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31, 2021 (number of shares)

Common shares – beginning

Common shares issued – LTIP1

Common shares issued – share grants2
Common shares – ending3

Ownership by

Public

Province

Total

315,199,139

282,412,648

597,611,787

188,388

417,374

—

—

188,388

417,374

315,804,901

282,412,648

598,217,549

52.8%

47.2%

100%

1 

In 2021, Hydro One issued from treasury 188,388 common shares in accordance with provisions of the LTIP. 

2 

In 2021, Hydro One issued from treasury 417,374 common shares in accordance with provisions of the Power Workers’ Union (PWU) and the Society Share Grant Plans. 

3  On December 30th, 2021, stock options of 108,710 under the Company's LTIP were exercised with a settlement date of January 4th, 2022. 

Year ended December 31, 2020 (number of shares)

Common shares – beginning
Common shares issued – LTIP1
Common shares issued – share grants2

Common shares – ending

 Ownership by

Public

Province

Total

314,405,788

282,412,648

596,818,436

351,789

441,562

—

—

351,789

441,562

315,199,139

282,412,648

597,611,787

52.7%

47.3%

100%

1 

In 2020, Hydro One issued from treasury 351,789 common shares in accordance with provisions of the LTIP. This included the exercise of 294,840 stock options for $7 million.

2 

In 2020, Hydro One issued from treasury 441,562 common shares in accordance with provisions of the PWU and the Society Share Grant Plans. 

Preferred Shares
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred 
shares, issuable in series. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, two series of 
preferred shares were authorized for issuance: the Series 1 preferred 
shares and the Series 2 preferred shares. At December 31, 2021, and 
2020, the Company had no Preferred Shares and no Series 2 preferred 
shares issued and outstanding. 

On November 20, 2020, Hydro One exercised its option to redeem all of 
its 16,720,000 outstanding Series 1 preferred shares (Preferred Shares) 
in accordance with their terms. The Preferred Shares were redeemed 
at a price of $25.00 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends 
up to, but excluding November 20, 2020, for an aggregate redemption 
price of $423 million, including $418 million Preferred Shares balance 
and $5 million for accrued dividends. The Preferred Shares were not 
exchangeable or convertible into the common shares of the Company 
and the redemption had no impact on the Province's voting rights 
or ownership percentage of the outstanding common shares of 
Hydro One.

Hydro One may from time to time issue preferred shares in one or 
more series. Prior to issuing shares in a series, the Hydro One Board 
of Directors is required to fix the number of shares in the series and 
determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions 
attaching to that series of preferred shares. Holders of Hydro One’s 
preferred shares are not entitled to receive notice of, to attend or to 
vote at any meeting of the shareholders of Hydro One except that votes 

may be granted to a series of preferred shares when dividends have not 
been paid on any one or more series as determined by the applicable 
series provisions. Each series of preferred shares ranks on parity with 
every other series of preferred shares, and are entitled to a preference 
over the common shares and any other shares ranking junior to the 
preferred shares, with respect to dividends and the distribution of 
assets and return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or 
winding up of Hydro One.

For the period commencing from the date of issue of the Preferred 
Shares and ending on and including November 19, 2020, the holders 
of the Preferred Shares were entitled to receive fixed cumulative 
preferential dividends of $1.0625 per share per year, if and when 
declared by the Board of Directors, payable quarterly. 

Share Ownership Restrictions
The Electricity Act imposes share ownership restrictions on securities of 
Hydro One carrying a voting right (Voting Securities). These restrictions 
provide that no person or company (or combination of persons or 
companies acting jointly or in concert) may beneficially own or exercise 
control or direction over more than 10% of any class or series of Voting 
Securities, including common shares of the Company (Share Ownership 
Restrictions). The Share Ownership Restrictions do not apply to Voting 
Securities held by the Province, nor to an underwriter who holds Voting 
Securities solely for the purpose of distributing those securities to 
purchasers who comply with the Share Ownership Restrictions. 

93

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 202125.  DIVIDENDS
In 2021, common share dividends in the amount of $629 million (2020 – 
$599 million) were declared and paid and no preferred share dividends 
(2020 – $18 million) were paid. 

26.  EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic earnings per common share (EPS) is calculated by dividing net 
income attributable to common shareholders of Hydro One by the 
weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. 

See Note 34 – Subsequent Events for dividends declared subsequent to 
December 31, 2021. 

Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common 
shareholders of Hydro One by the weighted-average number of 
common shares outstanding adjusted for the effects of potentially 
dilutive stock-based compensation plans, including the share grant plans 
and the LTIP, which are calculated using the treasury stock method.

Year ended December 31

Net income attributable to common shareholders (millions of dollars)

Weighted-average number of shares

  Basic

  Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation plans

  Diluted

EPS

  Basic

  Diluted

2021

965

2020

1,770

598,080,111

597,421,127

2,278,030

2,497,161

600,358,141

599,918,288

$  1.61

$  1.61

$  2.96

$  2.95

27.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Share Grant Plans
Hydro One has two share grant plans (Share Grant Plans), one for the 
benefit of certain members of the PWU (PWU Share Grant Plan) and 
one for the benefit of certain members of the Society (Society Share 
Grant Plan). 

The PWU Share Grant Plan provides for the issuance of common 
shares of Hydro One from treasury to certain eligible members of the 
PWU annually, commencing on April 1, 2017 and continuing until the 
earlier of April 1, 2028 or the date an eligible employee no longer meets 
the eligibility criteria of the PWU Share Grant Plan. To be eligible, an 
employee must be a member of the Pension Plan on April 1, 2015, be 
employed on the date annual share issuance occurs and continue to 
have under 35 years of service. The requisite service period for the 
PWU Share Grant Plan began on July 3, 2015, which is the date the 
share grant plan was ratified by the PWU. The number of common 
shares issued annually to each eligible employee will be equal to 2.7% 
of such eligible employee’s salary as at April 1, 2015, divided by $20.50, 
being the price of the common shares of Hydro One in its Initial Public 
Offering (IPO). The aggregate number of common shares issuable 
under the PWU Share Grant Plan shall not exceed 3,981,763 common 
shares. In 2015, 3,979,062 common shares were granted under the 
PWU Share Grant Plan.

The Society Share Grant Plan provides for the issuance of common 
shares of Hydro One from treasury to certain eligible members of the 
Society annually, commencing on April 1, 2018 and continuing until the 
earlier of April 1, 2029 or the date an eligible employee no longer meets 
the eligibility criteria of the Society Share Grant Plan. To be eligible, an 
employee must be a member of the Pension Plan on September 1, 2015, 
be employed on the date annual share issuance occurs and continue to 
have under 35 years of service. Therefore, the requisite service period 
for the Society Share Grant Plan began on September 1, 2015. The 
number of common shares issued annually to each eligible employee 
will be equal to 2.0% of such eligible employee’s salary as at September 
1, 2015, divided by $20.50, being the price of the common shares of 
Hydro One in its IPO. The aggregate number of common shares issuable 
under the Society Share Grant Plan shall not exceed 1,434,686 common 
shares. In 2015, 1,433,292 common shares were granted under the 
Society Share Grant Plan.

The fair value of the Hydro One 2015 share grants of $111 million 
was estimated based on the grant date share price of $20.50 and is 
recognized using the graded-vesting attribution method as the share 
grant plans have both a performance condition and a service condition. 
In 2021, 417,374 common shares (2020 – 441,562) were issued under 
the Share Grant Plans. Total share-based compensation recognized 
during 2021 was $5 million (2020 – $7 million) and was recorded as a 
regulatory asset.

94

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
A summary of share grant activity under the Share Grant Plans during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below: 

Year ended December 31, 2021 

Share grants outstanding – beginning

  Vested and issued1

  Forfeited

Share grants outstanding – ending

Share Grants 
(number of common shares)

Weighted-Average 
Price 

3,154,805

(417,374)

(75,431)

2,662,000

$20.50

—

$20.50

$20.50

1 

In 2021, Hydro One issued from treasury 417,374 common shares to eligible employees in accordance with provisions of the Share Grant Plans.

Year ended December 31, 2020

Share grants outstanding – beginning

  Vested and issued1

  Forfeited

Share grants outstanding – ending

Share Grants 
(number of common shares)

Weighted-Average 
Price 

3,674,377

(441,562)

(78,010)

3,154,805

$20.50

—

$20.50

$20.50

1 

In 2020, Hydro One issued from treasury 441,562 common shares to eligible employees in accordance with provisions of the Share Grant Plans. 

