NEW YORK — WSP USA, a leading engineering and environmental professional services consultancy, will provide owner’s engineer and environmental compliance services for the U.S. portion of the Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line project, the largest underground high-voltage transmission project ever developed and constructed in North America.
When completed, the transmission line will enable delivery of 10.4 terawatt hours annually of clean renewable electricity to New York City, helping to meet the city and state’s energy transition goals through a key link to hydropower generation in Canada.
“WSP is a global leader in the lifecycle of project delivery solutions for transmission infrastructure,” said Michael Case, national business line executive for Energy at WSP USA. “As the energy transition unfolds at a rapid pace around the world, our teams provide the critical expertise needed to move from concept through construction and mobilize talent across our diverse teams to meet client needs. With projects like this, WSP is honored to help pave the way for a more sustainable carbon-neutral environment.”
The scope of the project was approved through the New York State Public Service Commission and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Clean Energy Standard. The U.S. portion of the project is comprised of an approximately 339-mile, 400-kilovolt, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system, capable of transmitting 1250 megawatts of clean renewable power.
The transmission line will be constructed underwater or underground from Lake Champlain, down the Hudson River to the Harlem River and into New York City. The transmission line will link Hydro-Québec’s Hertel station in La Prairie, Canada to a converter station in Astoria, Queens, New York. Construction in New York is expected to begin later this year.
The project will also include an HVDC-to-HVAC (high-voltage alternating current) transmission line converter station, and an approximately 3.5-mile, 345 kilovolt HVAC transmission line that will connect to points of interconnection on the existing electric grid in Queens.
WSP will provide the project team with a program management office, as well as technical and administrative coordination, environmental and design reviews, and oversight of construction activities to ensure compliance with all environmental permits, specifications and requirements.
About WSP USA
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 12,000 employees in 200 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com
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