The Prime Minister, Mark Carney, is scheduled to convene in St. John’s on Monday with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette to make a significant announcement regarding energy security and economic development.
Discussions regarding a potential new agreement on Churchill Falls energy have intensified in recent days, with confirmation from Radio-Canada that Fréchette will be traveling to Newfoundland to finalize the agreement. Wakeham’s office revealed that Fréchette, accompanied by Quebec’s Energy Minister Bernard Drainville and Hydro-Québec’s CEO Claudine Bouchard, will be present at the event on Monday.
Hydro-Québec also issued a statement inviting journalists to a closed-door briefing the following day in Quebec at 11 a.m., focusing on an announcement concerning Quebec’s energy security. Additionally, Natural Resources Canada announced a media technical briefing in Ottawa at 10:30 a.m.
While details remain limited, Wakeham’s office confirmed that the announcement is set for 1:45 p.m. in St. John’s. Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s office disclosed that Carney will also be in attendance.
Sources with inside information, speaking on condition of anonymity, have revealed that the new deal guarantees transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec, allowing Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that capacity to external markets. The agreement is expected to provide Quebec with around 10,000 megawatts and Newfoundland and Labrador with a minimum of 2,350 megawatts, potentially increasing to 3,000.
To achieve this boost in electricity production, both provinces have agreed to enhance the hydroelectric facility at Gull Island and increase the generating capacity of the turbines at the existing Churchill Falls plant. Notably, the new agreement incorporates wind power, a component absent from the previous memorandum signed in 2024.
[Image: Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham are making an energy announcement in St. John’s on Monday. (CBC)]
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