Category: News Release

For Immediate Release
February 2, 2021

(ST. JOHN’S, NL) – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) has released a discussion paper on the opportunities for the province related to the supply and demand of hydrogen.

“Hydrogen is a fuel that emits no greenhouse gas emissions when used, and can be produced via processes that result in zero emissions” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “For these reasons, it is anticipated that hydrogen will play a very important role in the energy transition and the pursuit of net zero by the year 2050.”

Hanley said that nations and major corporations worldwide have been developing strategies and making investments in anticipation of major growth in the hydrogen economy, with activity intensifying since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada released its own hydrogen strategy in December.

“With its abundance of energy resources we believe that Newfoundland and Labrador has great potential to be a significant player in the growing hydrogen industry,” said Hanley. “This may represent an important opportunity for the growth and diversification of our province’s economy – and further investigation is warranted.”

Hanley said the intent of the discussion paper is to create a broader awareness within the province on what the possibilities may be for the production and/or consumption of hydrogen – and what further explorations are required to narrow in on and define the real opportunities.

Download Discussion Paper

“These are just the first steps in the development of a hydrogen strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Hanley, noting that business and individuals with an interest in the subject should contact the association. “We hope to engage stakeholders in a discussion on the opportunities outlined in this document in the weeks and months to come – and would value any insight that you can provide.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley, Executive Director NEIA
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
January 7, 2021

St. John’s, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA), Noia, and the Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador are working together to accelerate awareness and the pursuit of clean technology opportunities in Canada’s offshore oil and gas industry. The organizations formed a joint committee in 2019 to work collaboratively and identify priorities to advance clean technology in the offshore oil and gas industry.

In 2020, the organizations received support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology, and the Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador to engage in a series of important studies related to clean technology in the offshore.

Two key studies were recently completed: the feasibility of powering future offshore oil and gas operations with clean electricity from shore; and powering existing and future operations with offshore wind energy. The initial results from this research were made public during Noia’s Virtual Fall Seminar held November 18, 2020 and were favourably received by attendees. The reports by Aker Solutions and Intecsea, the companies which undertook the studies, are now available for viewing here.

Additional studies are also ongoing and focused on: defining the region’s clean tech research and development strengths relevant to the oil and gas industry; emerging environmental performance measurements and expectations to ensure the local supply chain maintains its competitiveness internationally; and recommendations on regulatory and innovation support frameworks that will drive and enable clean growth within the industry.

Information obtained from these studies will help lay the foundation for the industry to develop its approach to helping the province and country achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

QUOTES

“Newfoundland and Labrador is set to become a clean tech capital of Canada, building on the success of fintech companies like Verafin, working in our Offshore to lower emissions, and driving global competitiveness.”
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Effective collaboration between our offshore energy and environmental sectors positions our province to be a global leader in the development of clean technology. This commitment to advancing clean tech is critical for the province to achieve our 2050 objectives. It also creates good, well-paying jobs, ensuring Newfoundlanders and Labradorians benefit from the transition to a lower carbon global economy”
The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

“As global environmental carbon emission targets tighten, Newfoundland and Labrador is presenting a more competitive barrel of oil to the world energy market. It’s important we continue to innovate in this area to ensure our prospective assets contribute to the supply of lower emission crude resources globally while providing attractive investment returns to the people of this province.”
Jim Keating, Acting CEO, Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador

“A collaborative approach of working with NEIA and Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador demonstrates the commitment of the offshore oil and gas industry to contribute the innovation required to further lower emissions of our already low carbon product. The preliminary results of these studies are exciting and we look forward to using the ingenuity, knowledge, and skills built through decades of working in the offshore to make our industry a global leader in providing a world-class energy product with a low carbon impact.”
Charlene Johnson, CEO, Noia

“Our offshore oil and gas industry has an important role to play in Canada’s energy transition. There are enormous opportunities within it for the development and application of clean technologies. Newfoundland and Labrador could become a global leader in this space, and this work is intended to help establish next steps in that pursuit.”
Kieran Hanley, Executive Director, NEIA

BACKGROUND

The following five studies are the current focus of the committee:

Evaluating the Technical Feasibility of the Electrification of FPSO Vessels Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
A preliminary FEED level of analysis identifying challenges that will arise from electrifying a greenfield FPSO for two potential developments. The two greenfield “power from shore” development scenarios are a development in the West Orphan Basin with a point of interconnection (POI) at the Soldier’s Pond Station, and a potential development in the Labrador Sea with a POI at the Muskrat Falls generating station.

