Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travelers that due to high water levels and flows from spring runoff, the company may be required to release water in the following locations:

• Star Lake area of Central Newfoundland at the Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook and then Beothuk Lake;
• Burnt Pond and White Bear River area of Central and Southern Newfoundland at the Burnt Dam Spillway;
• Granite Canal area accessed from Central Newfoundland at the Granite Canal Bypass Structure or at the Granite Overflow Dykes along Burnt Dam access road into Grey River. Releases at the overflow dykes may wash out the road to Burnt Dam, located 15.5 km from the Granite turn-off.

Please note that releases may begin at any time. People are advised to use these areas with great caution as water levels and flows will be higher than normal and may be unpredictable.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

The public and snowmobilers in the Labrador Straits are advised of snow clearing activity and equipment use on and around the L’Anse au Diable pond road (berry picking road) located between Capstan Island and L’Anse au Loup.

Snow clearing begins today and is expected to continue for the next week to two weeks.

This work is being conducted to enable crews and equipment to access transmission lines in need of repair.

Please use caution and be aware of limited access and heavy equipment traffic in this area.

Also, be advised that snow clearing on these roads is temporary and will end when transmission line maintenance is complete.

Hydro apologizes for any inconvenience and thanks the public for their patience as crews work to complete the repairs.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

This morning, our President and CEO, Jennifer Williams spoke with the media following our quarterly letter to the Public Utilities Board on the status of our newest assets. Ms. Williams also reflected on the significant weather event that resulted in system outages last weekend. Watch the video or read the statement below for the highlights and updates.

Full Statement

Hydro responded to ice damage, restoring power to customers in 16 communities across the province.

Last weekend, system outages affected 16 different communities. While much of the province saw extensive rainfall, parts of the island and Southern Labrador saw significant and fast accumulating amounts of freezing rain, a risk for utilities in Northern climates around the world.

In some areas, this caused damage to transmission and distribution lines, and combined with the messy ground cover, proved challenging for our crews to patrol and repair over several days.
The response required action from crews across the province both in the field and behind desks. Teams came together with expertise and professionalism to swiftly mobilize and safely restore power.

We know outages can be challenging for our customers, especially on a holiday weekend, so thank you for your patience as teams worked to bring the power back online. Many customers shared kind words and support for our crews and I know it was appreciated.

Labrador Island Link had a strong performance in 2023.

As we approach the first anniversary of the commissioning of the Labrador Island Link, it’s important that you hear about its successes, as well as the bumps you might be more likely to hear about. The Link had a strong performance in 2023. Our teams estimate that the Link was available 96% of the year. In 2023, the Muskrat Falls Hydroelectric Generating Facility also exceeded the Canadian average for plant availability. In our recent report, you will also see that in the first quarter of 2024, the Muskrat Falls Plant was available 99.9% of the time.

Almost one full year since its full commissioning, the Labrador Island Link is still very much a new asset. We have seen some issues, which are expected and typical of any new assets in early operation. We have been prepared with other assets ready if needed.

Recent ice storm impacted towers in southern Labrador.

Further to the ice damage we saw on the west coast and in Labrador, we also saw some extreme ice on some towers along the Labrador Island Link in Southern Labrador. There were no power interruptions as a result.

These severe, fast accumulating ice conditions, three inches thick in places, damaged 11 towers on a section of the Labrador Island Link in Southern Labrador. There are 3223 towers on the LIL. The main parts of the towers were unaffected while the components damaged are associated with the connection of the electrode line to the tower at the uppermost part of the tower and a few tower peaks. Repairs are underway and expected to be completed in the coming week or so. The line will remain out of service while we finish the work safely.

Anecdotally, we hear that the freezing rain exposure in the area is changing from what would be expected in the past. While our assets were designed to withstand the climate based on the data available at the time of design, now, 15 years later, the climate is changing and as the assets are operating, we are finding microclimates – isolated areas along the line where weather may differ substantially from the general weather that was expected and included in the line design. Combined, this means we can expect some issues that must be resolved with long-term solutions. Rest assured, we are keeping customer reliability top of mind as we think about strengthening assets to respond to evolving climate conditions.

