Do you know of an econext member that should be recognized for their successes in 2022?
econext is launching its 2022 industry awards program, celebrating the businesses, researchers, and professionals building the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador over the past year.
The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
To see the awards categories and make your nomination, click the link below.
For Immediate Release
December 14, 2022
econext is marking the launch of the competitive process for access to Crown land for wind and hydrogen projects as an important day for Newfoundland and Labrador – and Canada.
“Newfoundland and Labrador can play an important role, on a global scale, in the fight against climate change,” said Kieran Hanley, econext’s CEO. “Harnessing our vast renewable wind resources will allow us to help the world decarbonize, while creating excellent jobs and business opportunities here at home.”
The competitive bid process was announced this morning by Hon. Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology. The deadline for bids is March 3, 2023. More information on the process can be found at https://www.gov.nl.ca/iet/bidding-on-crown-land-for-wind-energy-projects/.
“econext has been working very hard over the past two years to bring attention to the opportunities that this industry can provide for our province,” said Hanley, noting that Newfoundland and Labrador has all of the pieces in place to make it highly attractive for development: untapped renewable energy resources, a clean electricity grid, deep water and ice-free ports, existing infrastructure and a capable workforce, proximity to key markets, and abundance of land and water.
“Our provincial government should be commended for the work that it has done through 2022 to bring us to this point,” said Hanley. “It has worked efficiently to get the necessary processes and policies in place, putting the province in a position to attract investment and become a world leader in hydrogen production.”
While much work and many steps remain before any projects are considered for approval, Hanley says it is important to celebrate the milestones when they are achieved. “We wish all parties the best of luck in this competitive process and look forward to continuing our work in 2023 to support the growth of this industry in our province.”
econext is a not-for-profit association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, working on behalf of over 200 members to envision, support, and drive environmentally sustainable economic development within the province. More information about econext can be found at https://econext.ca.
Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
CEO
kieran@econext.ca
Join us in celebrating your hard work this year and connect with econext members and friends at our Christmas Networking Event
The annual econext Christmas Networking Event will take place at Piatto Duckworth Street from 5 pm – 8 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Refreshments and light hors d’eourves will be served. Space is limited and tickets are free for members.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you to our sponsor: Compusult
**Please note: This event is for econext members ONLY**
(from the Energy NL website)
During the final week of October, a delegation of representatives from Energy NL and econext travelled to Germany and the Netherlands to learn more about the emerging global wind and hydrogen industry. The purpose of the trade mission was to better understand the supply chain requirements for the industry, build upon previously established partnerships, and identify potential export markets in Europe for Newfoundland and Labrador’s renewable energy products.
The group spent a total of five days in Germany and the Netherlands, including visits to the City of Hamburg and the Port of Rotterdam and surrounding sites. During the visit the delegation met with like-minded organizations, visited renewable energy facilities, and toured several ports designed to import hydrogen from jurisdictions such as Newfoundland and Labrador.
The mission kicked off in Germany where members met with officials from ABO Wind and toured the Spreeau Wind Farm, east of Berlin. The group visited the Port of Rostock, a large industrial port on the Baltic Sea which is preparing to become one of the champions for hydrogen import and supply in Germany. This port has been approved for a European Union funded project to transform to a carbon-free energy supply and storage port, which includes the construction of an electrolysis plant for hydrogen production. In Hamburg, Germany, discussion took place with various local development organizations and private sector companies that are preparing for the hydrogen economy and looking to establish Hamburg as a green hydrogen hub.
While in the Netherlands, the delegation visited DOB Academy, a local training institution developed to provide instruction specific to the wind industry. DOB Academy has been proposed as a partner in a potential wind-hydrogen project for western Newfoundland and Labrador to help train locals for working in the renewable energy sector. Another highlight of the Netherlands portion of the itinerary was a tour of the Port of Rotterdam – the largest port in Europe – led by the Port of Rotterdam Authority. The Port of Rotterdam has been a trailblazer in the development of hydrogen and other energy carriers and port officials are keen to develop and foster relationships with Newfoundland and Labrador, and in particular, connect with potential project developers.
