Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz set to sign hydrogen deal in Newfoundland
Global News
Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are set to sign a green energy agreement this month in Newfoundland that could prove pivotal to Canada's nascent hydrogen industry.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are set to sign a green energy agreement later this month in Newfoundland that could prove pivotal to Canada’s nascent hydrogen industry.
The German government on Friday issued a statement confirming the agreement will be signed Aug. 23 in Stephenville, where a Newfoundland-based company plans to build a zero-emission plant that will use wind energy to produce hydrogen and amonia for export.
If approved, the project would be the first of its kind in Canada.
Germany is keen to find new sources of energy because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a surge in natural gas prices. As well, Russia has reduced its flow of natural gas to its European customers, prompting concerns about supply shortages.
Meanwhile, the company behind the Newfoundland project, World Energy GH2, has said the first phase of the proposal calls for building up 164 onshore wind turbines to power a hydrogen production facility at the deep-sea port at Stephenville. Long-term plans call for tripling the size of the project.
“There is a heightened urgency for Canada to step into this new market that’s in such high demand,” said Stephenville Mayor Tom Rose, who noted the province did not lift a moratorium on wind farm development until this year.
“We’re poised now to be the green energy hub of North America.”
Among the companies behind the project is CFFI Ventures Inc., led by Nova Scotia-based billionaire John Risley, who is best known as co-founder of Clearwater Seafoods.