Extreme weather can impact an asset at any time as you can see from the impacts in communities across the province last weekend. The same applies to any piece of infrastructure, roads, buildings, and yes, even one of the sturdiest transmission lines in the world.

Software to be installed this spring, while 900MW testing moved to the fall.

The final software version for the Link successfully passed Factory Acceptance Testing in March 2024. All outstanding software items have now been addressed and the software is expected to be installed later this spring.

Before the ice event this weekend, we had decided not to proceed with a 900MW test this spring. We are finalizing repairs on a component that is needed before completing the test. Some of the parts are made-to-order for our complex system and will not arrive in time to meet the weather window required for the test. You may recall from our last round of testing, to complete the test, we need very high electricity demand and that only comes with colder weather.

While the full functionality of the Labrador Island Link was tested last April and was the final requirement for commissioning, we will, in the future complete a 900MW test when system conditions allow.

A detailed quarterly report outlining these issues was filed with the Public Utilities Board yesterday and is available on the PUB website.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising the public in Southern Labrador to avoid the transmission lines on the St. Paul’s River Road due to heavy ice buildup. Heavy ice can fall from overhead lines and also brings lines lower to the ground than usual – posing a safety risk to anyone below.

The ice buildup also damaged the line resulting in wires and lines on the ground. While not energized, this also poses additional hazards. Hydro crews will be in the area in the coming days to conduct repairs and we thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time.

Remember to use caution and be safe near all power lines and electrical facilities. While transmission line rights-of way may appear to be an ideal trail for outdoor activities and recreational vehicles, it’s best to avoid them given the hazards, such as guy wires, that can often be difficult to spot.

Be safe near transmission lines:

• Avoid rights-of-way
• Have 360 degree awareness – Look up, down, left and right to identify potential hazards
• Be aware of your surroundings and nearby transmission infrastructure
• Watch for overhead ice and snow that may fall from lines and towers
• Respect safety signage and restricted areas
• Be aware of uneven terrain

If you see a downed line, stay back at least 15 metres (49 feet), and call us immediately at 1-888-737-1296.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travelers in the

• Burnt Pond and White Bear River areas of Central and Southern Newfoundland that the company has stopped releasing water the Burnt Dam Spillway. The potential for additional releases remains due to high water levels and flows, and these could begin at any time.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is also advising residents, cabin owners and travelers in the

• Granite Canal area accessed from Central Newfoundland that due to recent mild weather and rainfall, the company may be required to release water at the Granite Canal Bypass Structure or at the Granite Overflow Dykes along Burnt Dam access road into Grey River. Releases at the overflow dykes may wash out the road to Burnt Dam, located 15.5 km from the Granite turn-off. Releases may begin at any time in the coming days.

Finally, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travellers in the

• Star Lake area of Central Newfoundland that the Company is continuing to release water at the Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook and then Beothuk Lake.

People are advised to use these areas with great caution as water levels and flows will be higher than normal and may be unpredictable.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travelers in the

• Burnt Pond and White Bear River areas of Central and Southern Newfoundland that due to recent mild weather and rainfall, the company has started releasing water at the Burnt Dam Spillway into the White Bear River.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is also advising residents, cabin owners and travelers in the

• Granite Canal area accessed from Central Newfoundland that due to recent mild weather and rainfall, the company may be required to release water at the Granite Canal Bypass Structure or at the Granite Overflow Dykes along Burnt Dam access road into Grey River. Releases at the overflow dykes may wash out the road to Burnt Dam, located 15.5 km from the Granite turn-off. Releases may begin at any time in the coming days.

Finally, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travelers in the

• Star Lake area of Central Newfoundland that the Company is continuing to release water at the Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook and then Beothuk Lake.

People are advised to use these areas with great caution as water levels and flows will be higher than normal and may be unpredictable.

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Posted: March 26, 2024

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travelers that due to sustained warm weather paired with rainfall, the company may be required to release water at the following locations. Releases may begin at any time in the coming days.

· In the Burnt Pond and White Bear River areas of central and southern Newfoundland at Burnt Dam Spillway into the White Bear River;
· In the Granite Canal area accessed from central Newfoundland at the Granite Canal Bypass Structure and at the Granite Overflow Dykes along Burnt Dam access road into Grey River. Releases at the overflow dykes may wash out the road to Burnt Dam, located 15.5 km from the Granite turn-off.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is also advising those in the Star Lake area of central Newfoundland that the company is continuing to release water at the Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook and then Beothuk Lake.

