St. John’s, NL - North America's longest submarine electricity cable has been successfully laid between the island of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for Emera’s Maritime Link Project. The first of the two cables was safely anchored at Point Aconi, NS, on May 14, 2017; completing the installation by Emera NL’s subsea contractor, Nexans, S.A., using its specialized vessel, the Skagerrak.

 

Installation of the cable began at Cape Ray, NL, on April 27. Weather and wind conditions were monitored closely during operations, to ensure a safe and secure installation.

 

“This marks a significant milestone for the Maritime Link Project. With the first of two cables between the two provinces installed and anchored, the Maritime Link interconnection is now a reality for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Rick Janega, President and CEO, Emera Newfoundland & Labrador. “We’ll soon be able to transmit electricity directly between the provinces for the first time, allowing improved reliability, carbon reduction and increased renewable energy utilization.”

 

The Project Team is now focused on transferring the second cable to Nexans’ Skagerrak. The second submarine cable arrived onboard a barge, which was transported from Futtsu, Japan, by a heavy lift vessel (HLV). The transfer process, known as transpooling, will take just over two weeks and once completed, the Skagerrak will return to Cape Ray, NL, to repeat the cable laying process. Installation of the second cable is expected to begin in June 2017.

 

Each cable measures approximately 170 km and weighs 5,500 tonnes – combined, the two cables weigh more than the Eiffel Tower. The first cable was manufactured in Halden, Norway, and arrived in Canadian waters in April 2017 onboard the Skagerrak. The second cable arrived in Sydney, NS, onboard the HLV late last week.

 

The first submarine cable was laid on schedule, helping to ensure that electricity is available to flow through a new energy loop created in Atlantic Canada. This energy loop will provide Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador more grid stability and security of supply, creating a more reliable electricity system across the entire northeast region.

 

High resolution photographs and video clips of this latest project activity can be provided upon request.

 

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.

 

The Maritime Link Project is part of a larger strategy to address the growing demand for more renewable energy in the region. It will enable the transmission of clean, renewable and reliable electricity from Newfoundland and Labrador to Nova Scotia.

 

The Maritime Link is a 500 MW high voltage direct current (HVdc) transmission interconnection. The Project includes two 170 km subsea cables across the Cabot Strait, with almost 50 km of overland transmission in Nova Scotia and more than 300 km of overland transmission on the island of Newfoundland.

 

Emera Inc. is a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia with approximately $29 billion in assets and 2016 revenues of more than $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.

 

 

Beverley Ware, Emera Inc., Senior Media Advisor

902-240-9852

 

 

At 170 km in length, these two cables will create the longest submarine electricity connection in North America. As part of the Maritime Link Project, they will provide an electricity connection between the island of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for the very first time. These cables will also help form a new electrical energy loop in Atlantic Canada that will provide greater access to the North American electricity grid.

 

Each submarine cable is:

 

The cables are made up of 14 layers. The centerpiece is a copper conductor.

Each additional layer provides protection, making up about two thirds of the diameter of the cable.