Evaluating the Technical Feasibility of Wind Energy to Electrify Oil and Gas Production Facilities Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
A scoping study of electrifying offshore oil and gas production facilities via the development and installation of offshore wind farms and the technical challenges this will encompass. This research includes recommendations for specific equipment and design criteria that should be implemented in four different contexts: one brownfield scenario, and three greenfield scenarios.

Understanding current activity and capacity in clean technology research, development, and innovation in Canada’s Offshore Oil and Gas Industry
Research that will compile and thematically represent the research, development, and innovation capacity of Canada’s offshore oil and gas industry as it relates to clean technology. This will include an identification of areas of strength or emerging strength in the Atlantic region (e.g. by specific subject matter and/or collective capabilities) that can be leveraged to drive clean growth within the industry.

Delineating emerging environmental requirements and expectations in the offshore oil and gas supply chain
Understanding the related emerging requirements and expectations for supply chain participants will help ensure the competitiveness of firms in Atlantic Canada – or help local firms gain a competitive advantage. This is important from both the perspective of firms maintaining their market share in domestic oil and gas supply chains, and for firms engaging internationally.

Identifying regulatory and support ecosystem initiatives from leading jurisdictions supporting clean technology innovation in the offshore oil and gas industry
This work will help stakeholders gain an understanding of what deliberate interventions related to clean tech were made (by leading global jurisdictions) to foster innovation, attract investment, diversify the supply chain, and enhance long-term environmental performance within the industry. This will be compared to the regulatory and innovation support ecosystem in Atlantic Canada, and a series of recommendations will be made to drive and/or enable clean growth within the local industry.

Media contacts:

Eric Humber
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-2691
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

Ken Morrissey, Senior Advisor Communications, Research and Policy
Mobile: 709-725-5172 | kmorrissey@noia.ca | @NoiaNL

For Immediate Release
December 17, 2020

Today, techNL (formerly NATI) is announcing first steps towards the creation of an Innovation Centre for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, bringing together the talent and opportunities found across our economy, including technology, oil and gas, ocean, clean energy, and other sectors.

The Innovation Centre initiative is led by techNL, the province’s technology and innovation industry association, in partnership with: Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA); Canada’s Ocean Supercluster; Newfoundland and Labrador Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA); Petroleum Resources Newfoundland and Labrador (PRNL); Newfoundland and Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association (Noia); and others. Funding has been earmarked from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the provincial Department of Industry, Energy and Technology to support two Request for Proposals (RFPs), to be issued by techNL in the coming weeks. The first RFP will help finalize the key activities, programs, and a governance model for the Innovation Centre operations. The second RFP will seek proposals for the physical space where the Innovation Centre will be located.

Establishing an Innovation Centre will bring together industry, academia, and supporting organizations, to raise our collective capacity to drive innovation, commercialization, and competition. Through knowledge transfer and sharing of ideas, new opportunities emerge, and natural collisions occur. In an era where being agile and pivoting quickly is critical, the Innovation Centre will not only identify new commercial opportunities, but will provide efficiencies, learning opportunities, and will act as a focal point to attract investment and international delegations.

The Innovation Centre will showcase Newfoundland and Labrador as an epicentre of innovation and technology, and provide space for local, national, and international innovation events to occur. This presence will help build our province’s reputation and demonstrate that innovation is happening here and supporting the attraction of investment and talent.

