Transmission Planning

Here are our current Transmission Development projects:

• Northeast 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
  gchasse@bhe.com

  
  
• Keene Road 345 kV Line Project
  Bangor Hydro is in the development and construction phase of a new 345kV substation adjacent to the existing switching station on the Keene Road in Chester. This substation will create an important new connection to the 345kV transmission line that currently runs through but does not serve our Northern service territory. This new connection will establish a redundant and stronger feed to the Northern division to serve existing customers and support future load growth, as well as new generation sources. The project is planned for completion in 2010.

  For more information on this project, please contact
  Lois Smith, Project Manager
  Bangor Hydro Electric Company
  PO Box 932
  Bangor, ME 04402
  (207) 973-2818
  lsmith@bhe.com

• Line 64 Rebuild
  The Line 64 Rebuild is a proposed 44-mile reconstruction of an existing, 40-year-old 115 kV transmission line in Bangor Hydro’s northern region. This new line will create important redundancy to our Northern territory, and will increase capacity for new generation. The line will replace the existing line in the same physical position, with a similar design. This rebuild project is scheduled to be completed in 2011.

  
  
• Downeast Reliability Project

  
  The Downeast Reliability Project is a proposed 43 mile long, 115kV transmission line extending from Ellsworth to Harrington/Columbia with a new substation in Sullivan and a switching station in Columbia. The project will bring significant improvement in electrical reliability and provides the opportunity for economic growth in the Downeast region.  This project also enables the reconstruction of an existing, aging line as well as the connection of potential renewable electrical generation in the future.  The project is expected to be completed by 2012.

  For more information, please contact
  Steve Sloan, Project Manager
  Contractor for Bangor Hydro Electric Company
  PO Box 932 Bangor, ME 04402 (207) 973-2568 ssloan@bhe.com
  
   
  Download the Downeast Reliability Project brochure here.

• Hancock County Reliability Project
  The Hancock County Reliability Project was placed in service at the end of 2008. This 14-mile, 115 kilovolt transmission line extends from Ellsworth to Trenton and includes a new 115/34.5 substation in 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. The line is largely co-located with existing transmission lines, and existing lines will continue to operate. Bangor Hydro and the contractors working on this project completed this project successfully, which means it was done safely, with no environmental incidents, and was completed on time and on budget. 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 this accomplishment.

  For more information, please contact
  Lisa Martin, Manager of Transmission Development
  Bangor Hydro Electric Company
  Bangor, ME 04402
  (207) 941-6635
  lmartin@bhe.com