Government has launched a Hydrogen Development Action Plan for the province.
The plan provides a guideline for export and domestic markets, partnerships, innovation and industry support, training and jobs and a regulatory framework.
Four projects are currently approved for development, representing an estimated economic impact of more than $200 billion in GDP over the lifetime of the projects.
Photo via Gov NL Hydrogen Development Action Plan
The province says among the plan’s guiding principles are ensuring that the province’s resources are used in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner, building public awareness of what they call “green” hydrogen, and ensuring competing interests are balanced while encouraging hydrogen development.
Still, many questions remain, with detractors questioning the pace of development, the environmental impacts, and what they see as a lack of public consultation.
The CEO of Econext, Kieran Hanley, is applauding the new plan. He says NL has “everything it takes to be a global leader in hydrogen production.”
He calls the plan an important signal that Newfoundland and Labrador is serious about exploiting opportunities and helping grow the industry.
Hanley says in their trips to Germany and the Netherlands it is clear that Europe needs clean fuels from places like Newfoundland and Labrador.
