Environmental authorities in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador officially released, on April 15, the guidelines for preparing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the “Green Energy Hub” project led by Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation (EVREC), a subsidiary of Canadian firm Abraxas Power Corporation. This green hydrogen initiative, based in the Botwood area, represents one of the largest industrial energy developments currently underway in Atlantic Canada. The publication of these directives officially initiates the environmental review process required to approve the various phases of the project, including construction, operation, maintenance, decommissioning, and rehabilitation.
A large-scale green hydrogen infrastructure
EVREC is developing an integrated infrastructure combining more than 3 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind capacity, alongside a connected energy storage system to power facilities producing green hydrogen (H2) and green ammonia (NH3). The project aims to produce 180,000 tonnes of green hydrogen and one million tonnes of green ammonia annually. The complex will include its own port infrastructure for exporting products to global markets. In 2023, the province granted EVREC access to more than 300 square kilometres of public land to support the project’s development.
Regulatory steps and public consultations
The Environmental Impact Statement will need to provide detailed information on water resource management, air quality, biodiversity, and the location of project components. Public consultations are planned throughout the regulatory process. The objective is to ensure that community concerns and potential environmental impacts are fully integrated into project planning. EVREC has stated that ongoing environmental data collection, wind measurement and engineering studies will guide the project’s final design.
Economic prospects and stakeholder engagement
The project is positioned as an economic lever for Newfoundland and Labrador, with expectations for job creation, investment inflows, and enhanced visibility for the province in the global hydrogen market. Dean Comand, Chief Operating Officer of Abraxas Power Corporation, noted that the Environmental Impact Statement is a critical milestone, underlining the company’s intent to maintain continuous engagement with regulators, stakeholders and local communities. EVREC continues its pre-construction activities in alignment with this process.