Directors’ DSU Plan
Under the Directors’ DSU Plan, directors can elect to receive credit 
for their annual cash retainer in a notional account of DSUs in lieu of 
cash. Hydro One’s Board of Directors may also determine from time to 
time that special circumstances exist that would reasonably justify the 
grant of DSUs to a director as compensation in addition to any regular 

retainer or fee to which the director is entitled. Each DSU represents a 
unit with an underlying value equivalent to the value of one common 
share of the Company and is entitled to accrue common share dividend 
equivalents in the form of additional DSUs at the time dividends are 
paid, subsequent to declaration by Hydro One’s Board of Directors. 

A summary of DSU awards activity under the Directors’ DSU Plan during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below: 

Year ended December 31 (number of DSUs)

DSUs outstanding – beginning

  Granted

  Settled

DSUs outstanding – ending

For the year ended December 31, 2021, an expense of $1 million (2020 – 
$1 million) was recognized in earnings with respect to the Directors' DSU 
Plan. At December 31, 2021, a liability of $3 million (2020 – $2 million) 
related to Directors’ DSUs has been recorded at the closing price of the 
Company's common shares of $32.91. This liability is included in other 
long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. 

2021

65,240

20,888

(5,315)

80,813

2020

52,620

22,481

(9,861)

65,240

Management DSU Plan
Under the Management DSU Plan, eligible executive employees can 
elect to receive a specified proportion of their annual short-term 
incentive in a notional account of DSUs in lieu of cash. Each DSU 
represents a unit with an underlying value equivalent to the value of 
one common share of the Company and is entitled to accrue common 
share dividend equivalents in the form of additional DSUs at the 
time dividends are paid, subsequent to declaration by Hydro One’s 
Board of Directors. 

A summary of DSU awards activity under the Management DSU Plan during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below: 

Year ended December 31 (number of DSUs)

DSUs outstanding – beginning

  Granted

  Paid

DSUs outstanding – ending

2021

61,880

28,360

—

90,240

2020

52,186

22,132

(12,438)

61,880

For the year ended December 31, 2021, an expense of $1 million 
(2020 – $1 million) was recognized in earnings with respect to the 
Management DSU Plan. At December 31, 2021, a liability of $3 million 
(2020 – $2 million) related to Management DSUs has been recorded 

at the closing price of the Company's common shares of $32.91. This 
liability is included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated 
balance sheets.

95

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Employee Share Ownership Plan
In 2015, Hydro One established Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOP) 
for certain eligible management and non-represented employees 
(Management ESOP) and for certain eligible Society-represented staff 
(Society ESOP). Under the Management ESOP, the eligible management 
and non-represented employees may contribute between 1% and 6% 
of their base salary towards purchasing common shares of Hydro One. 
The Company matches 50% of their contributions, up to a maximum 
Company contribution of $25,000 per calendar year. Under the Society 
ESOP, the eligible Society-represented staff may contribute between 
1% and 4% of their base salary towards purchasing common shares of 
Hydro One. The Company matches 25% of their contributions, with no 
maximum Company contribution per calendar year. In 2021, Company 
contributions made under the ESOP were $2 million (2020 – $2 million).

LTIP
Effective August 31, 2015, the Board of Directors of Hydro One 
adopted an LTIP. Under the LTIP, long-term incentives are granted to 
certain executive and management employees of Hydro One and its 
subsidiaries, and all equity-based awards will be settled in newly issued 
shares of Hydro One from treasury, consistent with the provisions of the 
plan which also permit the participants to surrender a portion of their 
awards to satisfy related withholding taxes requirements. The aggregate 
number of shares issuable under the LTIP shall not exceed 11,900,000 
shares of Hydro One.

The LTIP provides flexibility to award a range of vehicles, including 
Performance Share Units (PSUs), RSUs, stock options, share 
appreciation rights, restricted shares, DSUs, and other share-based 
awards. The mix of vehicles is intended to vary by role to recognize the 
level of executive accountability for overall business performance.

PSUs and RSUs
A summary of PSU and RSU awards activity under the LTIP during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below: 

Year ended December 31 (number of units)

Units outstanding – beginning

  Vested and issued

  Forfeited

  Settled

Units outstanding – ending

 PSUs

 RSUs

2021

111,920

(111,920)

—

—

—

2020

171,344

(52,627)

(6,797)

2021

139,730

(104,970)

—

—

(34,760)

111,920

—

2020

206,993

(3,728)

(7,125)

(56,410)

139,730

No awards were granted in 2021 or 2020. The compensation expense related to the PSU and RSU awards recognized by the Company during 2021 
was less than $1 million (2020 – $3 million). 

