ITC LAKE ERIE CONNECTOR PROJECT

About the Project: The ITC Lake Erie Connector is a proposed 1,000 MW, bi-directional, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) underwater transmission line that would provide the first direct link between Ontario and the largest electrical market in the world – 13 U.S. Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states. The project will connect the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and the U.S. PJM Interconnection (PJM) regional transmission organizations serving these markets. 

Benefits: This project will help deliver more affordable, cost-effective electricity to customers as a result of increased energy trading between these power markets. Each region will have enhanced optionality to manage their energy needs and policy goals and respond to shifting supply/demand conditions, outages, and system planning requirements. The project also will help improve the reliability and security of the respective energy grids. These benefits can be realized through maximized use of existing assets and without taxpayer subsidies.

Developer: This project is being developed by ITC Holdings Corp., the largest independent electricity transmission company in the United States and a subsidiary of Canada-based Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. ITC acquired the rights to develop the Lake Erie Connector project from Lake Erie Power Corp. in June 2014.

Project Status: The Lake Erie Connector project is fully permitted in Canada and the United States. Remaining key milestones include completing project cost refinements and securing favorable transmission service agreements with prospective counterparties. Upon completion of these steps, we expect to begin construction in 2020, complete construction in 2022, and enter commercial operation in 2023.