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.”
“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.
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:
50 consulting hours per firm to address the unique needs of project participants. Participants will be able to select from a variety of services to generate a customized work plan of consulting service support. This support could range from mentorship and strategy development, to support with development of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and project proposals. (See attached application form below).
During the course of the consulting services cycle, the consultants will monitor relevant procurement portals regularly to identify and disseminate relevant Caribbean procurement opportunities to participating organizations in a timely fashion.
Admission criteria include:
Clear articulation of interests and objectives in the application form
Demonstrated completion of follow-up activities including exit surveys (for past participants in the econext/NEIA Caribbean Program)
Export readiness
Substantiated rationale for interest in the Caribbean region
Commitment to necessary level of effort to execute workplan
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:
Complete an introductory interview and provide the consultant with a clear and concise (one-page) description of your company’s product and service offerings to enable accurate procurement opportunity identification by January 13, 2023
Work with the consultant to develop and finalize a work plan by January 25, 2023
Maintain regular communication during the project period
Adhere to the workplan and schedule as agreed upon with the consultant
Complete a detailed exit survey upon conclusion of consulting engagement to report on activities completed, outcomes and results achieved
Companies failing to meet minimum communication criteria will forfeit their remaining consulting hours
Notes:
This is not an “on-call” consultant advisory service. Selected companies will agree (in writing) with the consultant on a clearly defined workplan for this engagement
Bios are available below for the team that will be delivering this consulting service. If you are interested in applying for this program but would like to have a preliminary call with the lead consultant, Amber Mackereth, to discuss your objectives prior to application, please do not hesitate to reach out.
There is a cost of $600+HST per firm/organization, which will be invoiced upon successful admission to the program
Applicants must be in good standing with project partners (econext, IET, ACOA)
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.
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.”
From left to right: Hon. Andrew Parsons, Jennifer Williams, Saqamaw Misel Joe, and Alex Templeton.
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.
Photos from the econext 2022 conference
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.
This Request for Proposals (the “RFP”) is being issued by the Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (“Oilco”) and its partners Energy NL and econext, collectively who have formed The Net Zero Project to assess the technical and economic implications of achieving net zero emissions offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. This client group is interested in having prospective proponents submit proposals for a CO2 Storage Resource Assessment Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Registration will be closing September 16, 2022 for the Fall mission to the Caribbean region with an intent to focus travel primarily around the business week of November 21-25, 2022.
econext is dedicating resources, thanks to $156,200 in funding from the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), to help find opportunities to reduce, reuse, repurpose, or recycle industrial waste in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Finding value in industrial waste in our province has emerged as an important area of activity for us, which we are able to explore further now thanks to funding from MMSB,” says Kieran Hanley, CEO of econext.
Hanley says that the province’s forestry, agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture industries create waste materials which are currently going to landfill. “If we can divert some of this waste from our landfills, then we can help industry become more competitive, create new business opportunities for SMEs, extend the life of our waste management infrastructure, and help the environment. It’s a win-win.”
Hanley says that in some cases technologies and processes exist that can help solve these challenges, but the rural and remote nature of many of the province’s industrial activities makes it difficult to achieve economies of scale.
“There is an opportunity for us to be innovative and to create new solutions – solutions that we can then bring to the rest of the world because we aren’t the only place in the world that faces these kinds of challenges,” says Hanley.
Hanley says that Newfoundland and Labrador has extraordinary research expertise within Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic to help develop solutions, businesses that are keen to get involved, and a thriving startup community.
“We believe that the missing piece here has been the coordination of activity – matching specific challenges with those that are inclined to try to provide solutions… and then connecting all involved with the programming and supports that are available to them to move forward their ideas” says Hanley. “econext is now able to play that role, and we are very excited to start working with our members and partners to solve some of these challenges.”
Those with an interest in this work are encouraged to contact Heather Ward, econext’s new Business Development Officer.
“We are thrilled to welcome Heather to our team,” says Hanley. “She brings a skillset and experience with her that we know will help us make this initiative a success.”
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.
(St. John’s, NL – August, 23, 2022) Energy NL and econext welcome the agreement signed today by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as a signal to the world that Newfoundland and Labrador can help supply global energy demands.
“I was proud to represent members of Energy NL today in Stephenville as the Prime Minister and Chancellor signed the Canada-Germany Hydrogen Accord between our two nations. Newfoundland and Labrador has an abundant supply of energy that can meet global demand, and do so with low-carbon and renewable energy. Being joined by Kieran Hanley, CEO of econext, to share this day was an exceptional demonstration of our ongoing collaboration and desire to support our members and produce world-class energy products. I look forward to the continued work to bring the principles of this memorandum of understanding to fruition, and the many benefits it will bring our members, province, country, and indeed the world.” Charlene Johnson, Energy NL CEO
Today, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, where they signed the Canada-German Hydrogen Accord to cooperate on renewable energy, specifically wind-to-hydrogen projects, to help meet the energy needs of Germany. The MOU is an important step in Newfoundland and Labrador providing its vast renewable energy resources to Europe and beyond.
“Through discussion papers, strategic research, policy and regulatory guidance, stakeholder engagement, and more – econext and Energy NL have been working diligently to help define the world class hydrogen production potential that exists within Newfoundland and Labrador. We are thrilled that these opportunities are gaining international interest, and we look forward to working with our partners in this province, Canada, and Germany to help realize them. Newfoundland and Labrador is well positioned to make a significant contribution to the world’s pursuit of net zero.” Kieran Hanley, econext CEO
Energy NL represents approximately 460 member organizations worldwide which are involved in the energy sector. Members are active in all areas of the supply and service sector and include a diverse representation of businesses that range from offshore supply vessels and helicopters, carbon reduction and sustainable technologies, health and safety equipment and training, engineering solutions and fabricators to law firms and human resource agencies.
