Appalaches-Maine Interconnection
Project overview
Update on the work
Given the results of the referendum held in Maine in November 2021 on the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project, Hydro-Québec’s U.S. partner has suspended construction in the United States at the request of Maine’s Governor Mills.
In Québec, the overall Appalaches–Maine interconnection project has slowed down, although some work, such as engineering, is still under way. Hydro-Québec has put clearing work and the building of access roads on hold.
See the Press releaseThe 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 2023.