Maritime Link – Emera 500 MW HVDC connection project, Canada

The Maritime Link is a 500 MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission line that will enable clean, renewable energy generated by the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric plant in Newfoundland and Labrador to be transmitted to the North American grid in Nova Scotia.

A full turnkey solution for the HVDC and AC substation technologies that are the heart of the link as well as undersea cable connections spanning the Cabot Strait between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland have been in place and operational since January 15, 2018. This includes two converter stations for the ±200 kV HVDC link, two 230 kV AC substations in Newfoundland, one 345 kV AC substation in Nova Scotia, and two cable transition stations.

The system was the first bipolar HVDC configuration of its kind in the world using proven Voltage Source Converters (VSC) to enhance system reliability, increase redundancy, and reduce losses, as power will continue to flow even if one conductor or converter stops operating. The converter stations are equipped with advanced control and protection systems to ensure power reliability and help protect the link from unexpected disruptions, such as lightning strikes.

The Maritime Link made history on December 8, 2017, by enabling the first electricity exchange between the islands of Newfoundland and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, plugging Newfoundland into the North American grid for the first time.

It ensures abundant clean, renewable power generated in Newfoundland and Labrador can be exported and will help Nova Scotia to meet federal requirements to reduce coal emissions by 50% by 2030. The stabilizing features of the HVDC VSC solution will also help Nova Scotia integrate additional renewables such as wind power and contribute to Canada’s overall emission-reduction efforts.

Video on Youtube here.