The ITC Lake Erie Connector line will interconnect with converter stations situated in Erie, Pennsylvania and Nanticoke, Ontario.
A 345kV AC underground transmission line will connect the Erie converter station to the existing Penelec ErieWest substation.
The second 500 kV AC line will interconnect the Nanticoke converter station to Hydro One Networks’ Nanticoke transformer station.
Upon completion, the ITC Lake Erie Connector line will offer the first direct link between the markets of the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator and PJM Interconnection.
Transmission customers will also be allowed to access energy, capacity, and renewable energy credit opportunities in both markets.
ITC Holdings vice president of international and merchant development Terry Harvill said: "The bi-directional design of this transmission line means that electricity can flow into Ontario from a new route, helping improve the security and reliability of the power grid, and the line also could potentially play a role in emergency grid restoration in the province."
ITC will also file a permit application to the US Department of Energy for securing a Presidential Permit required for international border-crossing projects.
A joint application will also be submitted to the US Army Corps of Engineers and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
ITC expects to secure all state, federal, and provincial permits for the project by the second quarter of 2017. The transmission line is planned to start commercial operation in 2019.
The company will start an open solicitation for the project’s transmission capacity in late June.
Image: The ITC Lake Erie Connector transmission line will interconnect with converter stations situated in Erie, Pennsylvania and Nanticoke, Ontario. Photo: courtesy of tiverylucky/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
