Natural Resources Canada has drafted a technical requirements paper to detail to government, stakeholder and Indigenous participants the proposed requirements that will form the basis of future regulations for offshore renewable energy projects. The paper can be downloaded here. The requirements are divided into the following parts:
General Requirements
Site Assessment Activities Requirements
Transportation, Construction, Installation and Commissioning Activities Requirements
Operations and Maintenance Activities Requirements
Decommissioning, Repowering, and/or Life Extension Activities Requirements
NRCan is seeking feedback on these proposed requirements to ensure future regulations follow the highest standards, are comprehensive and enforceable, and are flexible enough to respond to a rapidly changing sector.
econext will be providing NRCan feedback based on the perspectives of its members and partners, and needs your help! Please contact econext’s Executive Director Kieran Hanley at kieran@econext.ca with any comments and/or feedback that you may have by Friday, February 18, 2022.
In 2018, econext introduced a renewed industry awards program, celebrating the businesses, researchers, and professionals building the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Do you know of an econext member and/or environmental practitioner that should be recognized for their successes?
econext is launching its 2021 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 Tuesday, March 01, 2022
The nomination process is simple and you can do so by clicking here
Awards Categories
Cleantech Innovation Award
This award, open to business and academia, recognizes clean technology innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador. Innovations can be recognized at any stage of development – from research and development, to commercialization, to refinement – of products, services, or processes that can mitigate effects to, protect, or enhance the environment. The award is judged according to the uniqueness of the innovation, the potential for positive environmental impact, and the potential for commercial application.
This award recognizes a significant initiative or achievement of a business engaged in Newfoundland and Labrador’s green economy. Initiatives or achievements could include the completion of specific business projects that have a positive environmental impact, business growth milestones (e.g. new sales, workforce expansion), or a contribution to the community from a sustainability or corporate social responsibility perspective. The award is judged according to the initiative or achievement’s impact as it relates to economic growth and development, positive environmental effects, and public awareness of green economy and environmental challenges or opportunities.
This award recognizes a significant initiative or achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador business engaged in international business activities relating to cleantech or environmental services. Initiatives or achievements could include export success, diversification into new sectors or markets, collaborative research and development, or the establishment of international partners be it through joint-venture, licensing, etc. The award is judged according to the relative impact of the internationalization activity for the individual business and/or the industry at-large.
This award recognizes the contribution of an individual (e.g. an environmental practitioner, business owner, decision-maker, etc.) to the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s environmental industry. Contributions can be considered from a practitioner, economic development, or regulatory perspective. Champions can be recognized for singular contributions or the culmination of their activities over a period of time. The award is judged according to the contribution (over and above commercial success), its associated positive environmental effects, and its lasting impact on the industry.
Submit your form to NEIA’s Executive Director, Kieran Hanley at kieran@neia.org
2019 Industry Awards Nominations Deadline:
Nominations must be received by 5:00pm on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Award decisions are made by an ad hoc volunteer committee.
Previous Awards Programming
From 2002-2008, NEIA ran an awards program recognizing member achievements and excellence. Past winners of these awards include:
Capacity Building Award
Building and growing a company that provides environmental services and/or products presents unique challenges. This award is presented to a corporation with a proven record of building the environment sector in Newfoundland and Labrador and in improving its competitive position in local and/or international markets through a commitment to excellence and strategic growth investment.
2008 – Northeast Avalon ACAP
2007 – Rogers Enterprises Ltd.
2006 – Hi-Point Industries
2005 – Island Waste Management Inc.
2004 – Sikumiut Environmental Management Ltd.
2002 – Newfound Disposal Systems Ltd.
Environmental Performance in Newfoundland and Labrador
Environmental leadership often brings an improved bottom line and embracement by clients and the local community. This award is presented to a company that has gone beyond environmental compliance and has demonstrated a commitment to improved environmental performance.
