Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore energy and environment sectors unite to pursue clean tech opportunities
ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND - The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA), Noia, and the Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador are working together to accelerate awareness and the pursuit of clean technology opportunities in Canada's offshore oil and gas industry. The organizations formed a joint committee in 2019 to work collaboratively and identify priorities to advance clean technology in the offshore oil and gas industry.
In 2020, the organizations received support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology, and the Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador to engage in a series of important studies related to clean technology in the offshore.
Two key studies were recently completed: the feasibility of powering future offshore oil and gas operations with clean electricity from shore; and powering existing and future operations with offshore wind energy. The initial results from this research were made public during Noia’s Virtual Fall Seminar held November 18, 2020 and were favourably received by attendees. The reports by Aker Solutions and Intecsea, the companies which undertook the studies, are now available for viewing here. Additional studies are also ongoing and focused on: defining the region’s clean tech research and development strengths relevant to the oil and gas industry; emerging environmental performance measurements and expectations to ensure the local supply chain maintains its competitiveness internationally; and recommendations on regulatory and innovation support frameworks that will drive and enable clean growth within the industry.
Information obtained from these studies will help lay the foundation for the industry to develop its approach to helping the province and country achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Newfoundland and Labrador is set to become a clean tech capital of Canada, building on the success of fintech companies like Verafin, working in our Offshore to lower emissions, and drive global competitiveness,” said Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.
