In a significant step towards facilitating clean energy transfer between Canada and the United States, the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) has granted authorization for the construction of the Hertel–New York interconnection line. The line will serve as a crucial link to the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) line, which is presently under construction in the United States.
Due to the international nature of this interconnection, the Hertel–New York line underwent a thorough assessment by the Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator (CER).
The project also received a crucial green light from the Québec government. After a comprehensive 16-month environmental assessment process and successful collaboration between Hydro-Québec and the affected communities, an Order in Council was published, officially authorizing the project.
The Hertel–New York project had already been approved by the Régie de l'énergie du Québec in November 2022. Additionally, it underwent a targeted consultation process by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), which expressed satisfaction with the company's responses to concerns raised by the farming community.
Key Features of the Hertel–New York Interconnection Project include:
- Location: The project involves the construction of a 58-kilometer transmission line between the Hertel substation in La Prairie and an interconnection point at the Rivière Richelieu, located at the Canada–U.S. border.
- Integration: Once completed, this interconnection will link to the CHPE line in the State of New York, construction of which began in December 2022.
- Commissioning: The Hertel–New York interconnection and the CHPE line are scheduled to be commissioned in May 2026.
- Capacity: Together, these two interconnection lines will have a capacity of 1250MW, enabling the transfer of clean hydroelectricity generated by Hydro-Québec to New York City.
