Montreal, Québec and Augusta, Maine – June 14, 2018 – Hydro-Québec and Central Maine Power Company (“CMP”) a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE:AGR), jointly announced the successful conclusion of contract negotiations with the Massachusetts electric distribution companies (EDCs) for the New England Clean Energy Connect (“NECEC”) 100 percent hydropower project. The Massachusetts EDCs will next file the agreements with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, pursuant to the Massachusetts 83D Clean Energy Request for Proposals.
“We have made important progress with regard to this ground-breaking 20-year agreement, moving us closer towards decarbonization in the Northeast,” said Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec. “In the coming months we’ll be working closely with Central Maine Power to complete this important new interconnection project which will not only reduce carbon emissions, but will also bring price stability and supply reliability to the region.”
“The conclusion of these negotiations marks a significant step forward for the NECEC and the people of Maine, who will realize lasting economic benefits from this initiative, including new job creation and targeted investments such as expanded broadband access in Western Maine,” said Douglas Herling, President and Chief Executive Officer of Central Maine Power. “We appreciate the Commonwealth’s bold commitment to bringing additional, clean energy resources into our region, which further enhances the decades-long collaboration among our states and the Province of Québec. We will continue to advance the project in Maine, where it has received strong support from host communities, the Governor, the leadership of the State Senate and House of Representatives as well as the business community.”
The contracts with the Massachusetts EDCs provide for the delivery of approximately 9.45 terawatt hours annually of clean, reliable, baseload power for twenty years. The energy will be supplied by Hydro-Québec’s vast hydropower generating fleet, which means greater reliability and less reliance on fossil fuels during extreme winter weather conditions.
Hydro-Québec and AVANGRID are grateful that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its electric distribution companies are taking this important leap towards a cleaner energy future. We look forward to the next steps in the review and approval process.
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About Hydro-Québec: Hydro-Québec generates, transmits and distributes electricity. It is Canada’s largest electricity producer and is among the world’s largest hydropower producers. Its sole shareholder is the Québec government. It uses almost exclusively renewable generating options, in particular hydropower, and supports the development of other sources of energy, such as wind and biomass, through purchases from independent power producers. Its research institute, IREQ, conducts R&D in energy efficiency, energy storage and other energy-related fields. Hydro-Québec invests $130 million in research every year.
About Central Maine Power: Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE:AGR), is Maine’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. Established in 1899, CMP operates approximately 23,500 miles of distribution lines and 2,900 miles of transmission lines. It serves approximately 624,000 customers across 346 communities in central and southern Maine. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.
About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with $31 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.2 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates 7.1 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, with a presence in 22 states across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,500 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, received a Climate Development Project climate score of “A-,” the top score received in the utilities sector, and has been recognized for two consecutive years by Ethical Boardroom as the North American utility with the “best corporate governance practices.” For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.
Media Contacts:
Hydro-Québec media relations 514 289-5005
New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) inquiries 207 458-9889