The Neptune Regional Transmission System is an undersea and underground power cable linking New Jersey to New York and providing 660-MW of power to Long Island Power Authority (LIPA).
Project Overview
The Neptune Regional Transmission System is a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) undersea and underground power cable that links the New Jersey power grid to New York and provides 660 MW of power to the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) — enough for 600,000 homes — supplying more than 20 percent of Long Island’s typical electricity demand. The cable runs approximately 65 miles between Sayreville, New Jersey, and New Cassel (North Hempstead) on Long Island.
The Neptune Regional Transmission System began construction in June 2005 and was completed in June 2007, on budget and ahead of schedule.
BENEFIT TO LONG ISLAND
Since commencing operation, the system has exceeded expectations for availability and the amount of power brought onto Long Island. The Neptune Regional Transmission System includes two converter stations, an undersea cable that extends approximately 50 miles underneath the Raritan River and the Atlantic Ocean, and an underground cable that extends up the shoulder of the Wantagh Parkway on Long Island.
The system provides access to PJM, one of the most diverse and competitively priced power markets in the United States. PJM controls electricity flows in all or parts of 13 states.
PARTNERSHIPS
The Neptune Regional Transmission System was completed on budget and ahead of schedule in June 2007 by a consortium of Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution and Prysmian Cables and Systems.
The Neptune Regional Transmission System is now owned and operated by Neptune Regional Transmission System, LLC.
LOCATION AND ROUTE
Approximately 50 miles of the direct current (DC) cable is buried under the Raritan River in New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean, and an additional 15 miles of underground cable travels alongside the Wantagh Parkway. The project interconnects to PJM in Sayreville at a nearby First Energy substation, and interconnects to the LIPA system at the Newbridge Road substation in Levittown. The designed route is completely underground, ensuring zero visual impact.
TECHNOLOGY USED
The Neptune Regional Transmission System utilizes a 500-kilovolt (kV), DC cable to provide up to 660 MW of electric power to Long Island.