2008 – Waste Management of Canada Corporation
2007 – Newfoundland Power
2006 – BAE Newplan Group
2005 – Abitibi Consolidated
2004 – Newfoundland Power
2002 – Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited (Industry)
2002 – Ever Green Recycling (Community)
Individual Contribution to the Environmental Industry in Newfoundland and Labrador
To achieve success, every organization or movement needs champions to lead, provide wisdom and help turn ideals and innovation into reality. In the Newfoundland and Labrador environmental industry, these types of individual efforts have been critical to the forward development and growth of both our industry association and the environment sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. This award is presented to an individual who is, or has been, a key force in developing the environmental industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
econext is commending the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology on the publication today of Newfoundland and Labrador’s renewable energy plan.
“Newfoundland and Labrador has what the world needs,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s Executive Director. “This province has a wealth of yet-to-be-developed renewable energy resources that can help sectors and nations meet their environmental objectives and commitments.”
Click here to download Newfoundland and Labrador’s renewable energy plan.
Hanley notes that the challenge has always been around getting these resources to those that need and want them. “New markets, increased environmental pressures on industry, and the emergence of clean fuels are presenting us with new opportunities for the export of our clean energy,” said Hanley. “There are enormous opportunities here for us to grow and diversify our economy – and it’s important that we now have a plan in place to achieve our potential.”
Throughout the Fall, econext engaged within its membership and network – meeting with developers, suppliers, utilities, and subject matter experts – to submit a series of comprehensive recommendations to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in the development of its plan.
Click here to download econext‘s recommendations to government towards the development of its plan.
“We were very pleased to see that much of what our membership had to say was ultimately reflected in the plan,” said Hanley. “This is an important step forward for Newfoundland and Labrador.”
“We commend Minister Parsons and his team for their work this Fall, and look forward to working in partnership towards an economically-sound future for our province and the environment. ”
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. econext works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley, Executive Director, econext kieran@econext.ca
econext and its industry partners have developed and released a new tool to help businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador attract and retain the talent and workers that they need to sustain their growth and succeed.
Learn about:
What competitive compensation and benefits look like;
Where to post your job openings;
Programs to help you hire new grads and professionals from outside of the country;
The importance of inclusively and diversity in the workplace;
How work environments, perks, and growth opportunities are factors for your employees;
and more!
Visit TechHires.ca to learn about the latest programs and resources that are readily available to you and your business to address your people needs!
econext has submitted a series of 36 recommendations for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to consider in the development of a new renewable energy plan.
“Newfoundland and Labrador has what the world needs,” said Kieran Hanley, econext’s Executive Director. “We have a wealth of undeveloped renewable energy resources that can help sectors and nations meet their environmental objectives and commitments.”
Hanley said that up until now the options for development within the province have been limited, but the increasing demand for clean energy in both electricity grids and industrial activity – along with the prospect of using renewables for the production and export of clean fuels – “opens new doors for us”.
“Discussions around concepts like net zero, energy transition, decarbonization, green jobs, and so on… are intensifying and accelerating rapidly worldwide,” said Hanley. “From hydro, to wind, to wave – we have excellent resources to offer, and so the simple question becomes: how do we get what we have to the people that need it?”
Hanley said that the economic growth and diversification potential for Newfoundland and Labrador associated with the growth of the renewable energy sector could not be understated. “We have before us an enormous opportunity to fundamentally change our economy,” said Hanley.
Following a series of meetings and engagements with renewable energy developers, suppliers, providers, and other stakeholders throughout October and November, one theme consistently emerged. “In order for Newfoundland and Labrador to meet its potential, we have to find ways for industry to get more involved in the planning and development of renewable energy” said Hanley, noting that how the province regulates the sector will need to change.
“Should we seize the moment, econext believes that the future is bright for Newfoundland and Labrador – but it will require vision and bold steps forward.” Hanley said he hopes that econext’s recommendations are valuable in helping the provincial government create that vision.
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. econext works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
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Media Contact Kieran Hanley, Executive Director, econext kieran@econext.ca
(ST. JOHN’S, NL) – econext is extending a congratulations to one of its members this morning following a major investment announcement.
Mysa announced today the closing of a $20.3 million Series B equity funding round which will help the company develop new products and services and expand its international marketing and distribution channels.
“We are very proud of what Mysa has been able to accomplish,” said Kieran Hanley, econext’s Executive Director. “The fact that this company, in a relatively short period of time, has grown from its two co-founders to employing a diverse team of 96 and growing… is nothing short of inspiring.”
