The Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), a 339-mile transmission line linking Canadian hydropower resources with New York City, has entered operation and is now delivering electricity to the city grid.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the project, describing it as one of the state’s largest transmission infrastructure investments in the past 50 years. The line is expected to supply 10.4TWh of electricity annually to the New York metropolitan area, meeting up to 20% of New York City’s electricity demand and reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 37 million metric tonnes by 2040.
“The Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line is one of the first projects I championed as Governor, and is a game changer when it comes to keeping the lights on, helping build a cleaner future and holding costs down,” Governor Hochul said. “With its completion, we are powering 1 million New York City homes with needed clean energy that will serve communities for generations to come. This project is further proof that despite the unprecedented federal headwinds we are facing, New York will remain a national climate and clean energy leader into the future.”
The 1250MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line runs from Montreal, Quebec, to the Astoria Energy Complex in Queens, New York. Developed by Transmission Developers Inc (TDI) in partnership with Hydro-Québec, the project was contracted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) following its selection in the state’s Tier 4 procurement in 2021. Construction began in 2022.
CHPE is designed to deliver firm hydropower and renewable electricity from Canada into one of North America’s largest urban load centres. State officials said the project will help offset generation lost following the closure of the Indian Point nuclear power plant and reduce dependence on gas-fired generation in the New York City region.
The transmission line is the longest fully buried transmission project in North America, with cables installed underground and underwater along most of its route. It connects to the grid through the expanded New York Power Authority Astoria Annex substation. NYPA also worked with TDI on the construction of the nearly four-mile Astoria Rainey Cable, which links the Astoria Annex to Con Edison’s Rainey substation.
According to NYSERDA, the project is expected to generate more than US$3.4bn in economic investment over its 25-year contract term and has supported more than 1,400 construction and operations jobs across New York State. A US$40m Green Economy Fund associated with the project has also begun providing grants to organisations focused on workforce development and disadvantaged communities.
Hydro-Québec President and Chief Executive Officer Claudine Bouchard said: “CHPE illustrates how complex infrastructure can be delivered through sustained collaboration and shared expertise. More importantly, it highlights the growing role of interconnected transmission grids in enhancing system reliability and resilience. By linking energy resources across borders, projects like this help lay the foundation for the next generation of energy systems.”
CHPE forms part of New York State’s broader strategy to expand transmission capacity and integrate low-carbon generation sources, with hydropower expected to play an increasing role in providing firm, dispatchable electricity alongside variable renewable energy sources