Being on the ground in Europe it became clear to delegates that the demand for clean energy sources in Europe is very real, and massive. There is significant potential for green hydrogen and associated carrier fuels, and Newfoundland and Labrador has the opportunity to be a major global supplier. Many groups and individuals in Germany and the Netherlands consider Newfoundland and Labrador to be a leading jurisdiction to supply Europe with clean hydrogen.
Trade missions, such as this one, offer an invaluable perspective and unique opportunity to share information and establish partnerships as we prepare to take full advantage of the emerging hydrogen industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. Energy NL and econext look forward to working collaboratively and building upon the success of this mission and forging strong relationships in Europe and beyond.
econext is offering another iteration of the Caribbean Customized Consulting and Advisory Services for a limited number of companies. The services will be delivered between January and April 2023. Companies who are new to the Caribbean marketplace and are considering applying for econext’s Spring Trade Mission (May 2023) may find it beneficial to utilize this program for market research, strategy development and pre-mission virtual engagement.
Application Deadline has been Extended to January 11, 2023
Each participant firm/organization will benefit from the following services:
Admission criteria include:
Company participation:
This program has a limited number of spaces and requires a fair amount of commitment from companies, particularly at the outset. As such, please note the following expectations/requirements.
Companies who cannot commit to the timeline indicated below should not apply to this program.
Selected companies will be expected to:
Notes:
Please download and fill out the application below. Completed applications must be sent to abbie@econext.ca by COB on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
Amber Mackereth has worked closely with econext and its members on international business development initiatives in the past and has a wealth of experience and well-established networks throughout the Caribbean. She provides guidance to firms across Atlantic Canada on the subject of international business development, conducts international market research, and provides business matchmaking services for international trade missions. In addition to work experience in most of the English-speaking Caribbean, Amber has also lived in the Spanish-speaking markets of Cuba and Costa Rica. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish. Amber has led, or played an integral role in, the successful execution of more than 20 international trade missions, including fifteen trade missions to the Caribbean region. She has worked with more than 30 of econext’s members to develop customized market entry strategies for the Caribbean region (including English, French and Spanish-speaking markets) and has prepared research reports for NEIA focused on Caribbean Blue & Green Economy initiatives (2020); opportunities and market entry tactics for Spanish-speaking Caribbean markets (2020); and Caribbean Climate Finance.
Marlene Power, International Program Officer at MI International, Marine Institute, and MI International’s lead on engagement in the Caribbean, has worked in the business, education, development, and humanitarian sectors in multiple regions of the world for over 20 years. She has secured and managed numerous international initiatives in the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and Africa ranging from short consultancies to multi-year projects, working with a variety of clients and funders. Her experience in the Caribbean region includes projects and initiatives within the Blue and Green economy in Barbados, Grenada, Anguilla, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname across multiple sectors. In 2020, Marlene was a member of a team retained by NEIA to conduct research on Blue and Green Economy opportunities in the Caribbean Basin. Marlene has been both a participant of Trade Missions to the Caribbean as well as an organizer of various independent business development missions into the region. She is thus intimately familiar with their challenges and success factors of and brings unique perspective to the team.
Hugh Wilkinson, principal of Coral Hill LLC, is an expert in business development in emerging markets. With a focus on ‘IFI Procurement’ and the strategic pursuit of business funded by the World Bank and other IFIs, he provides end-to-end consulting in international business planning, strategic engagement, partnering, and bidding to win. His clients have included the major IFIs, foreign governments, consulting, law and technology firms, NGOs, and Canadian federal and provincial government agencies. He has been a trusted advisor and business consultant to companies like Microsoft, HP, GE, Hachette Livre, Gowlings, Dillon Consulting, and dozens of Canadian SMEs. With 30+ years’ work experience in global development, Hugh is also a specialist in the design, management, and evaluation of development projects. He has undertaken numerous market assessments throughout the English and Spanish-speaking Caribbean, led multiple project assignments in Guyana, the Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, and Belize, and maintains a broad network of contacts throughout the region. Most recently he was contracted by NEIA to conduct an in-depth analysis of markets in ten Spanish-speaking countries in the Caribbean and to provide related support to five NL CleanTech/OceanTech firms in developing and implementing strategic market plans in the region. He resides in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador.
