The MHA for Labrador West says the region cannot wait another 16 years for more electricity as it would kill major industrial projects in the region.
The provincial PCs are asking government to pause the MOU on hydro development in Labrador while the architect of Muskrat Falls, former Premier Danny Williams, wants it torn up altogether.
NDP Jordan Brown says Labrador’s power supply is maxed out at 525 MW, and has been for years. Without upgrading the grid, major projects such as Kami and Julien Lake will come off the books and expansion of existing mines will not be able to proceed.
Brown told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly that such a prospect would spell economic disaster.
“Rio Tinto wants to expand, Tacora wants to expand, and there’s a byproduct at Tacora – manganese used in battery production – but it can’t proceed without a mine to mill it,” said Brown.
The current Upper Churchill contract with Quebec expires in 2041.