Hanley said that Mysa is helping to show entrepreneurs and startups in Newfoundland and Labrador that there is no limit to what they can achieve. “This province’s technology sector is thriving, and as we move towards a cleaner economy the opportunities in front of cleantech developers will be substantial.”
Hanley noted that Mysa has helped to give back to the community even during times of accelerated growth – becoming the first business in Newfoundland and Labrador to achieve carbon neutrality and representing the cleantech sector at-large through support of econext.
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. econext works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
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Media Contact Kieran Hanley, Executive Director, econext kieran@econext.ca
The Provincial Government is inviting input from stakeholders and the public on the development of a renewable energy plan to provide a sustainable long-term vision for Newfoundland and Labrador to maximize its renewable energy future.
econext is encouraging its members to participate in the stakeholder engagement. “Newfoundland and Labrador has an abundance of clean energy resources that, if developed, would do much to grow and diversify this province’s economy,” says Kieran Hanley, econext‘s Executive Director. “Now is the time to develop our priorities and make the necessary changes that are required to unlock this province’s potential.”
Hanley says that econext members should ‘think big’ with their ideas and feedback. “The resulting renewable energy plan will only be as good as the input provided to decision-makers during the stakeholder engagement,” noted Hanley, “and so it is very important that the private sector put its best food forward over the course of the next 10 days.”
Hanley said that members should consider how government can help enable private sector led renewable energy projects (e.g. supporting policies, removal of regulatory barriers, etc.) – with the understanding that domestic electricity needs are already largely met through clean energy sources. “Let’s think big, but let’s also focus on the clear and present opportunities.”
The stakeholder engagement continues until Thursday, November 4, 2021. Feedback can be provided via engageNL.ca, which includes an online questionnaire and the option of providing a written submission.
Hanley notes that econext will be submitting a series of recommendations to government on behalf of its membership, and asks that members participating in the stakeholder engagement also send their feedback to kieran@econext.ca.
“The emerging importance of clean fuels like hydrogen in the global fight against climate change, and increasing regional electricity demands and cooperation, are opening new doors for the development of renewable energy resources,” says Hanley. “Newfoundland and Labrador is in an excellent position to give the world what it needs – it’s time to take concrete action to seize these opportunities.”
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. econext works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley, Executive Director, econext kieran@econext.ca
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.
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)
Completed applications must be sent to abbie@econext.ca by COB on Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Please fill out the application below
Consulting Team
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.
To inform the development of Newfoundland and Labrador’s renewable energy plan, econext will be hosting a renewable energy strategy roundtable at its 2021 conference on October 22.
“Newfoundland and Labrador has a rich cache of undeveloped renewable energy resources,” said Kieran Hanley, econext’s Executive Director. “Unlocking that potential opens the door to enormous economic growth opportunity for our province.”
Hanley said that industry’s expertise will be vital in informing the provincial plan. “Our members can draw on their knowledge and experiences working on renewable energy projects across the world – insight that Newfoundland and Labrador decision-makers need to use for inspiration and guidance.”
The roundtable, a special component of the econext 2021 conference, will be a facilitated discussion open to industry representatives only. The discussion will serve to inform econext‘s formal submission to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for consideration in the development of its renewable energy plan.
Industry representatives interested in participating in the roundtable can contact Kieran Hanley at kieran@econext.ca. More details on the econext 2021 conference can be found by clicking here.
econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. econext works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley, Executive Director, econext kieran@econext.ca
Background
The Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology has indicated that the provincial government will be moving forward with the development of a renewable energy plan:
“Our province has an abundance of developed and undeveloped renewable energy resources, as well as experience and expertise in our technology and energy sectors. Newfoundland and Labrador is well positioned to advance our status as a Clean Energy Centre of Excellence, leading in the global energy transition. In order to leverage this opportunity, create employment opportunities for our residents, and ensure that our Province’s clean energy resources are developed in a responsible, sustainable fashion, we need a plan guided by industry expertise and the unique perspective of stakeholders.”
A virtual consultation process will take place between October 15 to November 4, 2021. More information on this upcoming engagement can be found here.
