Start of Commercial Operations for Champlain Hudson Power Express Celebrated in New York

At an event held in New York on 19 June, NKT celebrated the official commissioning of the 400 kV HVDC interconnector, the Champlain Hudson Power Express, together with its customers, Transmission Developers Inc. (TDI) and Hydro-Québec.

The power line stretches over 600 km (372 miles) from Québec, Canada, to the heart of New York City. It is capable of delivering enough Canadian hydroelectric power to cover up to 20% of electricity consumption—equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately one million households.

“A world-class power line that will transform the lives of millions of New Yorkers cannot be built without a world-class cable. NKT’s partnership in the CHPE project—from the early stages of development through testing and commissioning—was critical to CHPE’s success. On behalf of the entire TDI team, I would like to thank NKT for its contribution to this significant milestone for the City of New York,” says Justin Sauber, CEO of TDI.

Construction took four years 

Awarded in 2022, the turnkey project was executed by NKT and included the design, manufacture, and installation of a 400 kV HVDC power cable system. The power line was put into commercial operation in May, ahead of schedule.

“The commissioning of the Champlain Hudson Power Express is a huge milestone for NKT and for New York’s transition to renewable energy. It reflects the value of strong collaboration and long-term partnerships, and it has been a privilege to work with TDI, Hydro-Québec, and our partners to bring this important project to fruition, which advances the energy transition in the United States,” says NKT CEO Claes Westerlind.

The Champlain Hudson Power Express is now capable of transmitting up to 1,250 megawatts of renewable hydropower from Canada to New York, a significant contribution to the city’s energy transition.

The project has required extensive manufacturing work as well as large-scale installation work both on land and at sea in a variety of environments, including Lake Champlain and the Hudson and Harlem Rivers.

NKT previously completed the grid connection on the Canadian side of the border, enabling a fully integrated transmission link to New York. The commissioning is the result of years of planning, development, and installation work, and was celebrated at an official opening ceremony held in New York on June 16, 2026.

About NKT

NKT has been developing power cable technology and building infrastructure since 1891—from the first incandescent light bulbs to today’s megawatt-class renewable energy. NKT is headquartered in Denmark and has more than 30 offices around the world, as well as 6,500 employees globally. NKT is listed on the Nasdaq Copenhagen stock exchange, and its revenue was 3.6 billion euros in 2025.