Natural Resources
November 26, 2014

Energizing Regional Economy Through Lower Churchill Project

Minister Breaks Ground for the Maritime Link Project

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, today joined the Honourable Andrew Younger, Nova Scotia Minister of Energy, and Chris Huskilson, President and CEO of Emera, in a ground-breaking ceremony at the Bottom Brook construction site in Newfoundland and Labrador. The purpose of the event was to recognize the start of construction of the Maritime Link Project and to sign an industrial and employment benefits agreement for the project.

“Today represents another important milestone for the Lower Churchill Project. The benefits agreement with Emera and the Government of Nova Scotia ensures significant opportunities for the people and businesses of our province and region. With this agreement now finalized, benefits during the construction phase of the Maritime Link Project are secured for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Natural Resources

With a total estimated cost of $1.577 billion, the Maritime Link Project is expected to create an average of 300 jobs per year between both provinces during the construction period. Employment is expected to peak at 600 in 2016.

“This project creates an important link in our region, bringing clean, renewable energy to Nova Scotia, as well as local economic opportunities. We’re already seeing a number of Nova Scotia companies actively working on this significant infrastructure project with even more opportunities coming as the project ramps up next year.”
- The Honourable Andrew Younger, Nova Scotia Minister of Energy

Approximately 200 people are currently working on the project between provinces and local companies in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia and are involved in a number of aspects of the project.

“Today’s agreement ensures that businesses and residents in both provinces are treated equally and fairly when it comes to economic opportunities resulting from the Maritime Link Project. To date more than $100 million has been awarded to local companies in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador and we are just getting started.”
- Chris Huskilson, President and CEO of Emera

Additional information on the benefits agreement for the Maritime Link Project is in the backgrounder below. The agreement is available on government’s website at //www.nr.gov.nl.ca/nr/energy/pdf/Maritime_Link_Industrial_and_Employment_Benefit_Agreement.pdf

QUICK FACTS

  • The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, today joined the Honourable Andrew Younger, Nova Scotia Minister of Energy, and Chris Huskilson, President and CEO of Emera, in a ground-breaking ceremony at the Bottom Brook construction site in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • The purpose of the event was to recognize the start of construction of the Maritime Link Project and to sign an economic and employment benefits agreement for the project.
  • With a total estimated cost of $1.577 billion, the Maritime Link Project is expected to create an average of 300 jobs per year between both provinces during the construction period. Employment is expected to peak at 600 in 2016.
  • Approximately 200 people are currently working on the project between provinces and local companies in Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador are working on a number of aspects of the project.

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Media contacts:

Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 631-8155
dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca 		Kyla Friel
Media Relations Advisor
Government of Nova Scotia
902-424-1757
Kyla.Friel@novascotia.ca
Jeff Myrick
Senior Manager, Communications
Emera Newfoundland and Labrador
709-722-3274, 727-4754
jeff.myrick@emera.com

BACKGROUNDER
Maritime Link Project
Industrial and Employment Benefits Agreement

The Maritime Link Project benefits agreement is based on the terms outlined by the interprovincial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed by the provinces in late 2011.

The agreement includes commitments to the following:

  • Equal opportunities for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador businesses and residents.
  • A fair, open and transparent procurement and contracting process for suppliers and contractors in both provinces.
  • Funding for training and development positions that align with the specialized nature of the Maritime Link Project.
  • Educational sponsorships to be allocated between universities in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador to support Maritime Link related technologies.
  • Tracking and reporting updates of data related to economic and employment benefits for both provinces.

The Maritime Link is a 500 MW high voltage direct current (HVdc) transmission project bringing energy from the Lower Churchill project at Muskrat Falls to Nova Scotia. The project will include two 170 km subsea cables across the Cabot Strait, with almost 50 km of overland transmission in Nova Scotia and close to another 300 km of overland transmission on the island of Newfoundland. To learn more visit www.emeranl.com .

2014 11 26                                        10:55 a.m.