NB Power Officially Launches The International Power Line

Fredericton, NB — NB Power officially launched the construction of the International Power Line with an event taking place in Lepreau, New Brunswick.

The Honourable Shawn Graham, Premier of New Brunswick, the Honourable Jack Keir, Minister of Energy, Mr. David Hay, President and CEO of NB Power and Mr. Rob Bennett, President of Bangor Hydro participated in the announcement.

The 345 kV International Power Line will run 95 kilometres from the existing Point Lepreau terminal to the border of Maine. Its construction is a primary means to enhance the reliable and efficient operation of the transmission grid and improve market development.

"The energy sector has a huge role to play in putting our province on the road to self-sufficiency. The new International Power Line that is being constructed is representative of a number of building blocks of the energy model that we envision for our province. This fits our quest to forge new and improved partnerships with neighbours on the energy front, says the Honourable Shawn Graham, Premier of New Brunswick.

"The International Power Line project will improve system efficiency by reducing losses for delivery of energy for our customers. This supports our overall goal of providing safe and reliable energy to the province of New Brunswick," says David Hay, President and CEO of NB Power.

The IPL Project commenced in April 2001 with applications to construct and operate the line to the National Energy Board and the New Brunswick Department of Environment. Since that date, the project has achieved significant milestones, including a detailed route hearing before the National Energy Board, receiving all Canadian and U.S. regulatory approvals and the commencement of clearing of the right of way.

NB Power, which will construct the line using its own resources supplemented with third-party resources, has partnered with Bangor Hydro for the U.S. portion of the project.

The line is scheduled to be in-service by December 2007, increasing New Brunswick's export capacity from 700MW to 1,000 MW and increasing import capacity from a conditional 100MW to 400MW.

SOURCE: NB Power