Minister Parrott Provides Update on Wind-Hydrogen Development

The Honourable Lloyd Parrott, Minister of Energy and Mines, today provided an update on wind-hydrogen development in the province.

The Provincial Government has extended the Crown lands wind reserve for Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation (EVREC) to February 28, 2027.

Due to the lack of progress and non-payment of Crown lands reserve fees, the Crown lands reserves for World Energy GH2 Limited Partnership, EverWind NL Company and Toqlukuti’k Wind and Hydrogen Ltd. will not be extended beyond February 28, 2026.

Minister Parrott will be available to the media at 4:00 p.m. today at the Energy and Mines Building, 50 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John’s.

Ending these reserves reduces the overall wind‑reserve area from 381,676 hectares to 30,712 hectares, returning a significant amount of Crown lands for other potential uses.

The Wind Energy Land Reserve Order has been extended three times since the conclusion of the Call for Bids in August 2023 to allow proponents to assess market conditions, advance project work, and pursue offtake agreements. For further details see backgrounder below.

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While the global green hydrogen market is growing more slowly than expected, some projects are moving ahead. EVREC continues to advance its project, progressing its Environmental Assessment, offtake discussions and development work.

As part of the wind‑hydrogen framework, companies must pay a Crown lands reserve fee equal to 3.5 per cent of the land’s market value, billed every quarter. Since reserve letters were issued, government has invoiced $54.6 million in reserve fees and collected $20.1 million as of February 9, 2026. EVREC has paid its fees; the other three companies have outstanding amounts, and government will now begin collection efforts.

Quote

“We recognize the potential of wind-hydrogen to strengthen Newfoundland and Labrador’s position as a North American leader in green energy production, and we are pleased to extend the Crown lands reserve for EVREC as it advances its project. We will continue to maintain vigilant oversight of the remaining projects and will ensure that the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are the primary beneficiaries of our resources. Reducing the reserve area will return significant land to the province for other potential uses.”

Lloyd Parrott, Minister of Energy and Mines

BACKGROUNDER

On August 30, 2023, the Provincial Government announced that four companies were selected through the Crown Lands Call for Bids for Wind Energy Projects (Call for Bids) to receive wind application recommendation letters and were granted the exclusive right to pursue the development of their project through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Crown lands application and approval process, which includes a referral to Environmental Assessment (EA).

On August 22, 2025, the Provincial Government announced that this reserve has been extended to February 28, 2026, and that it has been reduced in size by 132,733 hectares to 381,676 hectares.

On April 1, 2024, a Wind Energy Contingency Land Reserve was established, and Argentia Renewables Wind LP (Pattern Energy) received a wind reserve consideration letter. This enabled Pattern Energy to apply for Crown lands within the reserve for the possible placement of contingent wind turbines that may be needed to maintain the company’s 300-megawatt wind energy project. On August 22, 2025, the Provincial Government announced that the reserve had been extended to March 31, 2026.

On July 23, 2024, a Wind Hydrogen Hub Land Reserve was established for NARL Marketing Limited Partnership (NARL). NARL received a wind hydrogen hub application recommendation reserve letter and was granted the exclusive right to pursue the development of their project through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Crown lands application and approval process. On January 23, 2026, the reserve was extended to January 23, 2027. NARL is proceeding with its project development and has publicly identified a 2030 timeline for first deliveries to Europe.

Wind Energy Land Reserve (as of March 1, 2026)Wind Energy Land Reserve (as of February 28, 2026)2026 02 19