Sea Breeze Power Corp. reports that Transport Canada has granted a “Navigable Waters Permit” to facilitate construction of the Juan de Fuca Cable Project, a 550-MW High Voltage Direct Current Light submarine transmission line to connect Vancouver Island and Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula.

Paul B. Manson, President & CEO, said: “The granting of this permit is indicative of the steady progress of this project and supports our expectation that the project may soon be in construction.

“Juan de Fuca Cable will complement the existing grid and will add reliability, capacity and flexibility to transmission operations in the region. The project will strengthen British Columbia’s electrical reliability and will particularly ensure that Vancouver Island’s electricity needs will continue to be met,” Manson added.

The Transport Canada permit, issued from the Pacific Region Marine Branch, contains a number of conditions that will be met by Sea Breeze. In part, these conditions are meant to ensure that the project does not interfere with navigation or anchorages and that the integrity of the foreshore and marine environment is protected.

This permit follows National Energy Board project approval in 2006 and issuance of a US Presidential Permit and a US Army Corps of Engineers Permit in 2008.