The provincial government has lifted the moratorium on wind development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Energy minister Andrew Parsons made the announcement in the House of Assembly on Tuesday.

He explains that the moratorium had been in place since 2007 and was a barrier to investment and development.

Parsons says by lifting the moratorium, opportunities will be created for industrial customers to generate wind energy for their own consumption and for export.

He says the province has some of the best wind resources in North America, and his department has been in contact with a number of companies interested in exploring such development.

Parsons says a review of the moratorium was part of December’s Renewable Energy Plan.

He says lifting the moratorium is the first of a multi-step process in allowing wind generation in the province.