ITC wins DOE permit for Lake Erie transmission project
ITC Lake Erie Connector, a unit of ITC Holdings Corp., an independent electricity transmission company, won approval of a Presidential Permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for the ITC Lake Erie Connector transmission line.
A DOE Presidential Permit is required for international border-crossing projects.
The ITC Lake Erie Connector is a proposed 1,000 MW, bi-directional, high-voltage direct current underwater transmission line that would provide the first direct link between the markets of the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator and PJM Interconnection. The project would enable transmission customers to more efficiently access energy, capacity and renewable energy credit opportunities in both markets.
“This is a significant step in our development of the ITC Lake Erie Connector, and we appreciate the DOE’s judicious response to our application,” said Terry Harvill, Ph.D., president, ITC Grid Development. “This project would provide a direct, efficient and controllable path for energy and capacity to flow between the PJM and IESO systems. By facilitating the import and export of energy between the U.S. and Ontario, the line can help optimize renewable resources and satisfy renewable energy requirements in the U.S. In addition, the Lake Erie Connector would help improve the security, reliability and capacity of these energy grids,” said Dr. Harvill.
The DOE Presidential Permit can be viewed on the project website at https://www.itclakeerieconnector.com/.
Remaining milestones in the project this year include receiving additional major permits from Canada’s National Energy Board, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in a joint application, completing project cost refinements and securing favorable transmission service agreements with prospective counterparties, after which ITC would proceed with construction with the goal to place the project in service in late 2020.