At this initial stage of the process, the Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing $91,000 and the provincial government, through the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, is contributing $26,000 to this initiative.

Quotes

“The digital economy means that an investment in the tech sector is an investment in all sectors. The establishment of an Innovation Centre will help sustain and build upon the extraordinary momentum we have seen in the sector and will translate into a significant impact on the overall NL economy.”
– Paul Preston, CEO, techNL

“Today’s announcement is evidence of what can be achieved when partners can come together around a common objective and vision. This Innovation Centre will be a home for that collaborative spirit, and will drive economic growth for Newfoundland and Labrador for many years to come. NEIA is excited about what the future holds for this province.”
– Kieran Hanley, Executive Director, Newfoundland & Labrador Environmental Industry Association

“Newfoundland and Labrador tech companies are competing on the world stage and creating high paying jobs here at home. The Innovation Centre initiative will help techNL and its partners drive industry-leading innovation and business growth in our province.”
– Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“This unprecedented collaboration highlights the importance of building and strengthening our province’s emerging tech sector. By aligning talent and opportunities found in a variety of industries, we are enhancing our collective capacity to drive current R&D, and help kick-start tomorrow’s tech leaders. This vision of establishing an Innovation Centre in Newfoundland and Labrador only validates that world-class innovation is happening right here at home.”
– The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The importance of supporting and developing talent in the tech sector is vital to the growth of the industry in our province. There’s an innovative energy building in Newfoundland and Labrador, and together with industry, academia, and supporting organizations, this vision of an Innovation Centre will further strengthen our innovative R&D capabilities, and be a catalyst in our province’s economic growth in the future.”
– The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“Innovation hubs across Canada help drive collaborative, outcomes-focused activity to increase commercialization and accelerate global leadership. We have seen a number of new hubs established around the world in the last 12 months. This is an important step in Newfoundland and Labrador’s journey to realize significant opportunities in the digital ocean and in the digital economy more broadly and we are excited to see this process move forward.”
– Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

“Innovation is a driver of our industries, including the offshore oil and gas industry, and bringing together the leading sectors of Newfoundland and Labrador via an Innovation Centre will have an extremely positive impact upon our people, our province, and our economy.”
– Charlene Johnson, CEO Noia

“A centre like this, bringing together different companies and people and ideas, can spark all kinds of new innovation. We’re excited to see where it can go.”
– Dave Finn, CEO, Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador (PRNL)

“Aquaculture is the fastest-growing and most environmentally friendly form of animal protein production in the world. As farmers of the sea we are continually investing in innovative technologies through every aspect of the value chain – from egg to plate. Being physically located with other industry associations in a collaborative environment will further enable the development of cross sectoral solutions and facilitate product development”
– Mark Lane, Executive Director, Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association.

For Immediate Release
December 14, 2020

(ST. JOHN’S, NL) – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is leading an international business development mission to the United Kingdom to help businesses from Atlantic Canada explore opportunities in growing offshore wind energy industry.

“The livelihoods of Atlantic Canadians have always been linked to the ocean,” said Abbie Hodder, NEIA’s Manager of International Business Development, “and the skills and expertise that have been developed here are world-class and highly exportable.”

Hodder says that firms from Atlantic Canada are well positioned to participate in international offshore wind energy supply chains. “The technologies, products, and services required in offshore wind are quite similar to that which we would see in our offshore oil and gas industry – and so there are opportunities for firms in the Atlantic provinces to diversify into a new industry and into new markets.”

Hodder says NEIA’s efforts to assist firms are based on research it commissioned to better understand what types of firms could see success in the industry and how they could compete.

Related:

• REPORT – Opportunities for Atlantic Canadian firms to penetrate the offshore wind supply chain based in Europe

Momentum in the international offshore wind industry has continued to build despite the global pandemic. In the United Kingdom – already a hotbed of activity for the industry – a bold new plan is being pursued to have offshore power every home by offshore wind by 2030.

