Could 2025 be the year of transmission in the US Northeast (i.e., ISO New England Inc. and NYISO)? First and foremost, in March ISO-New England is anticipated to issue its first regional solicitation under the longer-term transmission planning (LTTP) process focused on projects that enable connection of 1.2 GW of onshore wind in Maine and address constraints to the flow of power from northern to southern New England. This procurement aligns with Maine’s Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program which calls for a competitive procurement to support transmission development in Northern Maine to enable the delivery of up to 1,200 MW of onshore wind. In addition, Massachusetts passed legislation in December that authorizes the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to collaborate with other New England states in competitive procurements for clean energy generation and associated transmission. This is understood to include Maine’s Northern Maine program. With the prospect of regional cost sharing for such facilities, participation by other New England states (e.g., Connecticut and Rhode Island?) appears more likely, which further enhances the per unit indirect benefits available (e.g., wholesale price reduction per MWh of energy procured), making such a project more attractive.
Second, with the pace of offshorewind development in the region more uncertain, inter-regional transmission development is a compelling strategy to assist state’s in achieving their looming decarbonization goals. A second 83D procurement similar to that which enabled the development of the New England Clean Energy Connect project is a logical next step after the forthcoming ISO-NE LTTP process. Atlantic Canada provinces are a natural partner for such transmission development given the availability of low-cost renewable resources and the broad-based benefits that such a project can offer participating New England and Atlantic Canada provinces. The recently announced MOU between Hydro-Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, which includes the development of the 2,250 MW Gull Island Hydroelectric project, could significantly strengthen the business case for such transmission as the 12+ TWh from Gull Island seeks alternative markets.