Butland Communications is a strategic business communications consultancy focused on project planning, stakeholder relations and corporate communications. Principal consultant Marilyn Butland is a valued adviser with extensive experience in mining, aquaculture and wild fisheries, tourism, and indigenous relations in northern and rural environments. Her business acumen and sensitivity were honed over thirty years as an executive and partner in business, government and communications agencies.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and is a certified management consultant and accredited partnership broker, among other designations. She has specific environmental assessment experience with thorough public consultation processes, socio-economic situational analysis, and deep-rooted ability to connect with people with diverse interests. And an active volunteer with business and community organizations.
The Smart Grid Innovation Network Canada and econext are partnering to lead an Atlantic Canadian Delegation to All Energy 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland on May 10-11, 2023!
Event details:
All Energy UK – Engineering a Net Zero Future
Date: May 10-11, 2023
Location: SEC Centre Exhibition Way Glasgow, G3 8YW Scotland
About All-Energy
All-Energy takes pride in being the UK’s largest low carbon energy and full supply chain renewables event; while the co-located Dcarbonise is aimed at private and public sector energy end users. All-Energy Exhibition and Conference is the meeting place for the renewable and low carbon energy community. Their goal is to connect suppliers of renewable and low carbon energy solutions and policymakers to developers, investors, buyers, and a number of professionals from around the world, facilitating business and knowledge exchange right there on the show floor and will welcome professionals from a variety of sectors like hydropower, offshore/onshore wind, bioenergy, marine renewable energy, and others, coming from the UK, France, Germany, China, USA, Italy, and beyond.
All-Energy will offer an opportunity to meet, network and make connections with the renewable energy community with two days of uninterrupted business. SGIN is looking to poll our Canadian members to explore if there would be market interest to participate in our delegation.
Who will you meet?
All-Energy is the definitive event for collaboration among the renewable energy sector. With over 250 exhibitors and nearly 600 speakers across two days, it’s a chance to connect and hear from the biggest supplier and figures in our journey to reach net zero. Join companies such as ScottishPower, SSE, bp, Shell, Vestas and Siemans Gamesa alongside representatives from the offshore and onshore wind, solar energy, hydrogen industries, marine renewables, energy storage and more for All-Energy 2023. With decarbonisation being more important than ever before, it’s vital that we come together and stay part of the conversation.
Why should your company attend Enlit Europe with SGIN & Econext?
Please let us know your thoughts by completing the Expression of Interest HERE
Deadline to submit EOI: 5:00pm AST on December 5th
![](https://econext.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Caribbean-banner-01.jpg")
Since 2014, econext (formerly NEIA) has been collaborating closely with the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology (IET) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to deliver a suite of programming for Atlantic Canadian firms to pursue international business opportunities in the Caribbean region. Our Caribbean program is comprehensive, comprising in-depth market research, information sessions, customized firm-level supports, and the coordination of incoming and outgoing trade missions to markets.
Our Fall 2022 mission will see 9 organizations touch down in Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines..
For more information, visit https://econext.ca/caribbean-program/
Organizations participating in the Fall Trade Mission:
If you have any questions about the econext Fall Trade Mission to the Caribbean Region please contact Abbie Hodder, econext’s COO & Director of International Business, at Abbie@econext.ca
econext’s Environmental and Regulatory Compliance Project Management course provides practitioners with project management skills and resources through the lens of an environmental professional and customized to the regulatory conditions and requirements of Newfoundland and Labrador.
This course has been refreshed and retooled to reflect the changing regulatory frameworks and environmental expectations in both Canadian and Newfoundland and Labrador jurisdictions.
The 1-Day course includes the following modules:
Project Management Principles – A Refresher
This module re-familiarizes participants with the foundations project management necessary in order to view the practice through an environmental lens. This module includes a detailed review of the project lifecycle (the five phases of project management) and the ten project management skill areas.