Society RSU Plan
As a result of the renewal of the Company's prior collective agreement 
with members of the Society, the Company provided equity 
compensation in the form of RSUs to certain eligible members. The 
equity compensation provides for the purchase of common shares of 
Hydro One from the open market, effective March 1, 2021 in one equity 
grant vesting in equal portions over a two-year period. To be eligible, an 
employee must be an employee of the Company as of July 30, 2021, the 

date the plan was ratified by the Society; the grant date. The number of 
common shares issued to each eligible employee will be equal to 1.0% 
of such eligible employee’s salary as at April 1, 2021, divided by $30.80, 
being the price of the common shares of Hydro One at the grant date. 
Each RSU is entitled to accrue common share dividend equivalents in 
the form of additional RSUs at the time dividends are paid, subsequent 
to declaration by Hydro One’s Board of Directors. 

A summary of RSU awards activity under the Society RSU Plan during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below: 

Year ended December 31 (number of RSUs)

RSUs outstanding – beginning

  Granted

RSUs outstanding – ending

2021

—

71,053

71,053

2020

—

—

—

96

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Stock Options
The Company is authorized to grant stock options under its LTIP to 
certain eligible employees. No stock options were granted in 2021 
or 2020. 

The fair value-based method is used to measure compensation 
expense related to stock options and the expense was recognized over 
the vesting period on a straight-line basis. The fair value of the stock 
option awards granted was estimated on the date of grant using a 
Black-Scholes valuation model. 

A summary of stock options activity during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below: 

Stock options outstanding - January 1, 2020
  Exercised1

Stock options outstanding - December 31, 2020
  Exercised1

Stock options outstanding - December 31, 2021 

1  Stock options exercised in 2021 had an aggregate intrinsic value of $1 million (2020 - $2 million).

No compensation expense related to stock options was recognized by the Company during 2021 or 2020. 

Number of Stock 
Options 

Weighted-average 
exercise price

403,550

(294,840)

108,710

(108,710)

—

$  20.66

$  20.66

$  20.66

$  20.66

$ 

  —

97

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021 
28.  NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Total noncontrolling interest consists of noncontrolling interest attributable to B2M LP and NRLP. The following tables show the movements in total 
noncontrolling interest during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Temporary Equity

Equity

Noncontrolling interest – beginning

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

Noncontrolling interest – ending

Year ended December 31, 2020 (millions of dollars)

Noncontrolling interest – beginning

Contributions from sale of noncontrolling interest (Note 4)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

Noncontrolling interest – ending

22

(4)

2

20

Temporary Equity

20

—

—

2

22

72

(10)

6

68

Equity

59

9

(2)

6

72

Total

94

(14)

8

88

Total

79

9

(2)

8

94

B2M LP
On December 16, 2014, transmission assets totalling $526 million 
were transferred from Hydro One Networks to B2M LP. This was 
financed by 60% debt ($316 million) and 40% equity ($210 million). On 
December 17, 2014, the SON acquired a 34.2% equity interest in B2M LP 
for consideration of $72 million, representing the fair value of the equity 
interest acquired. The SON’s initial investment in B2M LP consists of 
$50 million of Class A units and $22 million of Class B units. 

The Class B units have a mandatory put option which requires that upon 
the occurrence of an enforcement event (i.e., an event of default such 
as a debt default by the SON or insolvency event), Hydro One purchase 
the Class B units of B2M LP for net book value on the redemption date. 
The noncontrolling interest relating to the Class B units is classified 
on the consolidated balance sheet as temporary equity because the 
redemption feature is outside the control of the Company. The balance 
of the noncontrolling interest is classified within equity. 

