N.L. open to selling power through Atlantic Link, but no talks happening yet

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball said there is no immediate plan to sell electricityto Halifax-based Emerafor resale to the northeast United States through the planned Atlantic Link.

This week, Emerathe parent company of Nova Scotia Power issued a call for 900 megawatts of hydro or wind power that it plans to resell and carry toNew Englandthrough the proposed $2-billion transmissionline.

In a statement to CBC, Newfoundland and Labrador'sNalcor Energy said it is aware of the Atlantic Link development, and is looking at the option of getting involved and possibly selling power from Muskrat Falls.

N.L. Premier Dwight Ball said thatas of now, there are no discussions taking place between officials in the Newfoundland and Labrador government and Emera, but that it's still early and he is open to having those discussions.

"Newfoundland and Labrador will look for a role in there," he said.

"We're interested in talking to other provinces andinterested in talking to companies who need good, clean green energy to support future areas."

Ball said the province is open to selling power from Muskrat Falls throughthe Atlantic Link, and that any power sold would be used to mitigate power rates for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

"There is also a lot of future opportunity to sell powerfrom the province's untapped wind energy resources," Ball said

"We also know we have a tremendous resource around wind energy that has not been developed," he said. "So if there areopportunities to work with Emera, then certainly we're willing to have that discussion."