Appalaches-Maine Interconnection
Work update – June 2023
Hydro‑Québec is announcing that work to build the Appalaches–Maine interconnection line will resume in July. With the favorable developments in Maine and the unanimous decision by a jury last April, the main roadblock to the project has been lifted.
This summer, efforts will focus on preparing the site (building access roads). Land clearing will get underway in the fall, and construction work on the 320-kV line, including laying foundations, erecting towers and installing cables, will begin in winter 2024.
Local communities have been informed that the project will be resuming, and we’ll keep them informed on work progress over the coming months.
Talk to usProject overview
The project consists of building a transmission line extending approximately 100 km between Appalaches substation in Saint‑Adrien‑d’Irlande (near Thetford Mines in the Chaudière‑Appalaches region) and a connection point on the Québec–Maine border. The project’s overall aim is to increase the exchange capacity between Québec and New England.
The new 320‑kV direct-current line will connect to the future New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) line, slated for construction in Maine.
In tandem with this project, a new AC-to-DC converter will be installed at Appalaches substation to supply the planned transmission line.
Commissioning is scheduled for 2025.