The following tables show the movements in B2M LP noncontrolling interest during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Temporary Equity

Equity

Noncontrolling interest – beginning

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

Noncontrolling interest – ending

22

(4)

2

20

49

(7)

4

46

Year ended December 31, 2020 (millions of dollars)

Temporary Equity

Equity

Noncontrolling interest – beginning

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

Noncontrolling interest – ending

20

—

2

22

47

(2)

4

49

Total

71

(11)

6

66

Total

67

(2)

6

71

NRLP
On September 18, 2019, Hydro One Networks sold to the Six Nations of 
the Grand River Development Corporation and, through a trust, to the 
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation a 25.0% and 0.1%, respectively, 
equity interest in NRLP partnership units for total consideration of 
$12 million, representing the fair value of the equity interest acquired. 
On January 31, 2020, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation 
purchased an additional 19.9% equity interest in NRLP partnership units 

from Hydro One Networks for total cash consideration of $9 million. 
Following this transaction, Hydro One's interest in the equity portion 
of NRLP partnership units was reduced to 55%, with the Six Nations 
of the Grand River Development Corporation and the Mississaugas 
of the Credit First Nation owning 25% and 20%, respectively, of the 
equity interest in NRLP partnership units. The First Nations Partners’ 
noncontrolling interest in NRLP is classified within equity. 

The following table shows the movements in NRLP noncontrolling interest during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Noncontrolling interest – beginning

Contributions from sale of noncontrolling interest (Note 4)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

Noncontrolling interest – ending

98

2021

23

—

(3)

2

22

2020

12

9

—

2

23

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 202129.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Province is a shareholder of Hydro One with approximately 47.2% ownership at December 31, 2021. The IESO, Ontario Power Generation Inc. 
(OPG), Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation (OEFC), and the OEB are related parties to Hydro One because they are controlled or significantly 
influenced by the Ministry of Energy. OCN LP is a joint-venture limited partnership between OPG and a subsidiary of Hydro One. The following is a 
summary of the Company’s related party transactions during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Related Party

Transaction

Province

Dividends paid1

IESO

Power purchased

Revenues for transmission services

Amounts related to electricity rebates

Distribution revenues related to rural rate protection

Distribution revenues related to supply of electricity to remote northern communities

Funding received related to CDM programs

OPG2

Power purchased

Revenues related to provision of services and supply of electricity

Capital contribution received from OPG

Costs related to the purchase of services

OEFC

OEB

Power purchased from power contracts administered by the OEFC

OEB fees

OCN LP3

Investment in OCN LP

2021

297

2,238

1,832

1,065

245

35

1

13

8

3

2

1

8

4

2020

301

2,506

1,717

1,588

242

35

26

6

8

3

3

1

9

2

1  On November 20, 2020 Hydro One redeemed the Preferred Shares held by the Province. See Note 24 – Share Capital. 

2  OPG has provided a $32.5 million guarantee to Hydro One related to the OCN Guarantee. See Note 32 – Commitments for details related to the OCN Guarantee.

3  OCN LP owns and operates electric vehicle fast charging stations across Ontario, under the Ivy Charging Network brand.

Sales to and purchases from related parties are based on the requirements of the OEB’s Affiliate Relationships Code. Outstanding balances at 
period end are interest-free and settled in cash. Invoices are issued monthly, and amounts are due and paid on a monthly basis. 

30.  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
The changes in non-cash balances related to operations consist of the following:

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Accounts receivable 

Due from related parties

Materials and supplies (Note 10)

Prepaid expenses and other assets (Note 10)

Other long-term assets (Note 14)

Accounts payable

Accrued liabilities (Note 15)

Due to related parties

Accrued interest (Note 15)

Long-term accounts payable and other long-term liabilities (Note 16)

Post-retirement and post-employment benefit liability

2021

2020

18

42

1

(2)

(4)

(3)

53

(63)

6

2

50

100

12

89

—

(9)

(1)

37

(62)

27

14

1

72

180

99

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Capital Expenditures
The following tables reconcile investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and the amounts presented in the consolidated 
statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The reconciling items include net change in accruals and 
capitalized depreciation. 

Year ended December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Capital investments

Reconciling items

Cash outflow for capital expenditures

Year ended December 31, 2020 (millions of dollars)

Capital investments

Reconciling items

Cash outflow for capital expenditures

Property, Plant and 
Equipment

Intangible Assets

(1,983)

55

(1,928)

(142)

(1)

(143)

Property, Plant and 
Equipment

Intangible Assets

(1,751)

33

(1,718)

(127)

1

(126)

Total

(2,125)

54

(2,071)

Total

(1,878)

34

(1,844)

Capital Contributions 
Hydro One enters into contracts governed by the OEB Transmission 
System Code when a transmission customer requests a new or 
upgraded transmission connection. The customer is required to make 
a capital contribution to Hydro One based on the shortfall between the 
present value of the costs of the connection facility and the present 
value of revenues. The present value of revenues is based on an 
estimate of load forecast for the period of the contract with Hydro One. 

