New undersea cables still leave P.E.I. short, says Maritime Electric
$68 million on-Island generator required, says P.E.I. utility
The two new undersea cables connecting P.E.I. to the mainland, which were meant to solve the province's electricity needs, will not be enough, says the Island's main electrical utility.
The P.E.I. government lobbied for years to get federal funding for two new undersea cables to bring electricity over from the mainland. Now that funding is in place, Maritime Electric is saying the estimated $140-million project won't necessarily be enough.
A Maritime Electric submission before the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission says the province will still need a new 50 MW diesel generator that will cost $68 million.
The new cables have a higher capacity – 360 MW instead of the current 200 MW – but Maritime Electric says there is a bottleneck in New Brunswick. Its submission to IRAC says energy demand has increased in the Moncton area, much like it has on the Island, and the transmission line bringing power to P.E.I. is maxed out.
IRAC hires consultant
Because of those problems, said Maritime Electric, NB Power won't increase the electricity it's sending to the Island, and Maritime Electric says it hasn't been able to find an answer in Nova Scotia either.
On-Island generation is the next solution, says the utility.
In an unusual move, IRAC has hired an independent energy consultant to review Maritime Electric's plans.
That consultant is being asked to explore other sources of electricity in the region the utility could be tapping into that would be more cost-effective for ratepayers than building a generator. The consultant's report is expected no later than Sept. 16, one day after the public comment period ends on Maritime Electric's submission.