An analysis team—that was set up to explore the full economic potential of hydro development on the Churchill River—will be headed up by NL Hydro CEO Jennifer Williams following the resignation of Brendan Paddick.

The team’s existence was not even known until AllNewfoundlandLabrador discovered it through an Access to Information request last month.

The provincial government released the Churchill River Energy Analysis Team’s terms of reference after the team’s existence became public. It will perform a detailed analysis of the hydro opportunities on the Churchill River, including the Upper Churchill, Gull Island, and Muskrat Falls. It will be tasked to prepare information to allow the province to be in a strong position when the Upper Churchill contract comes to an end in 2041.

The team will also look at bulk electricity export opportunities and the expansion of domestic use. That’s in addition to a Churchill River Management Expert Panel announced in May, and headed up by former Fortis executive, Karl Smith. The expert panel was put together to ensure that the province gets the most from the Upper Churchill when the contract with Hydro Quebec expires in 2041.

Williams, who was a member of the energy analysis team as well as a member of the expert panel, will replace Paddick as the analysis team lead.