Nova Scotia Department of Energy | Renewable Energy Hydroelectricity | Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Project at Muskrat Falls

The Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Project

Several international agencies have highlighted hydroelectric energy generation as a key component for lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In November 2010, Emera and Nalcor Energy announced an agreement to develop Muskrat Falls as the location for the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Project. This 6.2 billion project has available an anticipated 800-megawatts of electricity, enough to transmit electricity to Atlantic Canada and the New England markets. The electrical energy harnessed from the location is clean, reliable and renewable, thus providing Nova Scotia with economic, environmental and social benefits.

The Lower Churchill Project is located on the Churchill River in Labrador. This project utilizes 35 per cent of the river's potential generating capabilities and according to Nalcor Energy, is one of the most attractive undeveloped hydroelectric projects in North America. First power from the project is expected in 2017, once the new transmission lines and undersea connections are constructed. To view a map of the Maritime transmission link that will bring hydroelectric power to Nova Scotia, click here.

The Lower Churchill Project consists of two proposed phases, Muskrat Falls and Gull Island. The combined capacity of both facilities will be 3,074 MW, providing almost 17 terawatt hours of electricity per year.

Muskrat Falls, phase one of the project, will be developed in three main components: The Muskrat Falls Generation Facility, the Labrador-Island Transmission Link, and the Maritime Transmission Link. The Gull Island Project, phase two, is expected to proceed several years after Muskrat Falls.

The first component of the Muskrat Falls project is the Muskrat Falls Generation Facility. It is a hydroelectric facility, which includes two dams and a powerhouse, with two Hvac transmission lines connecting to Churchill Falls.

The Labrador-Island Transmission Link will be the first of its kind in Newfoundland and Labrador and will contribute to regional clean energy requirements. The 1,100km HVdc transmission link goes from Central Labrador to the island of Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula.

The Maritime Transmission Link is a 310km HVdc transmission line from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia. This link will assist in addressing the need for stronger electricity connections among the four Atlantic Provinces by providing access to clean and renewable energy.

Nova Scotia Economic Benefits Include:

The Lower Churchill Project will make a contribution to provincial economies through employment and business opportunities. The construction period of the project will result in direct and indirect employment for Nova Scotian workers.
The project will create additional revenue as Nalcor exports more power through Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotians will have stable electrical prices for 35 years.
Nova Scotia homes will be protected from volatile oil and coal prices.

Nova Scotia Environmental Benefits Include:

The Lower Churchill Project will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Nova Scotia. Once in operation mode, the project can displace more than 16 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, the equivalent of taking 3.2 million vehicles off the road each year.
Through the electricity generated by the Lower Churchill Project, the province will achieve 8 to 10 per cent of its total energy needs. It will also achieve approximately 20 per cent of its 40 per cent goal of renewable energy by 2020, as committed in the Nova Scotia Renewable Electricity Plan.
The project has enough electricity to supply hundreds of thousands of households annually, thus contributing to a reduction in air emissions from thermal, coal and fossil fuel power generation.

Nova Scotia Social Benefits Include: