(St. John’s, NL – Wednesday, June 5, 2024) The second day of the Energy NL Annual Conference & Exhibition 2024 got underway today with a morning address by the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Labour and Seniors, who outlined the Government of Canada’s efforts to support energy development, including amendments to the Atlantic Accord. Following Minister O’Regan, Gary Murray, President and CEO, Newfoundland Power, provided an overview of the utility’s operations and reliable energy supply.
The discussion then turned to the third session of conference which was focused on enabling net zero and the leadership Newfoundland and Labrador can provide. Astrid Jørgenvåg, Vice President Technical & Innovation with Altera Infrastructure, provided an overview of the Stella Maris project, a proposed offshore CCS facility with applicability to Newfoundland and Labrador. Katie Applebaum, Offshore Wind Commercial Lead with TGS, presented on a potential offshore LiDAR program which could be used to position offshore wind turbines for the province. The session concluded with a presentation by Frederic Schneider, Projects Director with Beicep Franlab, who discussed ongoing work regarding the CCS potential of Newfoundland and Labrador which his study indicates has the potential to store all of Canada’s carbon. Work will continue to better understand what is required to develop this potential.
Session Four of conference was focused on engagement with Indigenous communities for energy projects and featured a case study of Wataynikaneyap Power whose CEO Margaret Kenequanash outlined how the Indigenous-majority owned utility engages with Indigenous communities. She was joined in the discussion by Chief Jenny Brake of the Qalipu First Nation and Garry Best, President & CEO, Nunatsiavut Group of Companies, to discuss how the case of Wataynikaneyap Power is applicable to Indigenous communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The lunch session included a discussion of energy policy and politics with Host of CBC’s Power & Politics David Cochrane. The conversation was moderated by CBC’s Krissy Holmes and provided insight into national energy and climate policy and how that is influencing energy project decisions and progress in Canada. Day Two concluded with an afternoon International Business Program that examined the Danish energy market.
Day Three begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday with a look at technology in the Newfoundland and Labrador energy sector and beyond. As well, as discussion on ESG practices and preparing for the labour needs of the energy sector will take place.
Session Five (8:30 a.m.): Advancing Energy Through Innovation: New Technologies & Opportunities
Morning Keynote & Project Update
- Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy & Technology
- Michelle Lethbridge, Project Manager, ABO Wind
Session Speakers
- Julie Lemieux, CEO, Triple Point Resources
- Jaydip Bhadaliya, Manager – Technical Services, Braya Renewable Fuels
- Steve Priestley, Chief Operating Officer, AltoMaxx
Session Six (10:30 a.m.) Readying for Success: How to Prepare for the Modern Energy Economy
Project Updates
- Trent Vichie, CEO, EverWind Fuels
- Tore Løseth, Country Manager, Equinor Canada
Session Speakers
- Elizabeth Kidd, President & CEO, College of the North Atlantic
- Morgan Chafe, Director of Student Summer Employment Program, WISE NL
- Samantha Nash, Machinery & Cranes Engineer, ExxonMobil Canada
- Tom Cooper, Memorial University Faculty of Business Administration
The afternoon will feature a keynote lunch address by Jennifer Williams, CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
“The discussion of these two days of the Energy NL Conference & Exhibition 2024 has been incredible, and there has been a buzz throughout the conference as attendees learn from the presenters and network with each other. There is tremendous excitement for the potential we have in CCS, wind, and clean fuels and Energy NL members were keen to learn more about how and why they should engage with Indigenous communities. David Cochrane provided an exceptional take on the energy politics of our country and provided insight that few others can deliver in such a concise and impactful manner. I am greatly looking forward to our final day where we will discuss the role technology is playing in our energy sector and how we can ready for the energy sector of the future.”
- Charlene Johnson, Energy NL CEO
Further information on the Energy NL Conference & Exhibition 2024 program is available here.
Energy NL represents over 500 member organizations worldwide which are involved in the energy sector. Members are active in all areas of the supply and service sector and include a diverse representation of businesses that range from offshore supply vessels and helicopters, carbon reduction and sustainable technologies, health and safety equipment and training, engineering solutions and fabricators to law firms and human resource agencies.
