Following a detailed assessment of 31 land nomination submissions for wind energy projects, the Provincial Government today announced the launch of a Crown land call for bids for wind energy projects.
After engaging and receiving feedback from multiple companies, the public, and Indigenous Governments and Organizations, and to ensure a fair and transparent process for all, interested companies can now submit bids for available Crown lands within the areas designated for wind development. The selected areas do not include certain known land use conflicts, such as endangered species habitat, where development may be problematic or prohibited.
Bids will be accepted from December 14, 2022 until midnight on March 3, 2023. A Phase 1 review will be conducted on all bids on criteria such as ensuring the companies have experience, financing, etc. Those companies passing Phase 1 review will proceed to the next phase beginning early April 2023. To ensure a fair, transparent, and competitive approval process, the document, “Guidelines: Crown Land Calls for Bids for Wind Energy Projects” was developed to outline the information that would be required of bidders, and how bids would be evaluated.
This Call for Bids does not award Crown land; however, successful bidders from this process will be issued a wind application recommendation letter from Industry, Energy and Technology. This letter will grant 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.
Environmental Assessment registration is not required during the call for land bids phase; however, prior to final award of Crown land, an environmental assessment will be required for wind projects over one megawatt.
The Provincial Government launched the Renewable Energy Plan in December 2021. One of the short-term commitments in the plan was to review the wind moratorium policy on the Island Interconnected Electricity System. Lifting this moratorium was the initial step in this multi-stage process to facilitate electricity-generation from wind resources in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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“Our government has taken numerous steps to enable economic development opportunities related to wind energy development. This process has been designed to enable the development of our wind energy resources in a manner that ensures the greatest long-term benefit to residents. This includes a focus on maximizing jobs and revenue for programs and services, while ensuring a competitive approach. We will continue to ensure transparency and fairness in our wind energy development process.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
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Learn more
Guidelines: Crown Land Calls for Bids for Wind Energy Projects
Ministerial Statement – Minister Parsons Announces End of Moratorium on Wind Development
News Release: Minister Parsons Launches Renewable Energy Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador
Renewable Energy Plan: Maximizing Our Renewable Future
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