A lack of progress in exploiting the province’s wind to hydrogen potential means that a number of major proposals may no longer go forward.

The minister of energy and mines says while the Crown lands wind reserve for Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation (EVREC) has been extended to the end of next February, lack of progress and non-payment of Crown lands reserve fees means that a number of other major wind projects will not have their land reserves extended.

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

Minister Lloyd Parrott says ending those reserves reduces the overall wind-reserve area from 381,676 hectares to just 30,712 hectares – and returns a significant amount of Crown lands for other potential uses.

The province says the Wind Energy Land Reserve Order has been extended three times since the conclusion of the Call for Bids in August of 2023.

The promise of Newfoundland and Labrador’s wind-to-hydrogen development has dampened, and the industry’s growth has been much slower than anticipated.

The province says since reserve letters were first issued, government has invoiced $54.6 million in reserve fees and had collected $20.1 million as of February 9th.

The government says EVREC has paid its fees, while the other three companies have outstanding amounts, and collection efforts will now begin.