The province’s official Opposition is demanding answers now that Nalcor has announced that critical work to bring Muskrat Falls power on stream is going “slower than planned” and may result in delays.
Nalcor posted an update Friday indicating that GE is getting closer to fixing the issues its having with the three synchronous condensers at Soldiers Pond, and that they should be in service by June.
“…Hydro noted that two units were scheduled for March 2020 and the third unit for May 2020. The current schedule has extended commissioning of all three units to June 2020. The synchronous condensers are not currently on the project critical path; however, further schedule slippage remains a risk.”
-Excerpt from NL Hydro letter to the Public Utilities Board.
Nalcor says the units do not need to be in service for power to flow of the Labrador Island Link for testing.
However, GE’s progress on LIL software is slower than anticipated, and they are working towards delivery sometime this year.
Nalcor calls the turn of events “disappointing,” but Opposition natural resources critic Dave Brazil calls it disturbing.
He wants to know the implications of the delay, the costs and whether there are any alternatives.
He says both issues may have serious consequences on the cost and timelines of the Muskrat Falls project.
Meanwhile, a letter from NL Hydro to the Public Utilities Board indicates that first power from Muskrat Falls is still anticipated for February 2020.
First Power Still Anticipated for February
In an update from Nalcor earlier this week, Unit 1 at the Muskrat Falls generating station was filled with water, and hydraulic energy successfully moved the unit’s turbine.
Today, the Unit 1 turbine rotated for the first time at the Muskrat Falls site. We will continue testing Unit 1 as we move closer to first power. pic.twitter.com/dLOfkflBhO
— Nalcor Energy (@NalcorEnergy) January 28, 2020
While mechanical testing continues, NL Hydro says it anticipates the unit will generate first energy in February, followed by commercial operation from the unit in mid-March.
The full letter to the PUB has been posted online at this link.