Canadian energy services company, Emera has announced a proposal to construct the Atlantic Link project, a 1GW subsea transmission line that directly connects Atlantic Canada to the Boston load center.

The Atlantic Link project could help in transmitting of renewable energy produced from seven proposed wind farms and two hydro suppliers in Atlantic Canada, to the US state of Massachusetts. 

The transmission line will be a 375-mile, high voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnection between Coleson Cove, New Brunswick and Plymouth, Massachusetts near the retiring Pilgrim nuclear station.

The Atlantic Link proposal has been made in response to the Massachusetts Clean Energy RFP. 

Emera claims that Atlantic Link can deliver 5.69TWh of clean energy annually to Massachusetts for a fixed price that stays in place for 20 years. The project will enable Masschusetts to increase its clean energy purchases from several other regions over time.

It will allow the state to optimise power flows between South East Massachusetts (SEMA) and Atlantic Canada. 

Apart from the subsea cable, the project will include construction of HVDC converter facilities and substations in Plymouth and at Coleson Cove. The project is expected to come into service by December 2022, subject to required permit approvals in the US and Canada.

Emera president and CEO Chris Huskilson said: “The fixed pricing for the supply of long term clean energy represents compelling value for Massachusetts electricity customers.

“We are pleased to bring this opportunity forward to help Massachusetts meet its energy diversity and greenhouse gas emissions reduction objectives. This project also benefits Massachusetts and Atlantic Canada in terms of construction related jobs and increased economic activity.”


Image: Emera submits bid to construct 1GW Atlantic Link. Photo: Courtesy of Spencer Jarvis/FreeImages.com.