Canadians eye green New England

Boralex, Gaz Métro and Hydro Québec have submitted a proposal to supply green power to Massachusetts as part of a call for tenders by the US state.

The Canadians’ proposal would supply a mix of hydro and wind power to Massachusetts.

It would result in a 300MW wind farm being built by Boralex and Gaz Metro as the fourth phase of the Seigneurie de Beaupré complex.

Massachusetts electric distribution companies launched a request for proposals (RFP) earlier this year for the procurement of clean power to meet a target of an additional 9.45 terrawatt hours of renewable electricity by 2022.

Hydro Québec has also put forward a proposal to supply 100% hydropower to Massachusetts under the RFP.

Hydro Québec chief executive Éric Martel said: “Massachusetts is leading the way in New England’s energy transition.

“Our hydropower can be the foundation to reduce the overall price of electricity for the people of Massachusetts and help the state integrate more renewable sources onto its grid.”

Canadia Wind Energy Association vice president Jean-François Nolet said: “Developing these projects required major investments from participating firms, which goes to show how seriously the process is being taken.

“If any of these projects are contracted, Quebec and host communities would see major benefits.”

A separate proposal by Emera would result in the construction of the 1GW Atlantic Link project to transport 5.69TWh of Canadian renewable energy to Massachusetts.  

The Atlantic Link would be an approximately 375-mile HVDC interconnection between Coleson Cove, New Brunswick and Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The link would be 65% utilised under the proposal, which would allow Massachusetts to increase clean energy purchases from the broader region over time, Emera said.

The project has initiated necessary permit approval processes in the US and Canada, and is proposed to be in-service by December 2022.

It would supply 70% wind power, with remainder made of hydro power, the company said.

The projects will now undergo evaluation, which will continue until January 2018.

Image: Seigneurie de Beaupré wind farm (Boralex)