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.
St. John’s (NL) – econext is working with the Ocean Startup Project to highlight industry challenges related to Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean growth economy.
The partnership is part of the Ocean Startup Challenge which aims to uncover and support early stage entrepreneurial ideas or technologies in the oceans sector. The Ocean Startup Challenge will award approximately $750,000 to founders and teams across the country. In addition to the funding, winners will receive ocean-specific programming, mentorship, one-on-one sessions with Executives-in-Residence and industry experts, networking opportunities and more.
“Our province is home to a world class cleantech cluster, with much of our technology being oceans focused,” said Kieran Hanley, CEO at econext. “It is important to recognize and build on these strengths to help solve the problems that will help fight climate change and grow our green and blue economies.” Hanley said that partnering with the Ocean Startup Project to present Innovation Spotlights will help draw attention to opportunities particularly relevant in the Newfoundland and Labrador context.
Innovation Spotlights aim to inspire and encourage prospective entrepreneurs to develop cutting-edge technologies and solve real-world problems the ocean sector is facing. These Innovation Spotlights are areas where Canadian-based innovators can achieve significant wins based on capability, natural assets and skillset, while driving change within the industry that is more sustainable and efficient.
“We are seeing really strong momentum in Canada’s ocean startup ecosystem with net-new entrepreneurs, more research being commercialized and new ocean hubs being created to foster ocean technology,” said Donald Grant, Executive Director at the Ocean Startup Project. “What we know in Canada is that there is a deep, inherent knowledge of the ocean, world-class research occurring and an awakening appetite for sustainable, innovative solutions – and that is what we are intending to leverage through the Ocean Startup Challenge and Innovation Spotlights.”
The partnership is highlighting three industry challenges, including:
The development of a more reliable and lower-cost technology and/or process to monitor and manage the subsea assets of clean energy infrastructure that will withstand the challenges presented by the North Atlantic (e.g., icebergs, geology, weather conditions). More Info
The development of a technology and/or process that allows ports to maximize the role that they can play in electricity supply and demand management to the benefit of electricity grids. More Info
The development of a technology and/or process that allows for finding value in or alternative disposal methods for plastic wastes associated with aquaculture operations. More Info
Hanley said that the Innovation Spotlights were designed to align with emerging clean growth opportunities in the province, as well as with environmental challenges it is already facing. “The solutions that we develop right here in Newfoundland and Labrador can be exported and applied worldwide; we hope to spark the interest of creative and innovative minds here in this province by putting these forward,” Hanley said.
More information on the Ocean Startup Challenge and Innovation Spotlights can be found at https://oceanstartupproject.ca/challenge/. Applications for the 2022 Ocean Startup Challenge are open until September 1, 2022 at 11:59pm ADT.
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.
Following the travel disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, econext was eager to get back on the ground in the Caribbean to pursue partnerships and opportunities.
“While we continued to offer programming during the height of the pandemic including virtual meetings, webinars, and customized consulting services, nothing replaces the value of meeting face-to-face, particularly in relationship-based economies”, says Abbie Hodder, econext’s COO and Director of International Business.
The Spring Mission saw 11 delegate organizations from across Atlantic Canada engaging in over 165 meetings across five countries in the Caribbean region – Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.
Hodder says firms in Atlantic Canada are well positioned to engage in Caribbean markets. “The products and services developed in this region can work well in other island and rural coastal environments, such as those found in the Caribbean.” Hodder notes the region faces similar challenges such as the impacts of climate change, coastal zone erosion, distance from markets, and economies that are resource dependent. “We have a long history of trade with the Caribbean, and we are working to continue and deepen that tradition.”
“Something that sets our program apart is the customized nature of our trade missions. Each delegate receives a bespoke program based on their unique objectives and opportunities. We don’t believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Atlantic Canadian companies are diverse, as are the markets we visit,” says Hodder. “There is a wealth of opportunity throughout the Caribbean in key sectors including the blue and green economy, infrastructure, and training and education. We believe that these opportunities can be successfully pursued through mutually beneficial collaborations between our regions, and that’s the crux of our programming.”
“It was a very productive trade mission,” says delegate Lisa Lovelady, Vice President Academic and COO of Academy Canada, “we look forward to following up on the new opportunities that were generated by our meetings. Academy Canada has established partnerships with local training providers as a direct result of the econext mission.”
In addition to the exploration of new partnerships and opportunities, many of the delegates were celebrating and expanding upon established connections. One such example is Velsoft’s partnership with the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Together they have recently launched the new online school “The Caribbean Tourism Institute”. Other partners such as the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association have now joined on to provide specialized skills training to the local tourism industry.
Another delegate organization, Work Safe Systems, has established a partnership with the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP), for the delivery of Health, Safety, and Environmental training and consulting. In partnership with Edgewise Environmental, they are developing unique programs to address climate action and the blue economy.
econext’s next Caribbean Trade Mission is set for November 2022.
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. econext’s Caribbean program is comprehensive, comprised of in-depth market research, information sessions, customized firm-level supports, and the coordination of incoming and outgoing trade missions. Atlantic Canadian companies with interests or questions about the econext Caribbean Program can contact Abbie Hodder at abbie@econext.ca or by visiting https://econext.ca/caribbean-program/
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca
