BC transmission line takes another underwater step
A feasibility study on the Sea Breeze project, an underwater HVDC line connecting Vancouver Island with the state of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, has been completed, moving plans forward to connect Canada’s grid to that of the Northwestern United States.
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) completed a feasibility study for Sea Breeze Pacific Regional Transmission System Inc, a joint venture between Canada’s Sea Breeze Power Corp and Maine-based Boundless Energy that will see two 550 MW submarine transmission cables crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The proposed $175 million project will add stability to the regional grids on both sides of the international border, say proponents of the project, and building the first line by 2006 – 2007 could reduce the need for new capacity in the region.