Newfoundland and Labrador has a wealth of resources and supporting characteristics that well position it to competitively produce and export green hydrogen. These include abundant wind, water and land, a highly renewable grid, a skilled workforce, and a strategic location with numerous deep-sea ice-free ports along transcontinental shipping lanes and with proximity to Europe.
To ensure the development and use of the province’s Crown land for wind energy projects in a manner that ensures the greatest long-term benefit for residents of the Province, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology (IET) launched a Crown Land Call for Bids for Wind Energy Projects (Call for Bids) for specific Crown lands on December 14, 2022 and closed at noon on March 23, 2023.
The department received 24 bids from 19 companies, which went through a stage one review including criteria such as the bidder’s experience and their financial capacity to plan, construct, and operate the proposed project. Nine bids from nine companies were approved to proceed to stage two.
The stage two review included a deeper examination of the bidder’s experience, the proposed project, and the project financing plan, as well as an examination of additional information on the electricity grid connection requirements, community and Indigenous engagement, and benefits to the province.
IET has announced that four bids from four companies have received wind application recommendation letters and have been granted the exclusive right to pursue the development of their project through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Crown land application and approval process, which includes a referral to Environmental Assessment (EA). Final project details such as wind turbine locations will be informed through the Crown lands and EA processes.
The Call for Bids does not award Crown land; however, successful bidders from this process have been issued a wind application recommendation letter from Industry, Energy and Technology. This letter grants a bidder the exclusive right to pursue the development of their project through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Crown land application and approval process.
Overview of Wind-Hydrogen Development Projects:
Toqlukuti’k Wind and Hydrogen (ABO)
ABO is proposing a three phase wind energy project in the Isthmus region to produce and export hydrogen/ammonia with Braya Renewable Fuels through the joint development of green hydrogen production at the Come-By-Chance refinery. ABO has an approved bid area of approximately 108 thousand hectares of land for the wind farm, storage and production facility.
EverWind NL Company
EverWind is proposing a multi-phase wind energy project to produce and export hydrogen/ammonia from facilities on the Burin Peninsula. EverWind has an approved bid area of approximately 270 thousand hectares of land for the wind farm, storage and production facilities.
Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation (EVREC)
EVREC is proposing a multi-phase wind energy project in central Newfoundland and a hydrogen/ammonia production facility in Botwood Newfoundland to produce and export green hydrogen/ammonia. EVREC has an approved bid area of approximately 30 thousand hectares for the wind farm, storage and production facilities.
World Energy GH2 Inc
World Energy GH2 is proposing a three phase project including wind turbines and a hydrogen/ammonia production facility. World Energy GH2 has an approved bid area of approximately 107 thousand hectares for the wind farm, storage and production facilities.
Important Information:
- Technical Slide Deck (PDF Document)
- Fairness Advisor Report (PDF Document)
- Wind Application Recommendation Letters for successful bidders
- Download GIS and Mapping Data for the successful bidder areas
- Guidelines Crown Land Call for Bids for Wind Energy Projects
News Releases:
- August 30, 2023: Minister Parsons Announces Companies Advancing in Wind-Hydrogen Process
- July 6, 2023: Update on Stage One of Crown Land Call for Bids for Wind-Hydrogen Development
- March 24, 2023: Update on Bids Received for Wind-Hydrogen Development
- February 23, 2023: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Releases Wind-Hydrogen Fiscal Framework
- December 14, 2022: Provincial Government Launches Crown Land Call for Bids for Wind Energy Projects
- November 7, 2022: Virtual Engagement Sessions on Land Areas of Interest for Wind Energy Projects Launching Next Week
- October 3, 2022: Update Provided on Wind Development Process
- July 26, 2022: Update Provided on Wind Development Process
Other resources:
- Renewable Energy Resource Hub
- Canadian Wind Energy Atlas
- Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro’s Generation and Transmission Maps (Newfoundland Grid and Labrador Grid)
- Reliability and Resource Adequacy Study
- Final Report – Coastal Labrador Wind Monitoring Program
Important Information and Updates:
- March 17- 2023-Removal of Caribou Brook From Call for Bids Area
- March 17, 2023 – Bid Questions and Answers
- March 17, 2023 – Wind-Hydrogen Fiscal Framework Questions and Responses
- March 16, 2023 – Removal of Cointres Brook Protected Water Supply
- March 16, 2023 – Bid Questions and Answers
- March 16, 2023 – Wind-Hydrogen Fiscal Framework Industry Virtual Session Questions and Responses
- March 9, 2023 – Bid Questions and Responses
- March 4, 2023 – Amendments to Bid Documents
- March 2, 2023 – Wind-Hydrogen Fiscal Framework Industry Virtual Session Brief
- Feb 23, 2023 – Amendments to Bid Documents
- Feb 23, 2023 – Wind-Hydrogen Fiscal Framework Technical Brief
- Feb 7, 2023 – Demonstration Map