Muskrat Falls Generating Station

Muskrat Falls Generation Station
LocationLabrador, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Coordinates53°14′44″N 60°46′22″W / 53.24556°N 60.77278°W / 53.24556; -60.77278
Construction began2013 [1]
Opening dateSeptember 23, 2020
Construction cost$12.7 billion
Owner(s)Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
Dam and spillways
Type of damRoller compacted concrete
ImpoundsChurchill River
Elevation at crest39.5 m[2]
Spillways2
Spillway type1 overflow spillway and 1 spillway with submerged radial gates[3]: 87–88 
Spillway capacity5930 m3/s [2]: 21 
Reservoir
Normal elevation39 m [2]: 20 
Power Station
Turbines4 x 206 MW Kaplan turbines [2]: 23 
Installed capacity824 MW[3]: 86 
Capacity factor62.3%
Annual generation4.5 TWh[3]: 86 

The Muskrat Falls Generating Station is a hydroelectric generating station in the Labrador region of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It comprises part of the remaining 35 per cent of the Churchill River that was not developed by the Churchill Falls Generating Station. The station at Muskrat Falls has a capacity of over 824 MW and provides 4.5 TWh of electricity per year.[4]

A $6.2 billion deal between Newfoundland and Labrador's Nalcor Energy and Halifax, Nova Scotia-based Emera to develop the project was announced in November 2010.[5] On November 30, 2012, a federal loan guarantee deal for financing of the project was signed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Kathy Dunderdale and Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter.[6][7][8][9] On December 17, 2012, the provincial government announced project sanction.[10][11] Emera received approval to proceed with the Maritime Link from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board in 2013.[12] Financial close for the loan guarantee occurred in late 2013.[13] On September 23, 2020, the first unit at Muskrat Falls was synced to the electricity grid in Labrador. Power from the remaining three units was originally expected to come online in the fall of 2021.[14] However, there were delays in construction, including on the corresponding Labrador–Island Link which will transmit generated power to a converter outside St. John's.[15]

On June 23, 2021, Premier Andrew Furey announced Nalcor Energy would be dismantled and folded into Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.[16]

In April 2023, Jennifer Williams, CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, announced the completion of the final successful test of the 1100 km transmission link to Newfoundland. Commissioning by the federal government will be announced following the completion of paperwork. Originally approved in 2012 with an anticipated price tag of around $7.4 billion, the costs of the project increased to more than $13 billion.[17]

  1. ^ "Construction schedule to first power" (JPG). Nalcor Energy. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  2. ^ a b c d "Nalcor's submission to the Board of Commissioners" (PDF). Nalcor Energy. November 10, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Rae, P. (January 2012). "5". Report on Two Generation Expansion Alternatives for the Island Interconnected Electrical System (PDF) (Report). Vol. II. Winnipeg: Manitoba Hydro International. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  4. ^ "Lower Churchill Project". Nalcor Energy. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  5. ^ McCarthy, Shawn (18 November 2010). "Churchill hydro deal signals era of Atlantic co-operation – The Globe and Mail". The Globe and Mail. Toronto.
  6. ^ Bailey, Sue (November 30, 2012). "Harper signs loan guarantee deal for Muskrat Falls despite Quebec's outcry". Global News. Retrieved Nov 29, 2020.
  7. ^ "Terms of Muskrat Falls federal loan guarantee released". CBC News. Dec 4, 2012. Retrieved Nov 29, 2020.
  8. ^ "Harper to announce Muskrat Falls deal in Labrador". CBC News. Nov 29, 2012. Retrieved Nov 29, 2020.
  9. ^ "Harper 'reiterates support' for Muskrat Falls". CBC News. Sep 24, 2012. Retrieved Nov 29, 2020.
  10. ^ "Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Announces Sanction of the Muskrat Falls Development". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. December 17, 2012. Retrieved Nov 29, 2020.
  11. ^ "$1.5B Maritime Link approved by Emera Inc". CBC News. Dec 18, 2012. Retrieved Nov 29, 2020.
  12. ^ "Maritime Link energy project approved by Nova Scotia's UARB". CBC News. Nov 29, 2013. Retrieved Nov 29, 2020.
  13. ^ "Speaking notes delivered December 10 by the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. December 17, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  14. ^ "Muskrat Falls Generating Project". Nalcor Energy.
  15. ^ Callahan, Brian (November 29, 2021). "Hydro Announces Completion of Muskrat Falls Generating Station". VOCM. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Nalcor Energy to be no more: Crown corporation being folded into N.L. Hydro". CBC News. June 23, 2021.
  17. ^ "Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project in N.L. considered commissioned: CEO". Globalnews.ca. April 12, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-16.