The province continues to blow through the process of making Crown land available for wind energy projects.

Yesterday, officials revealed which land is up for grabs after receiving initial submissions from 31 proponents.

It comes just eight months after the government lifted the moratorium on projects to generate wind energy.

Bids will be accepted and reviewed until March, with the most viable moving on to the second phase and potential land lease.

Projects producing less than one megawatt of power will not need an environmental assessment before final approval, but anything over that, will.

Energy Minister Andrew Parsons admits it’s an ambitious plan with ambitious timelines, especially for a new industry.

But he says transparency and fairness is key, adding it will be a balanced approach that recognizes the importance of timelines but also getting it right.

Parsons says three dozen departments and agencies had input into which land would be included and excluded from development.

Government is only entertaining bids around the export of energy for now, with future plans for domestic and offshore development.

The next step will be the release of the fiscal framework spelling out the financials for companies, the province and its residents.

The PC Opposition, meanwhile, remains concerned about the speed of the process, despite Parsons’ assurances.

Leader David Brazil points to what he calls mixed messages coming from proponents and government.

He suggests the province is not being transparent, citing differences between vague government timelines and more specific company targets to be “up and running” by 2025.

Brazil did commend government for ensuring all Crown lands in the process will be leased rather than sold for development.