Canada’s federal government will provide an additional C$2.9 billion (US$2.14 billion) in loan guarantees for construction of the 824-MW Muskrat Falls hydropower plant, per an announcement made to the House of Commons in November. The C$11.4 billion (US$8.43 billion) project — located on the Churchill River in Labrador downstream from the existing Churchill Falls plant — is one component of the Lower Churchill complex that could eventually include the 2,250-MW Gull Island plant.
“Costs on the Lower Churchill project were mismanaged by former conservative governments, putting Newfoundland and Labrador at financial risk,” Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr said. “[The] decision means we will contribute to our climate change goals, and Atlantic Canada’s future energy needs.” The funding is part of the federal government’s long-term infrastructure plan that was unveiled the first week of November, with more than C$81 billion (US$59.95 billion) earmarked to help “bring more clean and reliable energy on a smarter, better-connected electricity grid, creating jobs for middle- class Canadians and providing a healthier environment for future generations.”
— Hydro Review magazine, www.hydroworld.com/, December 2016