People are advised to use these areas with great caution as water levels and flows will be higher than normal and may be unpredictable.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travelers in the Granite Canal area accessed from central Newfoundland that the Company is no longer expecting to release water at the Granite Canal Bypass Structure at this time.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is also advising residents, cabin owners and travelers in the Star Lake area of central Newfoundland that the Company is continuing to release water at the Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook and then Beothuk Lake.

People are advised to use these areas with great caution as water levels and flows will be higher than normal and may be unpredictable.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

The Churchill Falls Generating Station advises the public of the annual draw down of the Ossokmanuan Reservoir beginning March 14, 2024.

Dangerous ice conditions and open water will result up and downstream of the Gabbro Control Structure and along the narrows at the Ossokmanuan Bridge on the Trans-Labrador Highway. Snowmobilers are advised to use extreme caution along the shorelines as large ice cracks and ice walls may develop.

Safety is our number one priority. The public is advised to always use extreme caution around dykes, dams, and spillways as water levels fluctuate and are always unpredictable.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

Update

The testing that took place today on the Labrador Island Link was successfully completed with no impact to customers. As always, we appreciate your patience as we work to strengthen our electricity system.

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Original Advisory:

On March 5, 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro will be conducting a series of tests on the Labrador Island Link, our longest transmission line that brings power from the Muskrat Falls plant in Labrador to the Soldier’s Pond terminal station on the island.

Testing is scheduled to take place from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and during this time, there is an increased risk of customer impact. If there is a power interruption, we are prepared and have supply available to restore customers quickly (typically under 30 minutes). We’ll be monitoring the system closely and will keep customers informed if issues arise. Updates will be posted to our website, Facebook and Twitter.

We appreciate your patience as we work to strengthen our electricity system. We know you are counting on us to provide safe, reliable energy and we take that responsibility seriously.

VIDEOS:
https://nlhydro.com/good-to-know/what-is-underfrequency-load-shedding/
https://my.nlhydro.com/outage/

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travellers that the Company is releasing water in the Star Lake area of central Newfoundland at the Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook and then Beothuk Lake.

The Company is also advising that a potential for release remains in the Granite Canal area accessed from central Newfoundland at the Granite Canal Bypass Structure.

People are advised to use these areas with great caution as water levels and flows will be higher than normal and may be unpredictable.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro hereby gives notice that a submission has been added to the Navigable Waters Registry pursuant to the Canadian Navigable Waters Act for public comment described herein and its site and plans.

Pursuant to paragraph 10(1)(b) of the said Act, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has deposited with the Minister of Transport, on the on-line Common Project Search Registry (https://common-project-search.canada.ca/) and under registry numbers 10100, 10104-10108, 10110-10115, and 10121-10145, a description of the following work, its site and plans:

• replacement/upgrade of 37 existing culverts, in/across various streams, along the 735 kV in a remote area of Labrador, accessible only by the access trail on the transmission line

Comments regarding the effect of this work on marine navigation can be sent through the Common Project Search site mentioned above under the Comment section (search by the above registry numbers) or if you do not have access to the internet, by sending your comments directly to:

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
Attn.: Leah Fudge
Environmental Advisor
500 Columbus Dr.
P.O. Box 12800
St. John’s, NL A1B 0C9

Note that comments will be considered only if they are received not later than 30 days after the publication of this notice.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is advising residents, cabin owners and travellers that due to significant forecasted rainfall, the company may be required to release water at the following locations. Releases may begin at any time in the coming days.

• In the Burnt Pond and White Bear River areas of Central and Southern Newfoundland at Burnt Dam Spillway into the White Bear River;
• In the Star Lake area of Central Newfoundland at the Star Lake Spillway into Star Brook and then Beothuk Lake.

People are advised to use these areas with great caution as water levels and flows will be higher than normal and may be unpredictable.

Media Contact:

Jill Pitcher
Senior Communications Advisor, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
t. 709.737.1219 / c. 709.689.9938 e. JillPitcher@nlh.nl.ca