Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie – Appalaches – Maine Interconnection Power Line Project

The Project

On September 30, 2019, Hydro-Quebec TransÉnergie (HQT) submitted an application to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) to construct and operate an international power line called the Appalaches-Maine Interconnection Power Line Project. 

HQT says this project would promote clean energy generation by exporting surplus hydroelectricity to Massachusetts and Maine, two major markets for HQT. The project consists of building a 100.8 km long line between the Appalaches substation, located in Saint-Adrien-d’Irlande near Thetford Mines in Quebec, and a crossing point for the Canada-US border located in Frontenac, Quebec. The planned interconnection line would deliver up to 1,200 MW to New England power at a voltage of +/- 320 kV.

How International Power Lines are Regulated

The regulation of international power lines is complex. Most electric power lines and facilities fall within provincial jurisdiction. For this project, the Régie de l’énergie du Québec (in French) is the designated provincial regulatory agency.

The Régie de l’énergie du Québec (in French) is responsible to review and approve the technical feasibility, and the economic, social, and environmental issues and impacts of the project. The Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement [in French] conducts a hearing, which is used as part of the environmental analysis by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Quebec [in French] and by the Quebec Council of Ministers. If approved, the construction and operation of the power line will also be regulated by the province of Quebec.

At the federal level, the CER regulates international power lines and electricity exports. When reviewing an application for a power line project, the Commission of the CER considers, among other things, the technical feasibility of the project, its effect on adjacent provinces and its environmental impact, without duplicating the provincial review process.

This map provides an overview of the project.

View larger PDF version [PDF 484 KB]

Source: Hydro-Québec

Electricity Supply & Markets

Since 2012, eastern Canada has been the source of about 70 per cent of Canada’s electricity export volumes. Driven by renewable electricity targets in many U.S. states, exports of Canadian power, especially from Ontario and Quebec, are well positioned to grow. These mandate minimum levels of renewable power in each state’s electricity mix and often do not distinguish between domestic and imported renewable power.

This table shows describes how electricity supply and markets work in Canada. It is divided into two columns. The right hand side is the supply side, and the left hand side is the market side.

Supply	Markets
Canada has excess supply capacity and low prices Canada has ample renewable generation that is attractive to some U.S. markets Hydro generation can benefit from imports when electricity is cheap to build up reservoirs	U.S. is the largest electricity market in the world Some U.S. jurisdictions face difficulty in constructing new generation capacity Distance between Canadian markets (east-west) is large Electricity trade moves north-south

Crown Consultation and Accommodation

The CER has Crown consultation responsibilities as part of project reviews for new pipeline, power line, or offshore renewable energy projects, as well as for activities it regulates throughout the life of a project. For projects where the Commission is the decision-maker, as was the case for this Project, the CER’s intent is to fulfill the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate, as appropriate, through the Commission’s regulatory review process. The Commission has the technical expertise and mandate to consider and address project impacts, including those affecting the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples identified as being potentially affected by the Project application were notified of the Project application and had the opportunity to provide comments to the Commission on the Project and its potential impacts.

Crown consultation

Learn about the CER’s duty to consult with Indigenous peoples who may be affected by a specific project.

Reconciliation

Read about our commitment to ongoing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples based on a recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.

Contact Information