PEI Begins Substantial Interconnection Upgrade Project

PEI Interconnection Upgrade

June 31 2016

Prince Edward Island has begun on one of the largest construction projects in its history — replacing and upgrading undersea electrical connections between PEI and New Brunswick.
The Interconnection Upgrade Project, a joint effort with the federal government, will allow PEI to import electricity from New Brunswick through two new 180 MW submarine cables, overhead transmission lines, substation upgrades and more. The submarine cables will be owned by the province and leased to and operated by Maritime Electric. Project costs have been estimated at between $120 million and $140 million.

When the existing submarine cables were installed nearly 40 years ago, the electricity load was 95 MW. In 2015, it peaked at 262 MW. PEI has no natural energy supply sources and relies on off island sources for cost-effective and reliable energy supply. While the province has developed significant wind energy supply, this supply requires back up for times when there is no wind.

The project offers at least five benefits:
• enabling future electrical growth on PEI
• improving reliability for customers
• reducing reliance on fossil-fueled generation
• creating a secure, reliable connection to the mainland
• providing access to a more economic energy supply

What’s involved

The project requires
• installation of two 180 MW submarine cables between Borden, PEI and Cape Tormentine, NB, (16.5 km) in the Northumberland Strait
• construction of 60 km of new overhead transmission line between Cape Tormentine and Memramcook
• construction of a substation extension at Borden, PEI

The project also includes:
• two landfall sites (where the submarine cable trench is brought ashore)
• two termination sites (for converting submarine cables to overhead transmission lines or substation)
• upgrading of the New Brunswick Power Corporation (NB Power) substation in Memramcook, NB

The first construction phase involves pre-trenching. This process involves a marine excavator called a Starfish and two mechanical marine dredges: one at PEI’s Borden-Carleton site and the other at New Brunswick’s Cape Tormentine site.

On the Cape Tormentine side the Starfish will be used excavate approximately 600 metres from shore into the Northumberland Strait. Once that distance is reached the Starfish will be shipped to the PEI side and the mechanical marine dredge will continue to excavate to the 1.8 km mark offshore.

The Starfish will be in operation for 12 hours daily for excavation. The two mechanical marine dredges will be working 24 hours per day on excavation. This process, expected to take 6-8 weeks, will ensure there are no rock obstructions along the route when the cable is laid in mid October.

The two cables will be installed under the seabed in separate trenches, up to 200 m apart. In water depths of greater than 12 m the cables will be buried at 0.6 m, while in areas of less than 12 m of water the cable will be buried at approximately 2 m. Excavating within the marine environment will involve trenching with excavators in water depths up to 2 m and a trenching remotely operated vehicle (TROV) with a saw cutter for the remaining sections. Exclusion zones around the cables are not planned. There will be no fishing restrictions. Once the cables have been installed, navigation charts will be updated.

The entire project is scheduled for completion in late spring or early summer 2017.

 

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Code Question on Section 24 – Patient Care Areas

    Code Question on Section 24 – Patient Care Areas

    July 14, 2025 The rules for the installation of panelboards, circuits, and bonding in Patient Care Area depends on whether the area is designated as either, Basic Care, Intermediate Care or Critical Care. How are these areas defined? Read More…

  • Ontario’s Institutional Component Drives Non-Residential Construction Intentions in May 2025

    Ontario’s Institutional Component Drives Non-Residential Construction Intentions in May 2025

    July 14, 2025 In May, the total value of building permits issued in Canada rose by $1.4 billion (+12.0%) to reach $13.1 billion. The increase in construction intentions was driven by Ontario’s institutional component (+$1.3 billion). On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of building permits issued in May increased 11.8% from the previous month and was… Read More…

  • Plan Group Partners in Construction of UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital

    Plan Group Partners in Construction of UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital

    July 14, 2025 Plan Group is proud to be a partner in the construction of the UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital. Plan Group will provide work on the project in: Mechanical: Plumbing, HVAC, Controls, Medical GasElectrical: Lighting & Controls, Power Distribution, Emergency Generators, UPSTechnology: Structured Cabling, AV Systems including Digital Signage and IPTV UHN’s 15-storey Surgical… Read More…

  • How Canada Can Equip Workers for a Low-Carbon Future

    How Canada Can Equip Workers for a Low-Carbon Future

    July 14, 2025 The Canadian economy is shifting towards low-carbon industries, and the workforce is shifting with it. New roles are emerging, traditional ones are evolving and the demand for skilled workers is growing fast — particularly in light of the ambitious nation-building agenda the federal government has set out. In the federal Speech from… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • OEL Apprentice Success Project Available Until March 2026

    OEL Apprentice Success Project Available Until March 2026

    July 14, 2025 With renewed funding by Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, the OEL Apprentice Success Project is now available for another year until March 2026. The project is part of OEL’s Employer Engagement Program (EEP) consisting of wage, training, and equipment subsidies for apprentices. These funding opportunities are available to OEL Members and non-Members. For… Read More…

  • EB Horsman Unveils New Mural at Campbell River Branch

    EB Horsman Unveils New Mural at Campbell River Branch

    July 14, 2025 EB Horsman & Son are thrilled to unveil a new mural at their Campbell River branch, painted by the talented Kwakwaka’wakw artist, Adam Lewis. “This stunning piece celebrates Indigenous heritage and our community spirit,” said EB Horsman on LinkedIn. “As we mark 125 years of serving Western Canada and 55 years in… Read More…

  • Glenco Electric Celebrate New Red Seal Team Members

    Glenco Electric Celebrate New Red Seal Team Members

    July 14, 2025 “The Red Seal Journeyman designation is the highest recognition in the trades, and we’re proud to have seen so many of our team members earn it under our watch,” said Glenco Electric on LinkedIn. “At Glenco, we’re big on mentorship and promoting from within. When you combine that with driven, hard-working professionals,… Read More…

  • Canada and Ontario Investing to Improve Energy Efficiency in Province’s Agri-Food Industry

    Canada and Ontario Investing to Improve Energy Efficiency in Province’s Agri-Food Industry

    July 14, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million and launching the third intake of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI) to help farmers implement projects to improve the energy efficiency of their farming operations. To support the province’s plan to protect Ontario, this funding will help local agriculture, agri-food… Read More…