Update Provided on Wind Development Process

The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology is providing an update on the multi-stage process to enable wind generation in Newfoundland and Labrador.

On July 26, 2022, the Provincial Government announced a fair and transparent, multi-stage approach for enabling wind development in the province, creating an opportunity for industrial customers to generate wind energy for their own consumption and wind generation for export.

As the initial first step, the department held a call for submissions of Nominations of Areas of Interest for wind energy projects in the Province. This call for submissions closed on October 1, 2022, and the department received 31 land nomination submissions for wind energy projects.

During the next stage in the process, the Provincial Government will complete a detailed assessment to determine which land packages will be made available for this first round of the competitive land bid process. This will be informed through a review of the proposed use of the nominated land, a review of the existing land uses in nominated areas, and through engagement with communities and Indigenous partners. The call for bid process is expected to be launched on December 15, 2022. More information on the competitive land bid process, including what criteria will be followed for the bid process will be available in the coming weeks. No Crown lands have been approved, and they will not be awarded until a competitive bid process occurs.

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“This multi-stage, transparent approach is working to ensure a fair process for those interested in exploring industrial developments in Newfoundland and Labrador. The province’s resources belong to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and this competitive approach is being utilized in a manner that provides the greatest long-term benefit to residents of the province as we work to ensure the responsible development of our clean, renewable energy resources to meet global demand.”

Honorable Andrew Parsons

Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology