New York Imports 52 GWh of Canadian Power During Heat Wave
New York Imports Record 52 GWh of Canadian Electricity During July Heat Wave
New York imported a record 52 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity from Canada in July, 2026, as a powerful heat wave pushed electricity demand to unusually high levels. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), it was the largest amount of cross-border electricity traded between New York and Canada since January 2025.
A major contributor to the increase was the newly commissioned Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), a 1,250-megawatt high-voltage transmission line linking Hydro-Québec with New York City. The transmission line entered commercial operation in May 2026 after several years of construction and operated at its full capacity during the peak demand period.
The early July heat wave caused electricity demand across New York to surge. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) recorded a peak load of 31,097 MW on July 2. On July 3, electricity imported from Canada supplied about 9% of the state’s total demand, helping maintain reliable grid operations during the hottest days.
Throughout July 3, New York received an average of about 1,400 MW of electricity from Hydro-Québec and another 800 MW from Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator. These imports reduced pressure on local generation and demonstrated the growing value of cross-border transmission during periods of extreme electricity demand.
According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the CHPE project is expected to provide enough clean hydropower to meet up to 20% of New York City’s electricity demand. However, despite its strong performance during the heat wave, the transmission line experienced outages in June and again after July 4 because of cable-related issues that required additional repairs.
Electricity imports from Canada had declined in recent years because drought conditions reduced hydroelectric generation in Québec and other provinces. With new high-voltage transmission projects now entering service, cross-border electricity trade could increase again as Canadian hydroelectric output recovers.
The record imports highlight the growing importance of regional grid connections as electricity demand rises across North America. With more frequent heat waves, increasing electrification, and expanding AI data centers, transmission links such as CHPE are expected to play a larger role in improving grid reliability and delivering low-carbon electricity to major cities.
Sources:
- U.S. Energy Information Administration
- New York Independent System Operator (NYISO)
- Hourly Electric Grid Monitor
