In keeping with the Provincial Government’s commitment to work with companies interested in wind-hydrogen development, the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced that a Contingent-Wind Energy Land Reserve has been established for Argentia Renewables Wind LP (Pattern).

Pattern, a 100 per cent owned affiliate of Pattern Energy, has publicly outlined it had been pursuing its own project with the Port of Argentia outside of the call for bids process which was announced by the Provincial Government last August. A Contingent-Wind Energy Land Reserve of approximately 2,453 hectares has been established to allow Pattern to apply for Crown land within this limited reserve should it be required for its 300 megawatt project.

The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology will only consider recommending these reserve lands for Crown lands applications in circumstances where it can be demonstrated that the request is a result of area constraints. This can be identified either by the company through its project development and site assessment, or by the Provincial Government through processes such as the Environmental Assessment process.

These lands represent less than 0.5 per cent of the lands included in the four reserves established through the Call for Bids Process. They will be held in reserve for the company for a period of 18 months or until the company makes an application to the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture for the lands required for contingent turbine positions for its current project, whichever occurs earlier.

The potential wind project remains subject to the province’s legislative and regulatory framework. The issuance of a wind energy land reserve consideration letter is distinct and separate from the Crown lands application and approval process, as well as the Environmental Assessment process.

The company will be required to submit a Benefits Plan and a Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan for the project that meets the approval of the province and must be approved prior to the commencement of project construction. The company’s project will be subject to the Province’s Wind-Hydrogen Fiscal Framework, which was announced in February 2023.

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“Pattern’s project is expected to be developed within its own private land. However, this wind reserve consideration letter provides an option should they require additional land for contingency. We are committed to continuing to work with the companies that were not successful in the initial call for bids and remain optimistic about wind-hydrogen development in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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