Technical Description
This project was developed following an ISO New England study which concluded that lower electricity prices were possible if a large supply of lower cost energy sources could be added to the system, and that significant environmental benefits could be achieved if they were renewable. A feasibility study, completed in 2010, found the Northeast Energy Link to be a highly achievable project based on the significant need for new electric transmission, a positive regulatory environment, proven and reliable DC cable and converter station technology, geographic location, and ease of constructability. As such, the proposed project concept includes:
- Direct current (DC) technology that reduces line losses and is more efficient for long-distance electric transmission and underground construction;
- An underground cable (two conductors) extending approximately 230 miles from Orrington, Maine to Tewksbury, Massachusetts;
- Capacity of 1,100 MW at +/-320kV DC;
- AC/DC converter stations on each end;
- AC upgrades north of Orrington to collect renewable energy generated in northern and eastern Maine.
Routing
The preferred project design calls for an underground route from Orrington, Maine to Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Current planning anticipates utilizing existing transportation corridors. Additional evaluations will include termination points, refined routing, material availability, refined cost estimates, procurement processes, and timing.
Timing
The Northeast Energy Link filing in July 2011 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is an important regulatory step for the project.
While the project is in the preliminary stages, significant research has been performed related to customer benefit and the impact the new line would have on the power system. Research, site planning and permitting preparation are planned this year, along with the negotiation of a Transmission Service Agreement with First Wind who would use the line to deliver renewable energy from northern and eastern Maine to the rest of the region.
Siting and permitting work will continue over the next two to three years, followed by an estimated three-year construction period. We expect the project will be completed at the end of 2016.
Our companies are looking to the future and taking a leadership role by moving forward with projects that add cleaner energy sources to the New England electric grid.
Project Partners
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The project is being developed jointly by Bangor Hydro, a subsidiary of Emera, and National Grid. Emera’s core business is the transmission and generation of electricity, with its corporate headquarters in Nova Scotia. Bangor Hydro is an electricity transmission and distribution company serving eastern Maine. Bangor Hydro has recently developed several important transmission projects in Maine, including the Northeast Reliability Interconnect Project.
National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million distribution customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, provides electric transmission service to Vermont, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.
The National Grid/Emera/Bangor Hydro partnership, with its combined transmission development experience and position in key states, offers the best means of delivering this type of project.