The West Coast Cable project ("WCC") is a proposed 1,600-megawatt high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission cable that would stretch 650 miles, or approximately 900 kms, from a substation near Portland, Oregon, to the San Francisco Bay Area. Once constructed, the West Coast Cable would become the world's longest HVDC submarine transmission cable.

The WCC project was initiated by Sea Breeze Pacific West Coast Cable, LP (“Sea Breeze Pacific WCC”) and is being explored by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the largest utility in California.

Project Drivers  —————————————————

In recent years California has taken a leadership role by requiring its utilities to aggressively purchase 20% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010.

However, significant constraints on the existing transmission grid make it difficult for utilities to access new renewable energy sources, creating a need for innovative and workable transmission solutions.

The West Coast Cable Project is being developed to address this need and provide California market access to the hydroelectricity and largely untapped wind energy resources found in the Pacific Northwest.

Technology  ——————————————————

HVDC "Classic" is well proven, environmentally friendly transmission technology that provides 75% lower line losses over long distances than would occur with alternating current ("AC").

ABB Inc., one of the world's largest and most successful electrical manufacturing and engineering companies, has been contracted to provide technical support for the West Coast Cable Project.

HVDC benefits:

• Cable is horizontally-drilled under the sensitive inter-tidal zone to minimize impact

• Technology acts like a ‘fire wall' and protects against blackouts rolling from grid to grid

• Cable insulation does not use oil as coolant, eliminating the risk of water contamination

• Controllability and reduction or elimination of security dispatch contingencies

• Minimal power losses

• Higher transmission capability