CANADA -- Hydro-Québec has secured approval from the Québec government for its Appalaches-Maine Interconnection Line project, a 320â€'kV direct-current line that will supply power to the New England region.
The Appalaches-Maine Interconnection Line project will connect to the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line, which is currently under construction. The interconnection is expected to boost the exchange capacity between Québec and the New England region by 1.2 GW.
Hydro-Québec President and CEO Sophie Brochu said: "Today, we have reached a major milestone in this project, which will have a significant impact in the fight against climate change and generate economic benefits for both Quebecers and our neighbors to the south."
The new interconnection is to supply 9.45 TWh per annum of clean hydropower produced in Québec to Massachusetts for 20 years. Maine will be supplied with 0.5 TWh annually for 20 years by the Appalaches-Maine transmission line.
The line route is 64 miles long, running between Appalaches substation in Saint-Adrien-d'Irlande and a connection point in the Frontenac municipality on the Québec-Maine border. The length of the line route in Maine will be 144 miles.
As the transmission project comes under a transborder initiative, it has to be evaluated by the Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) as well, said Hydro-Québec.
The company expects to commission the Appalaches-Maine Interconnection Line project in 2023, subject to approval from Canada Energy Regulator.
