Utility takes charge

Maritime Electric deserves credit for taking charge of the underwater power cable file and moving forward with the key infrastructure project that is so vital for Prince Edward Island. The utility has long warned that the existing submarine cables are at the end of their lifespan and electricity supply to the province might be jeopardized without the added capacity. The company pushed forward after governments talked and stalled for years.

Ottawa finally came on board early last year and the province is committed to cost-sharing the huge project valued at well over $100 million.

The announcement last week that the cable supply contract was awarded to a South Korean company and a $6 million down payment was paid is good news. The cables had to be ordered last fall so the delivery date of the $54 million contract could be met. Installation begins this fall adjacent to the Confederation Bridge.

An environmental review is still ongoing but there shouldn’t be any major issues. And if there are concerns, then the company should be able to address them. We’ve had cables laid before and these new ones are safer because they don’t have oil insulation. The danger of leaks won’t be a factor.

“If you have a boy on the job you have half a man, but if you have two boys you have nothing.” Overheard on the Island — From the collection of Island author David Weale, dweale@pei.sympatico.ca