The multi-billion dollar Maritime Link is a large scale project to bring clean and green hydroelectric power from the Churchill Falls power stations in Labrador Canada to the North-Eastern United States with an over 100 mile long undersea passage to Nova Scotia.  The project includes two converter stations that require 1,230 tons of steel, all of it hot-dip galvanized.

Given the very remote location and the prone to extremes maritime climate the need to insure low-maintenance long term corrosion protection for these buildings was paramount on the minds of the specifiers.  Hot-dip galvanizings long proven track record in the electrical utility industry for its unparalleled value equation and environmental sustainability made it a natural choice.  An additional consideration was the excellent conductivity of galvanized steel is an important safety factor in that it drains away the electric charge that can build in the airspace around the ultra-high voltage equipment.  Painted steel structure does not give these electric charges a natural route to ground allowing ambient electricity levels to reach dangerous levels for employee safety and proper machinery function. 

The factory controlled quality of galvanizing and its rugged impact and abrasion resistance was also much appreciated during erection, minimizing touch-ups and speeding erection.  Our multiple high capacity galvanizing plants ensured rapid turn around and our state of the art in-plant data systems greatly minimize the possibility of item misidentification and provide unparalleled traceability in the event of any nonconformity. 

The Maritime Link connects the Island of Newfoundland for the first time to the North American electricity market while also delivering renewable clean energy to Nova Scotia and throughout New England.  Strong, long-lasting, sustainable, low-cost and reliable hot-dip galvanizing is playing a big role in protecting the assets of this important sustainable energy project for generations to come.