ATLANTIC CANADA compaction rollers into multiple horizontal layers. On the south side, a conventional rock-filled dam will be con- structed by building layers of rock and till material. Other work will stabilize a natural dam north of the river through a cut-off wall, re-grading slopes, protecting the shoreline through a rock layer and upgrading an ex- isting pump system. Bennett says environmental assessments began in 2006. “We will fulfill a comprehensive list of environmen- tal commitments, such as an environmental monitoring plan and a fish habitat compensation plan. Wood har- vested from the reservoir clearing will also be made available for use.” “There has been a lot of engagement and consultation with many stakeholders,” he said. “Our work has touched most of the terrestrial and aquatic environment. In the end though, this facility will create the lowest cost and most sustainable energy source possible, so it will be well worth the effort.” The project also includes construction of a 1,100 km. high voltage direct current (HVdc) Labrador-Island trans- mission link. Additional work here includes the assembly and installation of transmission towers on foundations, installation of conductor and grounding systems and building a converter station to convert power from HVdc to high voltage alternating current (HVac). In addition compounds will be constructed on each side of the Strait of Belle Isle at transition points between a 35 km. subsea cable and an overhead line running from Forteau Point, Labrador to Shoal Cove, Newfoundland. “This is a massive project so of course there are many different challenges,” says Bennett. “The transmission lines for instance have to be able to withstand winds of 200 km. per hour and high ice loading. These are not the longest lines in the world but they are up there.” Bennett says a strategy of looking at large scale infrastruc- ture projects – not just hydroelec- tric – where scale, isolation and other challenges were compara- ble, helped identify areas where 10 – Fall 2013 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report previous experience and solutions existed. “We looked across Canada and offshore for solutions that were transferrable.” “To monetize the value of the surplus power, Nalcor Energy has partnered with Emera Inc., a publicly traded entity based in Nova Scotia which is the parent company of Nova Scotia Power, Bangor Hydro-Electric and Maine and Maritimes,” Nalcor’s website says. “Nalcor and Emera have reached an agreement that includes equity investments by Emera in the Maritime Link and the Labrador-Island Link, provision of power to Nova Scotia Power, construction of a maritime transmission link be- tween provinces and assignment of transmission rights in the Maritime provinces and New England to Nalcor. This agreement will generate value for both companies and builds on Nalcor’s existing relationship with Emera for marketing a portion of recall power from the Upper Churchill in the United States.” The maritime link will be established from Newfound- land to Nova Scotia across the Cabot Strait and a con- verter station in Cape Breton will tie into the existing Nova Scotia transmission grid. This project component will be constructed and financed by Emera Inc. Once in operation, Muskrat Falls power will replace a Newfoundland oil-fired generation plant, resulting in a re- duction of greenhouse gas emissions by more than one million tonnes annually while powering the province through 98 per cent renewable energy. Nova Scotia will also displace one megaton of emissions per year with renewable power from Newfoundland and Labrador. Though the project is still in early stages, Murray says the transparent collaboration and communication augers well for its success on all levels. A second planned phase, located at Gull Island, will likely begin several years after Muskrat Falls is opera- tional. For more information about the Lower Churchill Project, visit Nalcor’s website at: www.muskratfalls.nal- corenergy.com.