Emera Loses Bid to Supply Power to Massachusetts Through Atlantic Link
HALIFAX – Emera has lost its bid to supply clean energy to Massachusetts through the Atlantic Link project, which would have involved sending power generated by hydro and wind sources through a subsea cable from Coleson Cove to Plymouth.
“Emera has been advised that its proposal regarding the Atlantic Link subsea transmission project will not at this time proceed to negotiation with Massachusetts electric utilities for a long-term contract,” said president and CEO Chris Huskilson in a release after Thursday’s announcement.
Emera had submitted a proposal to Massachusetts Clean Energy last year but ultimately Eversource and Hydro-Quebec won the competitive bidding process.
As part of its proposal, Emera was planning to build seven wind farms (five in New Brunswick) and have two hydro suppliers. The power would have been transferred from Colson Cove in Saint John to Plymouth, Massachusetts via a 375-mile, high-voltage undersea cable.
It would have delivered 5.69 terawatt hours (TWh) of clean energy annually for a price that remained fixed for 20 years.
Huskilson said there is still merit in the project.
“Connecting New England to new sources of affordable clean energy in Atlantic Canada, along a reliable subsea transmission connection, remains a compelling opportunity that would bring significant value to the market,” he said.
“The project embodies Emera’s strategy of delivering cleaner, affordable energy to customers. Atlantic Link’s proposed delivery point at Plymouth, Massachusetts, which would repurpose infrastructure that currently serves a retiring nuclear plant, is optimal.”
Huskilson said they will continue with the regulatory process despite losing the bid.
“Emera will continue to advance Atlantic Link, including the project’s Presidential Permit application and required approvals from relevant agencies in the United States and Canada, as we assess the outcome of the Massachusetts solicitation and future market opportunities.”
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