Emera Selects Atlantic Canadian Energy Suppliers for Proposed Atlantic Link Transmission Project to Massachusetts

Emera Selects Atlantic Canadian Energy Suppliers for Proposed Atlantic Link Transmission Project to Massachusetts

July 27th, 2017
Agreements for almost 1,200 MW of wind in NB and NS, firmed by hydro from NL and NB

BOSTON, MA (July 27, 2017) – Emera Inc. has formally proposed construction of the Atlantic Link project, a new 1,000 megawatt (MW) subsea transmission line directly connecting Atlantic Canada to the Boston load center. The Atlantic Link will deliver reliable and cost-effective, clean energy to Massachusetts from seven proposed wind farms and two hydro suppliers in Atlantic Canada.

Atlantic Link is an approximately 375-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnection between Coleson Cove, New Brunswick and Plymouth, Massachusetts. The project has initiated necessary permit approval processes in the United States and Canada, and is proposed to be in-service by December 2022. The proposal for Atlantic Link, including the clean energy to be delivered on the transmission line, is in response to the Massachusetts Clean Energy RFP.

Energy suppliers for Atlantic Link were selected via a robust, competitive Open Solicitation process that was initiated by Emera in January 2017. That process was overseen by an independent administrator, Power Advisory LLC. Commercial agreements are now in place with the selected wind and hydro suppliers were selected through the Open Solicitation process.

Atlantic Link’s energy supply includes almost 1,200 MW of capacity from five wind farms to be built by independent developers in New Brunswick (total 891.25 MW), and two wind farms to be built by independent developers in Nova Scotia (total 303.4 MW).

WIND
  • Salmon River wind farm (N.B.), developers Natural Forces Wind Inc. & Enercon Canada Inc. (capacity of 403.2 MW)
  • Yorkshire wind farm (N.S.), developer EDF EN Canada Inc.. (capacity of 156 MW)
  • Black Spruce wind farm (N.B.), developers SWEB Development Inc. & Black & McDonald Limited (capacity of 151.2 MW)
  • Higgins Mountain II wind farm (N.S.), developers Elemental Energy Inc., Katalyst Wind Inc., 3G Energy Corp. (capacity of 148.2 MW)
  • Colborne wind farm (N.B.), developer Renewable Energy Systems Canada Inc. (capacity of 147.6 MW)
  • Silver Brook wind farm (N.B.), developer Renewable Energy Systems Canada Inc. (capacity of 129.6 MW)
  • Andy’s Pond wind farm (N.B.), developers Natural Forces Wind Inc. & Enercon Canada Inc. (capacity of 58.8 MW)
HYDRO
  • Nalcor Energy, Newfoundland & Labrador – 1.10 TWh annually of hydro energy
  • NB Power – 0.46 TWh annually of hydro energy

The Atlantic Link proposal is being made as Emera completes construction this year of a 500 MW subsea cable between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

With Atlantic Link, Emera is offering to deliver 5.69 terawatt hours (TWh) of clean energy a year directly to Massachusetts for a delivered price that remains fixed for 20 years.

“We are pleased to bring this opportunity forward to help Massachusetts meet its energy diversity and greenhouse gas emissions reduction objectives. This project also benefits Atlantic Canada and Massachusetts in terms of construction related jobs and increased economic activity”.
Chris Huskilson, President and CEO of Emera Inc.

“The fixed pricing for the supply of long term clean energy represents compelling value for Massachusetts electricity customers,” said Chris Huskilson, President and CEO of Emera Inc. “We are pleased to bring this opportunity forward to help Massachusetts meet its energy diversity and greenhouse gas emissions reduction objectives. This project also benefits Atlantic Canada and Massachusetts in terms of construction related jobs and increased economic activity.”

Under the Massachusetts Clean Energy RFP, the state’s electric utilities have called for approximately 9.45 terawatt hours of wind and/or hydro energy. Review of proposals submitted to the Massachusetts electric utilities will occur over the coming months, with a decision expected by January 2018. More information is posted at the RFP Web site.

Atlantic Link is 100% owned by Emera subsidiary Clean Power Northeast Development. NB Power holds an option to participate in the Atlantic Link project as a minority investor.

About Atlantic Link

Atlantic Link is a 1,000-megawatt (MW) high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea transmission line to deliver clean energy from Atlantic Canada to Massachusetts. The project includes a new converter station and substation to be constructed at the landing site in Plymouth, Massachusetts as well as similar facilities at the cable’s origination point at Coleson Cove, New Brunswick. Virtually the entire length of the new approximately 375-mile transmission interconnection will be installed underwater. Atlantic Link is being developed by Emera Inc. subsidiary Clean Power Northeast Development. The project web site is www.atlanticlink.com.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking information requires Emera to make assumptions and is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements reflect Emera management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to Emera management. There is a risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions and projections that constitute forward-looking information will not prove to be accurate, that Emera’s assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking information. Additional detailed information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is included in Emera’s securities regulatory filings, including under the heading “Business Risks and Risk Management” in Emera’s annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and under the heading “Principal Risks and Uncertainties” in the notes to Emera’s annual and interim financial statements, which can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Emera Inc.

Emera Inc. is a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia with approximately CDN $29 billion in assets and 2016 revenues of more than CDN $4 billion. The company invests in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, gas transmission and distribution, and utility energy services with a strategic focus on transformation from high carbon to low carbon energy sources. Emera has investments throughout North America, and in four Caribbean countries. Emera continues to target having 75-85% of its adjusted earnings come from rate-regulated businesses. Emera’s common and preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade respectively under the symbol EMA, EMA.PR.A, EMA.PR.B, EMA.PR.C, EMA.PR.E, and EMA.PR.F. Depositary receipts representing common shares of Emera are listed on the Barbados Stock Exchange under the symbol EMABDR. Additional Information can be accessed at www.emera.com or at www.sedar.com.

For more information, please contact:

Media inquiries:
Stacey Pineau, (902) 471-4497
Stacey.pineau@emera.com

Project information:
Robin McAdam, (902) 428-6604
robin.mcadam@emera.com

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