The pandemic has delayed progress on Muskrat Falls for at least four months, with final completion possibly delayed by an additional two-to-six months.

Nalcor Energy is preparing to resume construction and commissioning of the project on May 30th.

In mid-March, the project was placed in “care and maintenance” mode with the minimum workers required left to monitor the facilities. The workforce of 500 on site was reduced to fewer than 100.

The number of workers will slowly increase to ensure new protocols and guidelines to protect workers from COVID-19 are followed.

With time already lost, the project has been delayed four months. However, government says under new health guidelines, the completion could be delayed an additional two-to-six months.