A new promotional video showcases Newfoundland and Labrador as a world leader in energy innovation through its ground-breaking work on the development of the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project and the wind-hydrogen-diesel research and development energy project at Ramea.

The 10-minute video, Newfoundland and Labrador: Innovation in Renewable Energy, was premiered during the 2009 Energy and Mines Ministers� Meeting held in St. John�s last month. It is now available for broadcast, on YouTube and can be viewed on the departmental website.

"Newfoundland and Labrador is an energy warehouse and our people are involved in world-class energy innovation projects that have the potential for application and adaption outside our province," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources. "The work we are doing is impressive and our story deserves to be told. I am proud of the positive reaction this video has received from my counterparts across the country and am delighted it is now reaching a wider audience."

The video is a project of the Department of Natural Resources and Nalcor Energy, the province�s energy corporation. It highlights the work being done on the Lower Churchill Project, including the planned sub-sea transmission link to the island. It also features the Ramea research and development project being undertaken by Nalcor Energy and partners to identify energy alternatives for isolated, diesel-powered communities.

"Our tremendous supply of renewable resources has the potential to provide long-term energy security and establish the province as leaders in environmental sustainability and this video helps get our message out," said Minister Dunderdale. "As the demand for green energy continues to grow, innovative technology and further research and development will help to identify alternative energy solutions that will further strengthen our competitive position in the global marketplace."

Against the backdrop of Newfoundland and Labrador�s breath-taking natural beauty, the video shows the province�s substantial inventory of energy resources, and its capacity for future growth. The focus is on the immense supply of hydroelectric and wind resources, which enables the province to meet its own energy needs and ensure its role as a reliable supplier of electricity to the North American market.

The Lower Churchill Project is currently moving through the environmental assessment process. Its two installations at Gull Island and Muskrat Falls have a combined capacity of over 3,000 megawatts of clean energy and can provide 16.7 terawatt hours of electricity a year. The project would also allow the province to displace existing fossil fuel generation at the Holyrood Thermal Generating Station with clean, renewable energy.

"Nalcor Energy is committed to investigating alternative energy sources to offset our existing non-renewable electricity supply and reduce our reliance on thermal generation," said Ed Martin, president and chief executive officer of Nalcor Energy. "The proposed development on the Lower Churchill River is one of the best undeveloped hydroelectric resources in North America and has tremendous benefit locally and nationally. Nalcor has also made significant progress on the Ramea wind-hydrogen-diesel project. The project has the potential to eventually displace diesel with zero-emission power and this could be used in other isolated communities across the province and beyond."

Newfoundland and Labrador has a world-class wind resource which has environmental and economic benefits. Two commercial wind farms are already operating in the province and provide significant economic benefits to the communities of St. Lawrence and Fermeuse, which can produce up to 54 megawattrs of energy.

"As a government, we will continue to take a strategic and innovative approach to the development of our renewable energy resources," said Minister Dunderdale. "By investing a portion of our non-renewable resource revenue into developing a strong renewable resource future, we are ensuring the strength of our energy sector and long-term success of Newfoundland and Labrador."

The video will be used in future promotional and advertising material for the Department of Natural Resources and Nalcor Energy. It can be viewed at www.nr.gov.nl.ca/nr/. It is also posted on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XzltgJMMHI and can be found using the search words Ramea and Churchill.

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