Supplying New York with our clean, renewable energy Public consultations on the Hertel–New York interconnection line to begin soon

Hydro-Québec and its U.S. partner, Transmission Developers Inc., today presented the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) project they developed towards New York State’s request for proposals for clean, renewable energy. This project involves the construction of an underground and underwater transmission line spanning approximately 545 km (339 miles) between the Canada–U.S. border and New York City. Designed to connect Hydro-Québec’s power system to the New York grid, the CHPE would significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Downstate New York where, by the end of this year, 85-90% of New York City’s electricity needs will be met by burning fossil fuels.

In Québec, Hydro-Québec plans to build an approximately 60-km long, 400-kilovolt (kV) underground line between Hertel substation in La Prairie and the Canada–U.S border to complete the new interconnection.

The CHPE project has already obtained all required approvals from the American authorities. The line would help avoid 3.9 million tonnes of GHG emissions every year, which is equivalent to removing 44% of cars from the streets of New York City.

“Supplying our neighbors with clean, renewable energy is a source of pride for all Quebecers,” said Hydro-Québec President and CEO Sophie Brochu. “The bid we submitted would allow us to increase our efforts in this regard and to offer our full support to New Yorkers as they strive to reach their decarbonization goals. It would also generate significant economic spinoffs for Québec. Through the consultation we will be launching in the coming weeks, we will ensure that the line route with the least impact is selected.”

Hertel–New York interconnection line project

The Hertel–New York transmission line route has not yet been established. Hydro-Québec has defined a study area of approximately 800 km² that stretches north to Hertel substation, west to Highway 15, south to the Canada–U.S. border and east to the Rivière Richelieu. It crosses the territories of three regional county municipalities (MRCs): Roussillon, Le Haut-Richelieu and Les Jardins-de-Napierville. Inventories, as well as environmental and technical analyses, are currently under way within the area, and Hydro-Québec is already in discussions with several local and regional organizations.

The main impacts on the natural and human environment of an underground line such as Hertel–New York are temporary and mainly associated with construction work. A public consultation will be launched by the end of spring in the three MRCs concerned in order to gather citizens’ comments, answer their questions and obtain additional information about the area. This consultation, together with the ongoing draft-design studies, will serve to determine the line route with the least impact, as well as the mitigation measures that will help keep impacts to a minimum during construction.

Highlights

The Hertel–New York–CHPE interconnection will provide transmission capacity of 1,250-MW.
It will help reduce GHG emissions by approximately 3.9 million tonnes per year.
The interconnection will include a 60-km underground line in Québec and a 545-km underground/underwater line in the State of New York.
An additional converter will be installed at Hertel substation in La Prairie.

Information:

Media relations
Lynn St-Laurent
+1 514 358-5218
St-laurent.lynn@hydroquebec.com