Project Overview
The Maine Power Express (“MPE”)
is a 1,000 MW HVDC 150 mile merchant submarine transmission
line that will originate in Wiscasset, Maine, and terminate
at an HVDC converter station situated on the waterfront
in South Boston.
MPE’s northern origination point is strategically located on
a five acre parcel adjacent to a CMP owned 345 kV substation.
This makes up part of the critical electricity transmission
corridor in the state of Maine. The Maine Express will link the vast
potential of renewable energy under development and proposed in
Maine with the ever increasing load of Boston.
Utilizing HVDC, as opposed to traditional AC, technology allows large
volumes of power to be transferred in natural corridors such as waterways
with minimal losses and with maximum control to the system operators.
These lines minimize visual and environmental impacts as well as
eliminating concerns of electromagnetic fields.
MPE has received overwhelming state and local support and identified
as a way to help accomplish Maine’s goal of bringing to market
3,000 MW of wind generation by 2020.
|
|
Key Milestones
|
| Pre-Feasibility Engineering |
| Interconnection Application |
| Real Estate Under Control |
| Public Announcement |
| Public and Governmental Outreach |
| Local and State Support |
| Route Selection |
| Environmental Study |
| ISO-NE System Impact Study |
| Local Federal Regulatory Submissions |
| State Federal Regulatory Submissions |
| Transmission Customer Negotiations |
| Detailed Route Survey |
| ISO-NE Approval |
| Local, State & Federal Approval |
| Project Finance |
| Start Construction |
Facts |
Capacity: 1,000 MW
Cable Type: HVdc submarine
Length: 150 miles (235 km)
Starting Point: Wiscasset, Maine
End Point: Boston, Massachusetts
Converter Station Size: 3 acres
Cable Diameter: 6 inches
Depth cable buried: 3 feet
In Service Date: Q1, 2014
|
|