Once the connection facility is commissioned, in accordance with the 
OEB Transmission System Code, Hydro One will periodically reassess 
the estimated load forecast which will lead to a decrease, or an 
increase in the capital contributions from the customer. The increase 
or decrease in capital contributions is recorded directly to property, 
plant and equipment in service. In 2021, there were $14 million capital 
contributions from these assessments (2020 – $nil). 

Supplementary Information 

Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Net interest paid

Income taxes paid

31.  CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings
Hydro One is involved in various lawsuits and claims in the normal 
course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of 
such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s 
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

Transfer of Assets
The transfer orders by which the Company acquired certain of Ontario 
Hydro’s businesses as of April 1, 1999 did not transfer title to some 
assets located on Reserves (as defined in the Indian Act (Canada)). 
Currently, the OEFC holds these assets. Under the terms of the transfer 
orders, the Company is required to manage these assets until it has 
obtained all consents necessary to complete the transfer of title of 

2021

506

20

2020

493

30

these assets to itself. The Company cannot predict the aggregate 
amount that it may have to pay, either on an annual or one-time 
basis, to obtain the required consents. In 2021, the Company paid 
approximately $2 million (2020 – $2 million) in respect of consents 
obtained. If the Company cannot obtain the required consents, the 
OEFC will continue to hold these assets for an indefinite period of 
time. If the Company cannot reach a satisfactory settlement, it may 
have to relocate these assets to other locations at a cost that could 
be substantial or, in a limited number of cases, to abandon a line and 
replace it with diesel-generation facilities. The costs relating to these 
assets could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results 
of operations if the Company is not able to recover them in future 
rate orders. 

100

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 202132.  COMMITMENTS
The following table presents a summary of Hydro One’s commitments under outsourcing and other agreements due in the next five years 
and thereafter: 

As at December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Outsourcing and other agreements

Long-term software/meter agreement

Year 1

120

2

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Thereafter

57

1

17

2

3

1

2

1

15

5

Outsourcing and Other Agreements 
Hydro One had an agreement with Inergi for the provision of IT and 
back-office outsourcing services, including supply chain, finance and 
accounting and payroll services. The agreement expired on February 
28, 2021 for IT services and October 31, 2021 for supply chain services. 
The provision of finance and accounting and payroll services under the 
Inergi contract terminated on December 31, 2021. A new agreement 
with Inergi was entered into for the provision of management oversight 
of the payroll employees transferred to Hydro One for a one-year period 
effective January 1, 2022. In February 2021, Hydro One entered into a 
three-year agreement for IT services with Capgemini Canada Inc., which 
expires on February 29, 2024, and includes an option to extend for two 
additional one-year terms at Hydro One’s discretion. This agreement 
resulted in commitments of $143 million over the initial three-year term 
of the agreement. On September 30, 2020, Hydro One entered into an 
agreement  

with Ceridian Canada Ltd. to provide pay operations services for a  
five-year term which is expected to commence in 2023.

BGIS provides services to Hydro One, including facilities management 
and execution of certain capital projects as deemed required by 
the Company. The agreement with BGIS for these services expires 
in December 2024, with an option for the Company to renew the 
agreement for an additional term of three years. 

Long-term Software/Meter Agreement
Trilliant Holdings Inc. and Trilliant Networks (Canada) Inc. (collectively 
Trilliant) provide services to Hydro One for the supply, maintenance and 
support services for smart meters and related hardware and software, 
including additional software licences, as well as certain professional 
services. The agreement with Trilliant for these services expires in 
December 2030. 

Other Commitments
The following table presents a summary of Hydro One’s other commercial commitments by year of expiry in the next five years and thereafter: 

As at December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Operating Credit Facilities1

Letters of credit2

Guarantees3

Year 1

—

182

517

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

—

2

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Year 5

2,550

—

—

Thereafter

—

—

—

1  On June 1, 2021, the maturity date for the Operating Credit Facilities was extended to 2026. 

2  Letters of credit consist of $160 million letters of credit related to retirement compensation arrangements, a $17 million letter of credit provided to the IESO for prudential support, 

$4 million in letters of credit to satisfy debt service reserve requirements, and $3 million in letters of credit for various operating purposes.

