Hydro-Quebec wants to bite into the big apple. After Massachusetts, the state corporation wants to sell electricity to New York State. If the project goes ahead, it could be its biggest blow to date.
The energy producer announced on Wednesday that he and his US partner Transmission Developers are proposing to build a transmission line to partially supply Manhattan and the other boroughs of New York City with a combination of Quebec hydroelectricity and “electricity. renewable ”produced in upstate New York.
According to Hydro-Quebec, its project – called Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) – would deliver nearly 10 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity per year, or about one-fifth of New York City’s consumption.
In its approach, Hydro-Québec relies on the green side of the energy it produces. Her boss, Sophie Brochu, also notes that she wants to “help the State and its metropolis to achieve their ambitious climate goals”. “This clean energy contribution would reduce carbon emissions by approximately 3.9 million metric tons annually, which would be equivalent to removing 44% of cars from the streets of New York,” insists Hydro-Quebec in a press release.
The project has been submitted to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and will likely face competition from other projects submitted by renewable energy producers.
Hydro-Quebec qualifies the potential contract as “extremely important”, but refuses to reveal what revenues it expects that this project will allow it to generate. “We submitted a series of proposals,” explained Lynn St-Laurent, a spokesperson for the crown corporation, in an interview with The Canadian Press, before launching into an exchange: “I will not give you figures. . “
The agency’s decision is expected to be announced during the third quarter and should be followed by a process of consultation and analysis of successful projects. “It is only at that time that we will be able to have a little more clarity on what it will bring,” said Mme St-Laurent.
By way of comparison, the revenues that will be drawn from the contract – described as “historic” – to deliver 9.45 terawatt-hours of hydroelectricity to Massachusetts per year for 20 years are estimated at around US $ 10 billion. The agreement with New York State would span 25 years.
Hydro-Quebec also refused to specify what would be the source of renewable electricity that will be produced in upstate New York, citing confidentiality agreements.
The most populous state in the Northeast has set a target of reducing its pollutant emissions by 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2050, from 1990 levels.
Underground construction
According to the proposal, the transmission line would be entirely underground. “Its route begins at the Canada-US border, at the southern limit of Quebec, then passes under Lake Champlain, the Hudson River and the Harlem River before joining the Astoria substation in Queens, New York”, details Hydro-Quebec. The power line to be built in Quebec will also be underground, assured Mr.me St-Laurent. It will link the Hertel substation, located in La Prairie, to the border. Public consultations will be launched in the coming weeks.
On the American side, the project has received all the authorizations required to proceed. With construction starting this year south of the border, the state-owned company projects that the line could be commissioned in 2025.
Construction could begin later in Quebec without delaying the site since the line would be approximately 60 kilometers compared to 545 km in the United States.
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