Powering Maine’s Future: How the Sullivan & Tunk Lake STATCOM Project Supports Clean Energy and Local Communities

Tunk Lake STATCOM site, courtesy GE Vernova.

Hancock County, ME - As Maine continues moving toward a cleaner energy future, Versant Power is building the technology needed to keep the grid strong, steady, and ready for the increased flow of renewable power. One of the most important steps in that journey is happening right now in the Hancock County community of Sullivan, where a new Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) has been installed to support power coming in from a nearby coastal wind farm.

This project represents cutting-edge engineering—but it’s also a story about teamwork, community, and Maine-grown innovation.

One of the most significant recent steps in this journey is the completion of infrastructure upgrades tied to the Downeast Wind Project—a 126-megawatt wind development consisting of 30 new turbines feeding into Versant Power’s Line.

Behind the scenes, teams across Versant Power have spent the past several years engineering, constructing, upgrading and coordinating to make sure these new renewable resources connect smoothly and reliably to the grid. The result is a stronger, smarter, more resilient system for customers across eastern Maine.

Building the Foundation for Renewable Energy

Agreements between Apex Clean Energy and Versant Power were signed in mid-2022, kicking off engineering for a series of major upgrades across several substations and switching stations.

1. A New 115 kV Switching Station

Together, Apex and Versant designed the Baseline Switching Station, which serves as the point where generation from the Downeast Wind Project joins Versant Power’s 115-kilovolt system.

  • Apex constructed the station.
  • Versant completed the testing and commissioning.
  • The station was successfully energized in late 2024.

This new connection point ensures renewable power flows safely and reliably into the grid.

2. Upgrades to the 115 kV Transmission Line

To accommodate the additional energy, 3.2 miles of the 115 kV line between Epping and Bull Hill Switching Stations were upgraded and energized in mid-2024. These improvements help carry increased renewable generation without compromising reliability.

3. Protection and Control Enhancements

Supporting new renewable energy requires sophisticated protection schemes. Upgrades were completed at:

  • Deblois Substation
  • Epping Switching Station
  • Bull Hill Switching Station
  • Tunk Lake Substation (to accommodate the STATCOM)

All updated protection schemes were tested and placed into service in late 2024, ensuring the grid can respond quickly and safely to system changes.

Bringing the STATCOM Online at Tunk Lake

One of the most important pieces of this project is the installation of a ±150 MVAR STATCOM at Versant Power’s Tunk Lake Substation.

Why Sullivan Needed a STATCOM

Wind and solar power are essential to Maine’s future, but they operate differently than traditional power plants. Unlike the large rotating machines in conventional generation, renewable resources don’t provide the natural “inertia” the grid relies on to stay stable during sudden changes. Their output also shifts rapidly with weather, creating quick changes in voltage that need fast correction.

The STATCOM helps solve these challenges by:

  • Stabilizing voltage when renewable output fluctuates
  • Reacting in milliseconds to support the grid during disturbances
  • Reducing flicker and improving power quality for nearby customers
  • Helping the system “ride through” faults instead of shutting down

Versant worked closely with GE Vernova and Apex to design the necessary substation expansion and technical requirements. After rigorous testing, the STATCOM was energized in May 2025.

Project Manager Brian Green spoke about its significance:

“It’s a great large resource to have here in Maine.

Tunk Lake STATCOM site, photo courtesy GE Vernova.

Teamwork, Collaboration & Community

This project was a massive undertaking—touching operations, engineering, line crews, substations, protection and control, project management, planning and more. Brian emphasized the scale of the collaboration:

“It was a huge effort from all sectors of Versant Power. None of it could have been accomplished without every one of them coming together.”

Community partnership played a central role as well. Versant Power met several times with the town of Sullivan to explain the project, address questions, and hear feedback.

“We wanted to make sure we were a good neighbor,” Brian said.

Teams also worked closely to ensure the project did not disrupt the region’s annual blueberry harvest or the refrigeration and freezing processes essential to the local economy. Careful scheduling and planning ensured continued reliability during this critical season.

What This Means for Customers

The Sullivan STATCOM is more than a new piece of equipment—it’s a major investment in Maine’s energy future. It strengthens power reliability for customers today while preparing the grid for tomorrow’s growing renewable resources.

This project stands as a testament to the innovation happening across Versant Power, the dedication of the teams who collaborated on it, and the commitment to working hand-in-hand with the communities we serve.

Because when the grid is stronger, Maine is stronger.