Newfoundland and Labrador has concluded a successful energy mission with a delegation from Belgium. The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Andrew Minister Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, hosted the delegation, which was headed by H.E. Patrick Van Gheel, the Ambassador of Belgium to Canada.
The mission took place September 26-27, 2024, and included representation from the Belgian Hydrogen Council as well as hydrogen companies and service providers in the energy industry.
The goals of the delegation were to strengthen ties between the province and Belgium relating to hydrogen production and the export of hydrogen to Europe via Belgium’s ports, and to identify common ground for future collaboration in wind energy.
The delegation’s visit provided the province an opportunity to showcase Newfoundland and Labrador’s strategic advantages in the development of wind energy and the production of green hydrogen. The visit also provided valuable opportunities for Belgian companies to make direct connections with stakeholders in the wind and hydrogen industry in the province.
Yesterday, following a meeting with Tom Hautekiet, Chief Business Development and Transition Officer with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and President of the Belgian Hydrogen Council, Minister Parsons signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium. This agreement will further enhance cooperation and assist in establishing a green shipping corridor to connect our Canadian renewable energy supply with European demand.
Also, during the visit, Brussels-based consultancy firm Hinicio made an announcement related to their pre-certification program, CertifHy. In 2024, Hinicio launched the CertifHy pilot project to run pre-certification for production of renewable fuels of non-biological origin for the Belgian market. The pre-certification acts as a dry run for full commercial production certification and approval means that fuel produced is essentially ready to receive full certification to ship to Belgium.
Four Canadian developers have applied for pre-certification through CertifHy with two developers in this province, Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation (EVREC) and World Energy GH2, receiving this designation, a vital step towards export of hydrogen into the European market.
Belgium is aiming to become one of Europe’s main import and transit hubs of renewable hydrogen, and one of Canada’s closest markets and partners. Belgium’s hydrogen ecosystem has developed expertise across the value chain, including in the development and production of innovative solutions for electrolysers, network infrastructure development, transport of ammonia or complex project engineering.
Quotes
“Positioning Newfoundland and Labrador as a global supplier of clean energy and supporting the growth of the green hydrogen sector have been strategic priorities for our government. I would like to thank Ambassador Gheel and the Belgian delegation for their partnership and recognizing the important role Newfoundland and Labrador can play in meeting the growing demand for green hydrogen to help the world transition to a clean energy future.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“I was pleased to welcome Ambassador Gheel and the Belgian delegation to Newfoundland and Labrador. Our jurisdictions are forging strong ties to foster successful renewable energy projects. Newfoundland and Labrador is of global interest for its potential as a renewable energy hub to meet world demand for green energy. The MOU provides great opportunities for both jurisdictions and will help maximize the province’s economic potential for the benefit of all residents.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
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Hydrogen Development Action Plan
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