A 117 km bi-directional, underwater electricity transmission line running between Haldimand County, Ontario and Erie, Pennsylvania, USA has been shelved.

The Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) announced Aug. 2 that developing company  had suspended all project development activities and commercial negotiations on the Lake Erie Connector Project (LEC).

The high voltage direct current (HVDC), underwater electricity transmission line would have delivered 1,000 MW of power directly between Ontario and 13 U.S. Mid-Western and Mid-Atlantic states. The largest electrical market in the world.

The Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council (SN Elected Council) was prepared to enter into a $33 million equity investment deal in the Lake Erie Connector Project that would have created economic benefits for the Six Nations community.

The SNEC as well as the SNGRDC invested considerable efforts in establishing a fit into the project for the Six Nations community that was anticipated to have site work begin in 2023.

The overall aim of the project was to improve the reliability and security of the respective energy grids by maximizing use of existing assets and would have increased market access and the ability to manage energy needs, all without taxpayer subsidies.

In addition, it would have given Ontario the capacity to respond to shifting supply and demand, outages and system planning requirements.

The Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) manages the Six Nations’ economic interests in 20 renewable energy projects and numerous economic development opportunities, in and around the Six Nations territory.

Currently, the SNGRDC’s green energy portfolio is capable of producing over 1,300 MW of renewable energy through its direct or indirect involvement in seven solar, 13 wind project(s). SNGRDC is located on the Six Nations Reserve and employs an average of 140 employees.

_____________________________