Now that the provincial Department of Environment has given the ok, the Fundy Isles will soon have new submarine cables to ensure safe and reliable power.
NB Power says the original cables between Deer Island, Campobello Island, and Grand Manan were installed in 1978, and have an estimated forty year service life.
After getting feedback during a public consultation process with various stakeholders and First Nations, NB Power says the new cables will be placed adjacent to the old ones.
The utility says terrestrial work began this fall and will be complete by the spring or summer of 2019, the submarine cables will be installed over the summer months, and the remainder of overhead transmission work will be finished by the fall of 2019.
Under the approval from the Department of Environment, NB Power will keep local fishing associations, Aboriginal commercial licensees, as well as recreational users informed of project activities, which will include the final construction schedule for cable installation and potential project-fishing interactions.
NB Power will also be launching an information program so all stakeholders will be aware of the construction details and each phase of the project.
The project in broken down into three main contracts, the site expansion for existing sites is currently being done by Fundy Contractors Ltd from St. George, The HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) work has not yet been awarded, and the Cable Supply and installation contract is currently being finalized.
NB Power will also be contacting fishing associations and aboriginal communities to find the best methods to mitigate cable strikes or unplanned outages.
