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News Releases & Media Contact

2021

May 17, 2021: Two major achievements reached on the Muskrat Falls Project

We reached two major milestones this past weekend on the Muskrat Falls Project – first power flow from the 2nd unit at Muskrat Falls and synching the 1st synchronous condenser at Soldiers Pond to the grid. Thanks to the teamwork of our project partners, contractors, unions and workers who contributed to these achievements.

There are three synchronous condensers at Soldiers Pond that help maintain grid stability and reliability and are needed to enable the flow of power over the Labrador-Island Link (LIL). The 2nd and 3rd units are expected to be synched later this year. Testing on the 1st unit will continue prior to putting it into service.

There are 4 generating units at Muskrat Falls. Unit 1 flowed first power in Sept 2020; units 3 and 4 are expected to reach first power this summer and early fall respectively. Testing of unit 2 will continue over the coming weeks until we’re ready to put the unit into service.

2020

September 28, 2020: Nalcor achieves first power despite COVID-19
MF Project Update Briefing Presentation

September 23, 2020: First flow of power from Muskrat Falls

September 2, 2020: Oil released at Muskrat Falls generation facility contained

Nalcor Energy is advising of the release of turbine oil from the Muskrat Falls powerhouse that resulted in a sheen on the water immediately below the powerhouse, referred to as the tailrace channel. The sheen is contained to a small area in the tailrace channel and a boom is being deployed to contain the product prior to initiating clean up. The sheen has not extended beyond this area. With containment and clean up, it is not expected to move to the river or downstream.

The spill originated from a bearing inside one of the turbines within the powerhouse and is primarily contained within the powerhouse. An investigation is underway to identify the exact cause of the release as well as how much product has been released from the unit. The maximum volume of oil contained inside the turbine bearing is 960 litres (similar to a home heating fuel tank); however, much of the oil remains within the powerhouse, therefore the volume on the water is much less.

Nalcor has directed Andritz, the turbine and generator contractor, to cease work while the clean up and investigation into the incident is undertaken.

Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment and Environment Canada have been notified.

For an image of the location of the sheen in the tailrace channel click here.

March 27, 2020: COVID-19 Update from Nalcor on the Muskrat Falls Project
We are actively monitoring and addressing the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the potential risks to our people, our communities, and site operations. We have put precautionary measures in place to ensure the health and safety of our workers. Here’s a status update on our Muskrat Falls Project sites.

Soldiers Pond Site, Avalon Peninsula
We are ramping down work at the Soldiers Pond site placing it into care and maintenance mode as of Saturday, March 28. This means that all commissioning work currently being performed on site, including work on the three synchronous condensers, will be suspended. We will continue to evaluate the situation.

Muskrat Falls Site, Labrador
On March 17, we suspended construction activities at the site. A limited number of people remain at site maintaining essential systems and operations.These personnel will continue monitoring all of the structures that make up the facility. All structures continue to perform as expected and there are no safety concerns with any of the structures. Water levels in the reservoir continue to be maintained.

Latest Update to the PUB
This week, we provided our regular update to the Public Utilities Board (PUB) on how things are progressing on a number of areas within the project. Please click here for additional information provided to the PUB.

Next Steps
At this time, we are unable to provide a reliable schedule forecast at this time for LIL or the generation project. We will continue to monitor and address the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and potential impacts. This information continues to inform our decisions as we take all necessary actions to help protect the health and well-being of our workers, their families, the community and the public.

March 26, 2020: Message from Stan Marshall, CEO and President of Nalcor Energy in relation to COVID-19

During this uncertain and unprecedented time, Nalcor Energy and its lines of business have taken measures to ensure the safety and well being of our employees, while positioning ourselves to continue to serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

We understand that the people of our province rely on us, and I want to assure you that we have taken steps to ensure that we can continue to deliver. Many of our operations throughout the province have been adjusted to ensure safety and limit activity to work that is critical to the sustainability of our operations.

As we learn to navigate this new normal together, I urge everyone to heed the recommendations and directions that our health and government officials are providing.

Regards

Stan Marshall

March 19, 2020: Information for LCP staff, visitors and vendors

The COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing and so too are the decisions that we as an organization must make. The safety of our staff and their families, our customers, and the public is of utmost importance to us.

Office Closures & Restrictions
On March 17, 2020, we closed the LCP office in St. John’s. Staff are working at home and the office is also closed to visitors, service contractors and the general public.

Information for Vendors – How to Submit Invoices to LCP for Payment
Due to business restrictions put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, LCP is temporarily accepting email submissions of invoices. Vendors are asked to please forward your LCP invoices to the following address: LowerChurchillProject-AccountsPayable@nalcorenergy.com

Additional information for LCP staff is available on the LCP Current and online at: https://nlhydro.com/covid-19-updates/

March 17, 2020: Muskrat Falls site ramping down operations to protect the health and well-being of communities　

In light of the escalation of COVID-19 and the potential risks to our people, our communities, and site operations, effective today, Nalcor will be ramping down operations at the Muskrat Falls site in Labrador.

Precautionary measures had already been put in place at the site to ensure the health and safety of our workers and the public. At this time there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at the Muskrat Falls site.

This is a difficult decision. Recognizing that we have a responsibility within our worksite, as well as within the wider community, we are doing our part to help control potential spread of COVID-19.

We are currently working with our contractors and union partners as we start a controlled demobilization of the workforce. There are approximately 500 people working at the Muskrat Falls site and of those approximately 350 people are living at the camp while working.

Preparations are underway to put the site in care and maintenance mode. Construction work will be paused while we maintain essential systems and operations at the site. Our initial plan is to put this precaution in place for the next month.

The safety of our workers and their families, our communities, and the public is of utmost importance to us. We have been actively monitoring and addressing the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and potential impacts. This information has informed our decision as we take further actions to help protect the health and well-being of others.

2019

November 5, 2019: Electrical Work Restarts in the Muskrat Falls Powerhouse

On October 20, Nalcor initiated a safety stand down at the Muskrat Falls generation site and stopped all work for a period of time to address safety concerns. We advised Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and they initiated an investigation which resulted in stop work orders to two contractors for some work in the powerhouse. Electrical work in the powerhouse was temporarily on hold, while all other work continued.

OH&S has removed the stop work orders. Following a full safety review with contractors at site, all work activities covered by the stop work orders have restarted in the powerhouse.

We are focused on the safety of everyone working on our site. As we restart this work, we will require diligence by all contractors and workers to ensure that safety is always top of mind.

October 24, 2019: Nalcor Provides Safety Stand Down Update

On Sunday, Nalcor, with the support of our contractors, initiated a safety stand down in the Muskrat Falls powerhouse.

Following the stand down, Occupational Health and Safety issued stop work orders to two contractors working in the powerhouse, reiterating the action Nalcor took on Sunday. This means that some of the work happening within the powerhouse has temporarily stopped while safety reviews are completed. Work continues in some areas of the powerhouse and in all other areas of the worksite.

We are working closely with our contractors and the regulator to restart the work that has been impacted and will provide an update once all work activities identified in the order resume.

As areas within the powerhouse are changing from non-energized to energized work environments, this change requires diligence by all contractors and workers to ensure safety is always top of mind. We are focused on the safety of everyone working on our site.

2018