Detailed Overview of the Regulatory Environment in NL
This module outlines the regulatory environment environmental professionals operate in specific to Newfoundland and Labrador. The instructor offers insight into how to navigate and interface with legislation and regulatory agencies at the provincial and federal level, the relevant regulatory agencies, the environmental assessment process, permitting frameworks, guidance documents and codes of practice, and stakeholders.
Environmental Compliance Considerations for Projects
This module provides participants with a working understand of specific compliance considerations for project components typical in Newfoundland and Labrador. While not every component will be relevant to every student and their current project, this overview will serve as an excellent resource for future work. Topics include (but are not limited to): surveying, clearing, quarries and borrow areas, culverts, waste management, drilling (geotechnical and marine environment), dust control, noise control, contingency plans, etc.
Environmental Management Systems
This module introduces the environmental management system and how they help organizations manage their environmental impacts and improve environmental performance caused by their products, services and activities through training, record management, inspections, objectives and policies. The PDCA cycle and the ISO 14000 standard are introduced and their impacts on environmental and regulatory project management are explored.
Tools for Environmental and Regulatory Project Management
This module summarizes the previous sections, addressing how environmental and regulatory compliance factor in to project management. Specific tools and guides are introduced to help course participants navigate environmental project management. These resources will be attached to the course materials as an appendix, and will be available for download in digital format for course participants.
Date: November 25, 2022
Location: St. John’s, NL
Cost:
$315 + HST for econext members
$445 + HST for non-members
Registration is open. Contact kieran@econext.ca to register.
Brian Taite, M.A.Sc., CRSP, P.Eng.
Brian is an accomplished and dedicated health, safety, environmental, regulatory and quality professional with over 30 years’ experience in the energy, construction, and mining sectors. Brian has been a consultant to a number of major mining and energy companies, government agencies and private industry for emergency preparedness and response, incident investigation, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, Auditing, SHEQ planning and technical integrity assurance.
Brian was educated at Memorial University and was admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1992, Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering in 1994 and Masters of Applied Science in Environmental Engineering in 1999.
Brian has been associated with econext since the mid 1990’s having worked as an environmental consultant for over a decade in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2006 he took on new challenges in his career in asset management with Shell Oil in the UK and Netherlands for over five years. Returning to St. John’s he worked with AMEC as a senior environmental engineer and was soon after seconded to the IOC mine in Labrador City for his first experience in the mining sector. In 2012 Brian continued his mining experience with Vale’s Long Harbour Processing Plant as the Operations Environmental Supervisor. In 2014 Brian joined WorleyParsons to develop an Environmental Management System for Alderon’s Kami Mine project and soon after took on a role as Environment & Regulatory Manager for the Hebron Topsides Project. In late 2017, Brian went back to consulting at Pinchin Ltd. as Team Leader, Environmental Due Diligence and Remediation before taking on his current role as Environmental Advisor – NSB Energy in June of 2019. Brian is currently the SSHE Advisor with the Hibernia Management Development Company (HMDC).
For Immediate Release
November 9, 2022
econext held its annual green economy conference on October 20, breaking attendance records and generating increasing interest in Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean energy opportunity.
“Our conference provided the first chance, really, for industry to learn first hand about the major clean energy developments being considered throughout our province,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO. “It was eye opening to see internationally active developers speak to the opportunity that they are seeing right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
While the prospect of wind energy development featured prominently at the conference, a number of other areas important to the province’s clean growth future were focused on as well.
“Newfoundland and Labrador has a big role to play in supporting the energy transition, on a global scale, via the raw materials that it has access to,” said Hanley. Conference attendees heard about the importance that its mineral resources have internationally, and the balance that must be struck between resource development and environmental sustainability.
The conference also focused on the opportunities for innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador within its waste management and offshore oil and gas industries. “The solutions that we develop right here in this province to address the challenges that we face… are applicable worldwide,” said Hanley. “We are making significant headway in becoming leaders in these fields.”
A theme that ran through the conference was the opportunity that Newfoundland and Labrador has in front of it to make a significant contribution in the global fight against climate change. “We are a small province in a big world,” said Hanley, “but we can punch well above our weight and make a difference. We must seize that opportunity.”
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, working on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
CEO
kieran@econext.ca
