Here are our current Transmission Development projects:
Downeast Reliability Project
The Downeast Reliability Project is a new 43 mile long, 115kV transmission line extending from Ellsworth to Harrington/Columbia with a new substation in Sullivan and switching stations in Ellsworth and Columbia. The project has brought significant improvement in electrical reliability and provides important energy infrastructure to support economic growth in the Downeast region. This project also included the rebuild of an older line and provides a stronger system for the connection of potential renewable electrical generation in the future. The project was completed in December 2012. For more information, please contact:
Steve Sloan, Project Manager Bangor Hydro Electric Company 21 Telcom Drive Bangor, ME 04401 (207) 973-2568 Contact Steve Sloan via email at ssloan@bhe.com
Download the Downeast Reliability Project brochure here
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Northease Energy Link (NEL)
A newly proposed project called the Northeast Energy Link (NEL) would construct two 660 MW DC cable circuits with DC converter stations. The line would be 250 miles long and transmit significant renewable energy into the New England market. In addition, it would lower supply costs in the New England market and attract renewable generation to the New England market while minimize environmental impacts and maintaining or enhance transmission system reliability. NEL would create a major corridor for transmission of Northern Maine and Canadian renewable energy sources
For more information on this project, please contact:
Gerry Chasse, President and Chief Operating Officer Bangor Hydro Electric Company PO Box 932 Bangor, ME 04402 (207) 973-2653 Contact Gerry Chasse via email at gchasse@bhe.com
For more information on our Transmission Development projects, please contact:
Kendra Overlock, Manager of Transmission Development Bangor Hydro Electric Company PO Box 932 Bangor, ME 04402 (207) 973-2895 Contact Kendra Overlock via email at koverloc@bhe.com
Bangor Hydro has completed a series of transmission system upgrades to meet reliability and capacity needs. A few of these projects include:
Northeast Reliability Interconnect (2006) - A new 85-mile, 345 kilovolt transmission line from Orrington to the Canadian border interconnecting with a similar line in New Brunswick. This project established an important redundant international connection and increased power flow capacity. Hancock County Reliability Project (2008) - A new 14-mile, 115 kilovolt transmission line from Ellsworth to Trenton. This project brings a significant improvement to electrical reliability for customers in lower Hancock County by creating a redundant and higher capacity connection to the region. Keene Road 345 kV Substation (2010) - A new 345 kilovolt substation to feed our northern system. This new connection establishes a redundant and stronger feed to the Northern division to serve existing customers and support future load growth. Line 64 Rerate (2011) - A 44-mile reconstruction of an existing, 40-year-old 115 kilovolt transmission line feeding Bangor Hydro's northern region. This new line from Veazie to Chester creates important redundancy to our customers in this region. MDI Reliability Project - The MDI Reliability Project is a combination of local transmission and distribution upgrades to improve service to multiple coastal island communities with a combined load of approximately 30MW. The key objectives of this project are to establish two redundant feeds onto MDI, which would provide a back-up in case one line is out of service. These upgrades are designed to establish a robust on-island network to meet reliability and capacity needs of customers for the next 20 years. Orrington / MPRP Upgrade Project - The Orrington / MPRP Upgrade Project is comprised of three physical upgrades required to accommodate Central Maine Power's (CMP) Maine Power Reliability (MPRP) Project. The Orrington substation is a hub for the transmission system in our service territory, and a primary interface between our system and CMP's. Two additional structures are needed to accept a 345 kV line and a 115 kV line. These two new line terminations are part of the MPRP project. Once constructed, Bangor Hydro has an agreement with CMP to own and operate the line facilities in our service territory. An existing capacitor bank will also be reconfigured. Bangor Hydro is grateful for the support of private landowners and communities that were involved with the project and proud of our workers and business partners who contributed to these accomplishments.