“Our Government is working to support greater international market access for more of Newfoundland and Labrador’s innovative and ambitious firms – providing businesses with the tools they need to compete and succeed in global markets,” said the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology. “The United Kingdom is an important market for us, with the recent signing of a Canada-UK Continuity Agreement ensuring our companies can take advantage of export opportunities, like those our partner NEIA is promoting.”

NEIA’s virtual mission is taking a geographic approach over the course of two weeks, with a different region being focused on each day based on the unique opportunities in each area. “The East of England is expected to see $37 billion in investment before the end of the decade, while Northern Scotland is increasingly focusing on floating technologies,” said Hodder. “Each region has unique opportunities for Atlantic Canadian firms, and through this mission we are working directly with them to help identify and pursue those opportunities.”

This virtual trade mission was made possible through the support of the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) as part of a multi-year project to promote offshore export development initiatives.

“We’re helping businesses from Atlantic Canada build opportunities in offshore wind energy,” said the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA. “This is how we create good jobs and get to net zero by 2050.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley:
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
December 9, 2020

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) has launched 2020’s iteration of Newleef – the province’s clean technology and green technology conference.

“We know that the stresses and demands on businesses have been substantial since the onset of the pandemic, and so we are trying something a bit different with our conference this Fall,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “We have some excellent content prepared and we thought it would be most valuable if we made it available for on-demand viewing, at a time most convenient for conference participants.”

Hanley said that registrants gain access to a series of 16 curated presentations that help define and explore clean growth opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador. “This year the conference focuses on four distinct themes that are timely with respect to both the province’s economic circumstances and the trends that we are seeing internationally,” said Hanley. “We are exploring opportunities related to electrification, hydrogen, and offshore cleantech – while also providing participants with information on a number of firm-level supports that can help them advance their objectives.”

The conference can be accessed at www.newleef.ca. Registrants will have permanent access to the conference content through 2021.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
September 25, 2020

ST. JOHN’S (NL) – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is expressing its support for the Federal government’s contribution of $320 million to help Canada’s offshore oil and gas industry.

“Minister O’Regan talked quite a bit today about the potential for Canada’s offshore oil and gas industry as it relates to the low-carbon economy of the future,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “We couldn’t agree more; it has long been our position that Newfoundland and Labrador can be a global leader in the energy transition.”

Hanley said that the offshore oil and gas industry is the centrepiece of the province’s clean growth strategy. “The success of this industry provides the basis from which we can strategically diversify our economy.” A commitment to being one of the most environmentally sustainable oil and gas jurisdictions in the world, said Hanley, opens the door to new cleantech investment, innovation, and opportunity for the province.

“Newfoundland and Labrador is in a much stronger position to develop new clean technologies, pursue new renewable energy projects, and enter into the emerging hydrogen economy with a thriving offshore oil and gas industry,” said Hanley, “and so we welcome the support that the Federal government has come to the table with today.”

Hanley says that NEIA has worked tirelessly with industry partners this year to help envision what clean growth looks like within the province’s offshore oil and gas sector. “We look forward to continuing this work, and having the opportunity to provide our perspective on how this investment can be deployed to future-proof the industry… and enable long-term success by turning the province into a hub of clean growth innovation.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
August 31, 2020

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) during the week of August 24-28, 2020. The AGM featured the election of its Board of Directors.

“NEIA’s Board of Directors guides the strategic activities of NEIA,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “With a world looking to ‘build back better’ from the hardships caused by COVID-19 – pushing projects and initiatives that are both economically and environmentally sustainable – it is an important time for our organization.”

Newly elected members of the Board of Directors include: Kris Costello (Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador); Don Drew (Newco Metal & Auto Recycling); Ashley Noseworthy (EDGEWISE Environmental); Deidre Puddister (Pennecon Limited); and Justin So (Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions). These new Directors join Chad Butler (Growler Energy); Melissa English-Barbour (Aker Solutions); and Joshua Green (Mysa Smart Thermostats). Officers of the Board will be established during its first meeting.

