Wasoqonatl Reliability Intertie federally approved
A major new power-grid project linking Nova Scotia and New Brunswick has cleared key regulatory and funding milestones, as federal and provincial authorities move to strengthen interprovincial electricity reliability and support future renewable energy growth. The transmission line was formally approved on Nov. 24 and will be named “Wasoqonatl Reliability Intertie.” The line will run approximately 160 km between Onslow, N.S. and Salisbury, N.B., building alongside the existing connection to provide a second, high-capacity link between the two provinces.
This line will operate at 345 kilovolts and run parallel to the existing corridor, effectively “twinning” the current connection to boost capacity. The project’s forecast cost is approximately $684.7 million, with construction slated to begin in 2026. The line is expected to be in service by Fall 2028. The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has committed $217 million in equity financing to make the project possible. This is the first time the Bank has deployed this type of financing in a transmission-line project.
As part of a broader effort at Indigenous reconciliation, a share of project ownership will go to a partnership of the region’s 13 Mi’kmaw First Nations, via Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency Ltd. This share of ownership is made possible through the CIB’s Indigenous Equity Initiative. Indigenous engagement has been a part of the project long before it was approved. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Wasoqonatl project was registered in late 2023 and was approved on Dec.15, 2023. As part of the EIA process, consultations were held with Indigenous communities, local residents, landowners, environmental groups, and other stakeholders.
Officials say the investment is expected to yield savings for Nova Scotia electricity ratepayers — an estimated $200 million over the long term. The construction stage of the project is forecast to support roughly 587 direct and indirect jobs during peak construction, injecting about $105 million in GDP into Atlantic Canada.
By increasing grid capacity and reliability, the intertie is designed to better accommodate renewable energy — improving power trade between provinces and stabilizing supply. Nova Scotia Power Inc. says Wasoqonatl will “help future-proof” the regional grid by enabling greater flexibility and resilience as more wind, solar, and clean-power generation comes online.
Officials highlight the project as a great example of interprovincial and Indigenous collaboration. As one CIB press release explains, the new line will not only increase energy reliability and affordability, but also foster economic opportunity for Mi’kmaw communities and support Atlantic Canada’s shift to clean energy. Energy-sector leaders say the intertie will make the region’s power system more resilient by helping integrate new sources of renewable power, reducing reliance on single-line infrastructure, and contributing to a cleaner and stable electricity future.
Despite public and stakeholder feedback being part of the environmental oversight process, some critics caution that before construction begins, more clarity is needed. Stakeholders want to know more about long-term costs to residents on the electric grid and how the line’s environmental and land-use impacts will be mitigated.
After years of planning, the N.S.–N.B. interprovincial transmission upgrade is finally on track. With strong federal backing, Indigenous participation, and projected economic and environmental benefits, the Wasoqonatl Reliability Intertie could become a cornerstone of Atlantic Canada’s clean-energy grid. It is expected to reinforce regional connections, create jobs, and support reliable power for communities, businesses, and future renewable development.