Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette are convening in St. John’s today to make a significant announcement related to energy security and economic growth. This comes amid escalating discussions surrounding a fresh agreement on Churchill Falls energy. Reports confirm that Fréchette is en route to Newfoundland to finalize the agreement with Wakeham, Quebec’s Energy Minister Bernard Drainville, and Hydro-Québec’s president and CEO Claudine Bouchard in attendance for the event.
Hydro-Québec also released a statement, inviting journalists to an exclusive briefing on Quebec’s energy security announcement scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday. The closed-door session will feature Hydro-Québec’s executive vice-president of energy and regulatory strategy, Dave Rhéaume. The main announcement is set to take place in St. John’s at 1:45 p.m., as disclosed by Wakeham’s office.
Sources privy to the new deal, speaking on condition of anonymity, have revealed key details. Notably, the agreement will ensure a guaranteed transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec, enabling Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that capacity to external markets. As per reports, both provinces are expected to receive a substantial increase in electricity allocation compared to the previous understanding, with Quebec potentially receiving around 10,000 megawatts and Newfoundland and Labrador securing at least 2,350 megawatts, potentially reaching 3,000 megawatts.
To achieve this boost in electricity production, the parties have agreed to enhance the hydroelectric facility at Gull Island and augment the turbine capacity at the existing Churchill Falls plant. Additionally, the revised agreement includes provisions for wind power, a new addition not present in the prior memorandum signed in 2024.
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