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Maritime Link Transmission Project

The Minister of the Environment has designated this project and the environmental assessment will continue under the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The Maritime Link Transmission Project, as proposed by ENL Maritime Link Inc. (the proponent), involves the construction and operation of a new electrical power transmission system, including a proposed 500-megawatt (MW), +/- 200 to 250-kilovolt high voltage direct current (HVDC) and high voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission line between the Island of Newfoundland and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The scope of the project includes a new overhead HVAC transmission line from the existing substation at Granite Canal, to the Burgeo Highway along approximately 30 kilometres of new right-of-way (RoW) and proceeding 68 kilometres along existing transmission corridor to a proposed converter station at Bottom Brook. From Bottom Brook the new line would proceed along an existing transmission corridor of approximately 135 kilometres to Cape Ray, Newfoundland. The HVDC transmission line would then cross the Cabot Strait via two subsea cables spanning approximately 180 kilometres from Cape Ray, Newfoundland to Point Aconi, Nova Scotia. From Point Aconi the new line would proceed along an existing transmission corridor for approximately 46 kilometres to the existing Woodbine substation in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. A shore grounding system is proposed in the general vicinity of Woodbine, Nova Scotia and Bottom Brook, Newfoundland. The converter station at Woodbine is considered to be the end of the Project where the HVDC will be converted to 345-kilovolt alternating current and integrated into the existing Nova Scotia electricity grid. The main elements of the project include: transmission corridors (HVDC transmission, HVAC transmission, grounding system transmission lines); subsea cables; shore grounding facilities; two converter stations and adjoining substations; two transition compounds (for converting underground subsea cables to overhead transmission conductors); and other potential infrastructure, as required.

An environmental assessment is required in relation to the project because Natural Resources Canada may provide financial assistance to the proponent. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, and Public Works and Government Services Canada are participating as they may also be required to conduct an environmental assessment of the project.

As per the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is responsible for managing the federal environmental assessment process for major resource projects.

 

Latest update

June 21, 2013 - The Decision of Responsible Authorities has been taken.

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  • Location

    • Cabot Strait (Newfoundland and Labrador)
    • Cape Ray Cove (Newfoundland and Labrador)
    • Point Aconi (Nova Scotia)
    • Woodbine (Nova Scotia)

  • Project Type

    • Hydroelectric Energy

  • Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2012-01-19

  • Proponent

    ENL Maritime Link Inc.

  • Authorities

    • Natural Resources Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Screening-type assessment under CEAA 1992

  • Reference Number

    65713
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