Hydro-Quebec has just unveiled the route chosen for its new Hertel-New York underground line, which will supply New York City with hydroelectricity produced in Quebec. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2023 and the line will be in operation from 2025.
In total, eight municipalities will be affected by this project, namely La Prairie, Saint-Philippe, Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur, Saint-Édouard, Saint-Patrice-de-Sherrington, Saint-Cyprien-de-Napierville, Saint-Bernard -de-Lacolle and Lacolle.
In its Quebec portion, the route chosen by Hydro-Québec includes an underground segment of 56.1 km and a submarine segment of 1.6 km. The majority of the route taken by this line is located in public rights-of-way. The route runs along the right-of-way of Highway 15 for nearly 24 km and the right-of-way of provincial and municipal roads for 29 km.
Description of the route
From Hertel substation, located in La Prairie, the route follows rang Saint-Raphaël, rang Saint-Claude, Montée Signer, Rang Saint-Marc, Route Édouard-VII and Montée Saint-Jacques, in the municipalities of Saint-Philippe and Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur.
It then crosses farmland and Hydro-Québec properties for a little over 3 km.
The last section of the route runs along Fairbanks Creek to the Richelieu River, where the interconnection point with the American network is located.
Two open days
Hydro-Québec invites the population of the region to meet with its representatives to learn more about this project. Two open house events are organized for this purpose.
The first will take place on December 8, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 10, rue Sainte-Marie, in Lacolle.
The second will take place on December 9, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 263, route Édouard-VII, in Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur.
About the project
This new line will provide 1250 megawatts of hydroelectricity, which is equivalent to the needs of one million households.
This energy will gradually replace fossil fuels, which currently represent more than 85% of electricity supplies in the New York region, recalls Hydro-Quebec. This project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the northeast of the continent by the equivalent of approximately 3.9 million tonnes of CO2 per year, again according to the Crown corporation.
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