3  Guarantees consist of $475 million prudential support provided to the IESO by Hydro One Inc. on behalf of its subsidiaries, and guarantees provided by Hydro One to the Minister of 
Natural Resources (Canada) and ONroute of $7 million and $30 million respectively, relating to OCN LP (OCN Guarantee) and $5 million relating to Aux Energy Inc., the Company's 
indirect subsidiary. OPG has provided a $32.5 million guarantee to Hydro One related to the OCN Guarantee.

Prudential Support
Purchasers of electricity in Ontario, through the IESO, are required 
to provide security to mitigate the risk of their default based on 
their expected activity in the market. The IESO could draw on these 
guarantees and/or letters of credit if these purchasers fail to make a 
payment required by a default notice issued by the IESO. The maximum 
potential payment is the face value of any letters of credit plus the 
amount of the parental guarantees. 

Retirement Compensation Arrangements
Bank letters of credit have been issued to provide security for 
Hydro One Inc.’s liability under the terms of a trust fund established 
pursuant to the supplementary pension plan for eligible employees 
of Hydro One Inc. The supplementary pension plan trustee is required 
to draw upon these letters of credit if Hydro One Inc. is in default of 
its obligations under the terms of this plan. Such obligations include 
the requirement to provide the trustee with an annual actuarial report 
as well as letters of credit sufficient to secure Hydro One Inc.’s liability 
under the plan, to pay benefits payable under the plan and to pay the 
letter of credit fee. The maximum potential payment is the face value of 
the letters of credit. 

101

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 202133.  SEGMENTED REPORTING
Hydro One has three reportable segments: 

 ● The Transmission Segment, which comprises the transmission 
of high voltage electricity across the province, interconnecting 
local distribution companies and certain large directly connected 
industrial customers throughout the Ontario electricity grid; 

 ● The Distribution Segment, which comprises the delivery of electricity 

to end customers and certain other municipal electricity  
distributors; and 

 ● Other Segment, which includes certain corporate activities, 

investments including a joint venture that owns and operates 
electric vehicle fast charging stations across Ontario under the 
Ivy Charging Network brand, and the operations of the Company’s 
telecommunications business. The Other Segment includes 

a portion of the DTA which arose from the revaluation of the 
tax bases of Hydro One’s assets to fair market value when the 
Company transitioned from the provincial payments in lieu of tax 
regime to the federal tax regime at the time of Hydro One’s initial 
public offering in 2015. This DTA is not required to be shared with 
ratepayers, the Company considers it to not be part of the regulated 
transmission and distribution segment assets, and it is included in 
the other segment.

The designation of segments has been based on a combination of 
regulatory status and the nature of the services provided. Operating 
segments of the Company are determined based on information used 
by the chief operating decision-maker in deciding how to allocate 
resources and evaluate the performance of each of the segments. The 
Company evaluates segment performance based on income before 
financing charges and income tax expense from continuing operations 
(excluding certain allocated corporate governance costs). 

Year ended December 31, 2021 (millions of dollars)

Transmission

Distribution

Other

Consolidated

Revenues

Purchased power

Operation, maintenance and administration

Depreciation, amortization and asset removal costs

Income (loss) before financing charges and income tax expense

Capital investments

1,824

—

397

485

942

1,320

5,359

3,579

658

428

694

787

42

—

57

9

(24)

18

7,225

3,579

1,112

922

1,612

2,125

Year ended December 31, 2020 (millions of dollars)

Transmission

Distribution

Other

Consolidated

Revenues

Purchased power

Operation, maintenance and administration

Depreciation, amortization and asset removal costs

Income (loss) before financing charges and income tax expense

Capital investments

Total Assets by Segment:

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Transmission

Distribution

Other

Total assets

Total Goodwill by Segment:

As at December 31 (millions of dollars)

Transmission

Distribution (Note 4)

Total goodwill

1,740

—

391

459

890

1,157

5,507

3,854

619

41

617

712

43

—

60

8

(25)

9

2021

18,138

11,487

758

30,383

2021

157

216

373

7,290

3,854

1,070

884

1,482

1,878

2020

17,761

11,387

1,146

30,294

2020

157

216

373

All revenues, assets and substantially all costs, as the case may be, are earned, held or incurred in Canada. 

34.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Dividends
On February 24, 2022, common share dividends of $159 million ($0.2663 per common share) were declared. 

