The department of Energy and Mines is extending the application period for the submission of proposals to accelerate the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore. The period for the submission of applications for either stream of funding is being extended to January 31, 2025, to provide proponents with further opportunity to prepare and submit their applications. This is a cost-shared funding initiative through which Energy and Mines will contribute a maximum of 75 per cent towards project costs with the remaining balance provided by Proponents either through their own or other sources.

Unless otherwise indicated in writing by Energy and Mines, the terms, conditions and requirements of the Challenge as defined in the Call for Proposals continue to apply, and the submission of a response to this RFP shall constitute acknowledgement and acceptance of these terms, conditions, and requirements.

Details for this RFP can be found here: Request for Proposals – Issued September 20, 2024.

Please note, that even if you have not submitted a prior EOI under this stream, you are eligible to apply under this call should the project meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the attached document.

The CCUS Innovation Challenge (“the Challenge”) will provide financial support to businesses, organizations, and post-secondary institutions to complete research and development projects into the feasibility of CCUS in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore. The program will de-risk investment into the commercial and non-commercial R&D activities required to evaluate CCUS and advance the understanding of the potential opportunity for the province.

This Challenge will have a total value of up to $6 million to be awarded in equal parts for two separate streams of work:

• The first stream contains a total of up to $3 million to study the potential for employing CCUS in active production and reservoirs to decarbonize ongoing oil production.
• The second stream contains a total of up to $3 million to study the potential of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore to serve as a regional CCUS hub for the storage of provincial and imported CO2.

Funds provided by the Challenge are intended to leverage additional funding to increase the total amount mobilized in support of this initiative.

Projects carried out under this innovation challenge must be completed within 24 months.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Both Streams will provide financial support in the form of non-repayable funding with parameters of:

• Proposals must request $1.5 million minimum to $3 million maximum in Provincial Government funding.
• Project funding provided by the Challenge will not exceed 50 per cent of eligible project costs.
• At least one industry and one academic entity must partner as leaders in jointly submitting each proposal and implementing project activities for both streams.
• At least 25 per cent of eligible project costs must come from the lead industry and academic partners. Other entities may participate under each proposal as contributors, and there is no maximum number of contributors.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

To qualify for assistance, lead applicants/partners must be:

• Non-commercial applicants: post-secondary institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador focusing on CCUS. Must have been engaged in offshore CCUS activities and/or R&D for a minimum of two years.
• Commercial applicants: registered incorporated business enterprises with a minimum of two years of operations in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• All proposals must be jointly submitted by one non-commercial and one commercial Lead Partner to be eligible for consideration.

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

• Incremental salary costs required to support the proposed project (e.g., additional researchers to be brought on who will be dedicated to the proposed project);
• Professional fees (engineering, consulting, etc.);
• Travel considered essential to the implementation of the project;
• Incremental materials/supplies and related costs (e.g., transportation of equipment) that are essential for implementation of the project;
• GST/HST – applicants who are entitled to a refund or credit from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on a portion of the GST/HST paid on eligible goods and services will be allowed to claim only the portion of tax not refunded by CRA; and,
• Any other costs defined as eligible by Energy and Mines.

HOW TO APPLY

• Request for Proposals – Issued May 9, 2024
• Expression of Interest
• Call for Proposals

CONTACT

For more information please contact CCUS@gov.nl.ca