Generators and Electrical Components

900 MW HVDC Newfoundland transmission line (finally) successfully commissioned

After nine years of planning, delays and billions in cost overruns, a massive new transmission line that will eventually be capable of carrying 900 MW of hydroelectric-generated energy from central Labrador to the island of Newfoundland is finally complete.
900 MW HVDC Newfoundland transmission line (finally) successfully commissioned
(Map of the the Labrador-Island Link, in yellow. Credit: Emera)

After nine years of planning, delays and billions in cost overruns, a massive new transmission line that will eventually be capable of carrying 900 MW of hydroelectric-generated energy from central Labrador to the island of Newfoundland is finally complete.

The Labrador Island Link (LIL) is a 1,100 km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line that runs from central Labrador, crossing the Strait of Belle Isle, and extending to Soldiers Pond on the Avalon Peninsula. It is owned and operated by Nalcor Energy.

Jennifer Williams, the chief executive officer of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, the utility that serves the island, spoke with local reporters on April 12 and said finishing the project is a big relief for her and for those who worked on the project.

This article was originally published on sister site Power-Grid International.

Executed across a geographically immense area, the project involved eight sites of varying sizes and project influence, spanning more than 1,600 km, and logistical challenges with four sites in a remote, sparsely populated area in Labrador. The sites were divided into multiple contracts, requiring careful planning to ensure integration of O&M.  

The project also involved integrating new technology into an existing grid and energy control center, which proved difficult. In November 2022, a software issue caused an outage for more than 58,000 people.

The Newfoundland and Labrador System Operator, acting independently, said in early April that LIL assets have demonstrated acceptable performance to enable commissioning and said it was satisfied that the assets will support reliable system operation. The company also concluded its formal review process to confirm that the technical specifications required to achieve commissioning have been met and are compliant with project financing requirements. This was a necessary part of the final commissioning process with project partners, including the Federal Government.

The project financing parties have acknowledged that commissioning occurred on April 14, 2023, through the issuance of a Commissioning Confirmation Certificate. Together with the previously commissioned assets, the Muskrat Falls Generating Station and the Labrador Transmission Assets, commissioning of the LIL also marks the successful commissioning of the Lower Churchill Project.

The next step is to review project costs and continue to work with the provincial government to finalize the details of rate mitigation.