A proposed wind-to-hydrogen project in western Newfoundland has lost momentum, with critics skeptical of a new plan to shift focus to exporting wind power off the island. Nick Mercer, an assistant professor at the University of Prince Edward Island and a critic of the project by World Energy GH2, expressed doubts about the company’s changing direction and lack of a confirmed offtake agreement.
Following reports that World Energy GH2 is moving away from building a green hydrogen and ammonia plant in Stephenville, company chair John Risley, also leading Clean Grid Atlantic, is now proposing a $16 billion plan to construct a transmission network for exporting wind power from the Atlantic provinces to Quebec and the northeastern U.S. The new plan aims to utilize wind power from proposed turbines in western Newfoundland.
While Risley is optimistic about the new proposal, Mercer believes it adds to the uncertainty surrounding the project’s realization. Mercer cautioned against getting overly enthusiastic until tangible progress is seen, labeling Risley’s plan as speculative.
Risley acknowledged the fair criticism due to the previous project’s failure to materialize and emphasized the need to prove skeptics wrong. He mentioned that significant investments have already been made, with further spending planned in the coming years to advance the grid’s development.
Stephenville Mayor Bob Byrnes noted the shift in attention from the initial project to the new venture with Clean Grid Atlantic and Pattern Energy. Byrnes expressed confidence in Risley’s commitment and infrastructure investments, believing that the new project has the potential to succeed.
Byrnes highlighted the importance of finding a market for the wind power and expressed hope that the project could come to fruition within the next couple of years.