Canada · Industrial projects
When Quebec power began flowing to New York through the Champlain Hudson line
The Champlain Hudson Power Express became operational in May 2026. Hydro-Québec began its contracted New York deliveries on 1 June, using a cross-border connection rated at 1,250 megawatts.
Sources checked
- November 2021Hydro-Québec reaches New York supply agreement
Contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Source 2
- 30 November 2022CHPE construction starts
US transmission works begin Source 1
- August 2025Last Lake Champlain cable section installed
Cable crews finish laying the stretch into Putnam Station Source 1
- January 2026Major CHPE construction complete
Restoration continues along the route Source 1
- 13 May 2026CHPE becomes operational
Developer’s technical operating milestone Source 1
- 1 June 2026Hydro-Québec starts contracted deliveries
Power delivery begins under the 2021 agreement Source 2
Show 1 more dates
- 16 June 2026Developer marks project completion
1,250 MW link to New York City Source 3
Construction, technical operation and deliveries under the power contract have separate dates.
The length depends on where the measurement starts
The developer reports about 339 miles of buried and underwater high-voltage direct-current cable from the US border to the Astoria converter station. Hydro-Québec describes more than 600 kilometres for the connected route from its Hertel substation at La Prairie to Astoria. The longer figure includes the Canadian portion. Source 1 Source 2
The cable crosses land and water
The US project takes cable underground and underwater through New York State. The developer reports finishing the final Lake Champlain stretch into Putnam Station in August 2025. At Astoria in Queens, a converter connects the direct-current link to the New York City grid. Source 1 Source 3
Technical operation came before contract deliveries
The project developer gives 13 May 2026 as the operational date. Hydro-Québec announced the start of supply under its New York agreement on 1 June. A completion announcement followed on 16 June. These milestones concern separate steps in bringing a transmission project into commercial use. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
Rated capacity is different from actual flow
The connection can carry up to 1,250 megawatts. Hydro-Québec says the agreement allows it to adjust deliveries to grid conditions and gives priority to Quebec’s needs. The capacity figure alone cannot show how much energy will be delivered over a year or during a period of peak demand. Source 2 Source 3