Natural Resources
Environment and Conservation
October 21, 2009

Environmental Benefits of Large-Scale Hydro Focus of Forum

Newfoundland and Labrador today hosted the Council of the Federation Forum on Large-Scale Hydroelectric Development: Aligning Economic and Environmental Goals as a means to meet the country�s future energy demand and environmental goals.

�Large-scale hydro is an important clean energy solution for the future, and Newfoundland and Labrador is ideally positioned as a key supplier of this renewable energy,� said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and co-chair of the forum. �Our province has a strategy to use our non-renewable resource revenues to fuel a future based on renewable resources. We already supply hydroelectricity to eastern Canada and the northeastern United States through the Upper Churchill development and are moving forward to develop the Lower Churchill project, which will contribute significantly to environmentally-sustainable energy demands. The forum today enabled us to examine how these large-scale hydro developments can help us achieve our environmental priorities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.�

At the 2008 Council of the Federation summer meeting, Premiers identified the need to make the advancement of green technologies a priority in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The large-scale hydro forum was one in a series of forums the Premiers committed to holding at that time. Forums have already been held on energy efficiency, by Nova Scotia, and bioenergy, by British Columbia. The forum was co-chaired by the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation.

�Our government is striving to be environmental stewards as we deal with the impacts of climate change,� said Minister Johnson. �Sustainable resource development is one way we can reduce our carbon footprint for future generations. The meaningful discussions that have taken place at this forum speak to the importance of finding the appropriate balance between economic development and environmental integrity, and we must ensure that the environment is at the forefront in our decision making around such projects.�

The forum was designed to take a focused look at large-scale hydro in the context of addressing climate change, and how to advance development in a consultative and balanced manner. Delegates spent the day immersed in discussion on the challenges and opportunities associated with large-scale hydro, and how to approach the economics of protecting the environment and the implications for the generation, distribution and consumption of electricity.

Speakers included those from government, public and private sector developers, non-governmental organizations, industry associations and an expert on aboriginal consultation. The discussions focused on the economic and environmental fundamentals of large-scale hydroelectric development, the role large-scale hydro can play in achieving emission reductions and best practices to ensure effective environmental assessment and aboriginal consultation.

Canadians have been developing hydroelectricity since the late 1800s and it now accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the country�s electricity supply. Canada has over 450 hydropower facilities in all but one province and one territory. Jacob Irving, President of the Canadian Hydropower Association, told the forum that Canada has 70,000 megawatts of installed capacity with the potential to add 163,000 megawatts more. �That�s more than double,� said Mr. Irving. �Right now in Canada, over 12,000 megawatts of projects are in various planning stages. This represents $50 billion of economic development over the next 10 years for our country.�

Newfoundland and Labrador�s Lower Churchill Project is the most attractive undeveloped hydroelectric development in North America. The 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. The Churchill Falls Generating Station located in Labrador is one of the largest underground power houses in the world with a rated capacity of 5,428 megawatts.

The Council of the Federation was created in December 2003 and comprises all 13 provincial and territorial Premiers. It enables Premiers to work collaboratively to strengthen the Canadian federation by fostering a constructive relationship among the provinces and territories and with the Federal Government.

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2009 10 21                   3:30 p.m.