April 25, 2017 – NB Power says it has begun environmental and geotechnical studies and site testing to explore the potential for generating more energy with a new 100MW generating station in Grand Falls beside the existing station.

The field studies, along with engagement with First Nations and local residents, would form the basis for an application for an Environmental Impact Assessment and NB Power plans to submit the application later this year.

“This project is in the early stages and will require study, fieldwork, engineering and environmental approvals prior to going ahead. If feasible, it would be an important source of clean energy to our fleet and, we believe, would provide NB Power with even greater capability to provide generation for our customers inside the province and possibly in the New England market,” said NB Power president and CEO Gaëtan Thomas. “We look forward to speaking with people in the region about the potential of the project in the months ahead.”

A second unit at Grand Falls could help NB Power meet its long-term clean energy requirements, as 40% of the utility’s in-province electricity sales must come from renewable sources by 2020, according to the company.

The combined renewable generation capacity of the proposed and existing stations would be 166MW, NB Power says, adding that the project would require construction of various new structures, including a second tunnel.