102

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsHydro One Limited Annual Report 2021Corporate and Shareholder Information

Corporate Office
483 Bay Street, South Tower
Toronto, ON  M5G 2P5
1.416.345.5000

www.HydroOne.com

Customer Inquiries
Customer Service: 1.888.664.9376 

Report an Emergency (24 hours): 
1.800.434.1235

Shareholder Services
If you are a registered shareholder and 
have inquiries regarding your account, 
wish to change your name or address, or 
have questions about dividends, duplicate 
mailings, lost stock certificates, share 
transfers or estate settlements, contact our 
transfer agent and registrar:

Computershare Trust Company of Canada
100 University Avenue, 8th Floor
Toronto, ON  M5J 2Y1
1.514.982.7555 or 1.800.564.6253
service@computershare.com

Institutional Investors and Analysts
Institutional investors, securities analysts 
and others requiring additional financial 
information can visit www.HydroOne.com/
Investors or contact us at: 1.416.345.6867
Investor.Relations@HydroOne.com or
Omar.Javed@HydroOne.com 

Media Inquiries
1.416.345.6868 or 1.877.506.7584
Media.Relations@HydroOne.com

Sustainability
Hydro One is committed to continuing to 
grow responsibly and we focus our social 
and environmental sustainability efforts 
where we can make the most meaningful 
impacts on both. To learn more, visit 
www.HydroOne.com/Sustainability 
or email Sustainability@HydroOne.com

Stock Exchange Listing
Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX): H
(CUSIP #448811208)

Independent Auditors
KPMG LLP

Equity Index Inclusions
Dow Jones Select Utilities (Canada) Index 
FTSE All-World Index Series 
MSCI World (Canada) Index 
S&P/TSX Composite Index 
S&P/TSX Utilities Index
S&P/TSX 60 Index 
S&P/TSX Composite Dividend Index 
S&P/TSX Composite Low Volatility Index 
S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index 

Debt Securities
For details of the public debt securities of 
Hydro One and its subsidiaries, please refer 
to the “Debt Information” section under
www.HydroOne.com/Investors.

Online Information
Hydro One is committed to open and full 
financial disclosure and best practices 
in corporate governance. We invite you 
to visit the Investor Relations section of 
www.HydroOne.com/Investors where you 
will find additional information about our 
business, including events and presentations, 
news releases, regulatory filings, governance 
practices, sustainability and our continuous 
disclosure materials, including quarterly 
financial releases, annual information forms 
and management information circulars. 
You may also subscribe to our news by email 
to automatically receive Hydro One news 
releases electronically.

Common Share Dividend Information
2022 Expected Dividend Dates

Declaration Date

Record Date

Payment Date

February 24, 2022  March 16, 2022

March 31, 2022

May 4, 2022

June 8, 2022

June 30, 2022

August 8, 2022

September 14, 2022 September 29, 2022

November 10, 2022  December 14, 2022  December 31, 2022

Unless indicated otherwise, all common share 
dividends paid by Hydro One are designated 
as “eligible” dividends for the purposes of 
the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar 
provincial legislation. 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP)
Hydro One offers a convenient dividend 
reinvestment program for eligible 
shareholders to purchase additional 
Hydro One shares by reinvesting their 
cash dividends without incurring 
brokerage or administration fees. For 
plan information and enrolment materials 
or to learn more about the Hydro One 
DRIP, visit www.HydroOne.com/DRIP or 
Computershare Trust Company of Canada at 
www.InvestorCentre.com/HydroOne. 

Regulatory Stakeholders

Hydro One is committed to 
maintaining and enhancing 
constructive long-term relationships 
with its regulatory stakeholders.

Provincial Government,
Ministry of Energy
Policy, legislation, regulations

Ontario Energy Board (OEB)
Independent electric utility price
and service quality regulation

Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
Wholesale power market rules, intermediary, 
North American reliability standards

Canadian Energy Regulator
Federal regulator, international 
power lines and substations 

North American Electric Reliability 
Corporation (NERC) 
Continent-wide bulk power reliability 
standards, certification, monitoring

Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC)
Northeastern North American grid reliability, 
standards, compliance

For more information, visit 
www.HydroOne.com/Regulatory 

Hydro One Limited  Annual Report  2021 103

Why Invest in Hydro One?

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Utility business in a stable and rate-regulated environment

 Pure-play electric company

 Solid investment grade balance sheet

 Fully independent Board

 Stable and growing dividend 

www.HydroOne.com

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