Churchill Falls and Muskrat Falls – Substations

Expansion and Construction

Our mandate was to expand a power station and build new substations to exchange power between Churchill Falls and Muskrat Falls.

Our team handled the following elements:

• Spreading work over two sites (with a total surface area of 110,000 m²)
• Casting 250 concrete slabs and adding two building foundations (requiring over 6,000 m³ of concrete)
• Installing 150 precast concrete slabs with a concrete pump and a 100-t crane
• Excavating and backfilling under our own forces
• Preparing, implementing and tracking quality plans and procedures (specific to each project)
• Planning design and construction activities
• Managing professionals (ABS Group hired by Pomerleau)
• Controlling costs, budget and quality
• Determining construction methods and logistics
• Managing permits and approvals

To complete the project, we developed an inspection and testing plan and published numerous work procedures. We also commissioned ABS Group to validate the quality of the concrete and backfill. Moreover, our inspections and certifications were conducted under the supervision of Nalcor and GE.

In addition to adhering to our own prevention program, we followed the plans of Nalcor and GE.

Despite many challenges, the project, which began in July 2015, was completed in May 2016 at a cost of $68.7 million.

Tackling Harsh Conditions

We carried out the work throughout the winter, in the Great North.