Hanley says that there is much work for NEIA and its Board to accomplish in pursuit of a series recommendations it made in June for Newfoundland and Labrador’s economic recovery (see: https://econext.ca/neia-submits-economic-recovery-recommendations-for-newfoundland-and-labrador/).

“Unquestionably our province is facing significant challenges right now,” said Hanley. “But this area of clean growth and clean technology is one where there is great potential for Newfoundland and Labrador. I look forward to working on behalf of NEIA’s new board to make a tangible positive impact.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at www.neia.org.

Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
June 24, 2020

ST. JOHN’S (NL) – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) has provided provincial and federal decision-makers with its vision for a clean growth economic recovery for the province.

“There is a growing sense that investments being made into economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis in Canada should not just provide short term work as stimulus, but also longer term benefits for both economy and environment,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Executive Director. “NEIA agrees with that sentiment, and we are offering a series of specific recommendations for the consideration of decision-makers in that regard.”

The recommendations range from accelerating electrification efforts to investing in regional transmission infrastructure to unlock the potential of the province’s wealth of renewable energy assets. “We have identified a number of initiatives that we believe can significantly contribute to the diversification of Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy, and position us as one of the leading clean growth jurisdictions in the world,” said Hanley.

In some cases, like finding value from waste materials, the recommendations leverage existing strengths of the sector. In other cases, it is recommended that steps be quickly taken to define new areas of economic opportunity for the province – such as the production of hydrogen.

Download Recommendations

An important component of the recommendations is investment into a deliberate energy transition for Newfoundland and Labrador, of which Canada’s offshore oil and gas industry needs to be a key driver said Hanley. “Our offshore industry provides the basis from which enormous clean growth and diversification is possible,” said Hanley. “Its commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 – backed by its substantial resources and the experience and expertise found within it – can lead to transformational change for Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy.” If the industry’s immediate future is threatened, said Hanley, so too are the province’s best chances of becoming a global clean growth leader.

Hanley said that NEIA’s recommendations stem from work related to the ongoing development of a growth strategy for the clean technology and environmental services sector. “For the past year we have been working within our membership, key industry stakeholders, and our government partners towards the development of a plan to stimulate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Hanley. “So these recommendations are not just a reaction to thee current crisis; they are based on a significant amount of information we have accrued and analyzed since last summer.”

“I would like to thank NEIA’s members for the time, effort, and expertise that they have provided in helping craft these recommendations for Newfoundland and Labrador’s economic recovery.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
May 29, 2020

ST. JOHN’S (NL) – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is celebrating a commitment by the provincial government to achieve net zero by 2050. “This is a significant announcement that will energize the province’s cleantech sector and reduce Newfoundland and Labrador’s contribution to climate change,” said NEIA’s Executive Director Kieran Hanley.

On Tuesday Premier Ball revealed that the province had sent a letter to the Prime Minister indicating that the province was committing to achieving the 2050 net zero target.

Related:

• Letter from Premier Ball to Prime Minister Trudeau

‘Net zero’ refers to the striking of a balance within a jurisdiction between greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) produced and GHGs eliminated or taken out of the atmosphere. This commitment will challenge all sectors of the economy to reduce their environmental footprint, said Hanley. “Industries will need to be embrace new innovative ideas to reduce their emissions, presenting a substantial growth opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador’s cleantech sector”.

“In some cases, particularly within heavy industry, reduction to zero emissions is simply not be feasible.” Hanley said this opens the door for investment into ‘offsets’ or new projects and initiatives within the province that will result in the corresponding reduction of emissions.

“A commitment to net zero can be transformative for our province,” said Hanley. “The continued success of our offshore oil and gas industry, for example, will be inextricably linked to the advancement of Newfoundland and Labrador’s clean growth economy.”

Hanley says that there is a lot of learning and education that will need to take place for industries, businesses, and other organizations to understand what a net zero policy means for their operations over time. “NEIA looks forward to working with its partners across the province to help provide that education and guidance,” said Hanley.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org