Lucy Pilgrim is an in-house writer for North America Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine,...
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Hitachi Energy is working with Hydro-Québec and Transmission Developers on a new high-voltage transmission link connecting New York City with Canadian hydropower. Having entered commercial operation, it will provide renewable electricity capable of powering one million homes and meeting nearly one-fifth of the city’s energy demand.
New York City has reached a significant milestone in its clean energy transition with the launch of the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), a 1,250-megawatt transmission project designed to deliver renewable hydropower directly from Canada into the heart of the city.
The project has been brought online through a collaboration between Hitachi Energy, Hydro-Québec, and Transmission Developers (TDI), marking the start of commercial operations for one of North America’s most ambitious clean energy infrastructure developments.
By linking New York City directly to Hydro-Québec’s network of more than 60 hydropower stations, CHPE is capable of supplying enough renewable electricity to power approximately one million homes. The transmission line is also expected to satisfy nearly 20 percent of the city’s electricity requirements.
“We partnered with Hitachi Energy from the early stages of CHPE, building a relationship grounded in deep expertise, trusted collaboration, and continuous support. The advanced HVDC Light® technology, combined with strong project execution, has been critical to bringing this project to life,” comments Justin Sauber, CEO of TDI.
“Together, we have delivered a reliable and resilient transmission infrastructure to New York, strengthening energy security, affordability, and progress for the communities we serve.”
At the center of the project is Hitachi Energy’s HVDC Light® technology, a Voltage Source Converter (VSC)-based solution developed to enable efficient long-distance electricity transmission while minimizing environmental impact. Through advanced power electronics, the system enables precise control of voltage and power flow while maintaining exceptionally low transmission losses.
Designed with sustainability and resilience in mind, the transmission infrastructure differs from conventional overhead power lines. The cables have been installed underground and underwater along routes through Lake Champlain and the Hudson and Harlem Rivers, helping to protect landscapes, preserve ecosystems, and improve resistance to extreme weather conditions.
The compact design of the HVDC Light system also allows converter stations and associated infrastructure to be integrated within densely populated urban environments. This supports efforts to reduce grid congestion while ensuring reliable delivery of clean energy where demand is highest.
SUPPORTING DECARBONIZATION GOALS
Environmental benefits are expected to be substantial. CHPE is projected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 3.9 million metric tons annually, an impact comparable to removing 44 percent of New York City’s vehicles from the road.
“CHPE will help transform how New York City is powered, delivering clean electricity across hundreds of miles straight into the city center,” adds Niklas Persson, CEO of Grid Integration Business Unit at Hitachi Energy.
“By transforming a former fossil fuel site in Astoria – long associated with air pollution and respiratory health challenges – this project will help improve local air quality while enhancing New York’s energy infrastructure and ensuring a reliable power supply,”
Niklas Persson, CEO of the Grid Integration Business Unit, Hitachi Energy
By displacing fossil fuel-based power generation, the project will also support New York State’s target of achieving 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030.
The commissioning of CHPE represents a notable achievement for the transmission sector. It is the second HVDC city-center infeed project globally to operate at ±400 kilovolts, following the commissioning of Hitachi Energy’s pioneering project in Mumbai, which was the first installation of its kind at that voltage level.
As urban centers continue to experience rising electricity demand while pursuing ambitious decarbonization objectives, CHPE demonstrates how large-scale renewable energy can be transported across borders and delivered directly into major cities.
The project offers a model for future clean energy integration and highlights the growing role of advanced transmission technologies in supporting the energy transition.
This article was produced by the editorial team at North America Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
Outlook Publishing delivers industry insights, company stories, and sector coverage across manufacturing, mining, construction, healthcare, supply chains, food production, and sustainability.
North America Outlook provides ongoing coverage of organisations and developments shaping industries across North America.
Lucy Pilgrim is an in-house writer for North America Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine, corporate brochures, and the digital platform.
