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Who’s behind Port au Port wind farm?

John Risley one of the financial backers for World Energy GH2 project

BARB DEAN-SIMMONS barb.dean-simmons @saltwire.com @Barbdeansimmons

A 125-page document lays out the plan for a 164-turbine wind farm on the Port au Port Peninsula on the west coast of Newfoundland.

Project Nujio’qonik — a Mi’kmaq name meaning “where the sand blows” — proposed by World Energy GH2 Inc. would create one gigawatt of energy to help power a hydrogen facility at the Port of Stephenville.

Directors of the company include Nova Scotia billionaire John Risley, through his venture capital fund CFFI Venture Inc.

Newfoundlander Brendan Paddick, who made his fortune with cable television, and Gene Gebolys, founder of U.s.-based World Energy Horizon Martime, an energy company with First Nations connections, are also partners

The project is under review by the province’s Environment Department.

According to documents filed for the environmental assessment process, the project will produce cost-effective green hydrogren and ammonia from wind power.

“Our advanced studies and market analysis confirm a world-class wind resource in the area, that can be used both for electricity generation and cost-effective production of hydrogen and ammonia,” the company states in its document. “These markets are expected to see significant growth within the next few years due to an increasing push towards decarbonization efforts, as well as energy independence and security, and diversity of supply concerns.”

The proposal from World Energy GH2 Inc. comes after the province announced earlier this year it would lift the 10-year moratorium on the development of wind energy.

At the recent Energy NL conference in St. John’s, there was news of a possible wind power generation project on the province’s east coast, involving Pattern Energy and the Port of Argentia.

The west coast project is open to public comment until July 27.

Details of the proposal are available online at www. gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/ port-au-port-stephenvillewind-power-and-hydrogengeneration-project-projectnujioqonik-gh2/.

The province’s environment minister is expected to make a decision on the application by Aug. 5.

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2022-07-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-07-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

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