Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette are scheduled to convene in St. John’s on Monday for a significant announcement concerning energy security and economic development. Momentum surrounding a potential new agreement on Churchill Falls energy has been building in recent days, with reports indicating that a deal may be finalized this week. Radio-Canada has verified that Fréchette is set to travel to Newfoundland on Monday to participate in the signing of the agreement.
Following a confirmation issued by Wakeham’s office on Saturday evening, it was disclosed that Fréchette, along with Quebec’s Energy Minister Bernard Drainville and Hydro-Québec’s President and CEO Claudine Bouchard, will be present at the event on Monday. The announcement is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. NT in St. John’s, although specific details have not been extensively shared at this time.
Insider sources, who are not authorized to speak publicly, have revealed key aspects of the anticipated agreement. Notably, the agreement will entail a guaranteed transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec, enabling Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that capacity to external markets. Additionally, both provinces are expected to receive a significantly higher amount of electricity compared to the previous memorandum of understanding, with Quebec potentially receiving around 10,000 megawatts and Newfoundland and Labrador securing at least 2,350 megawatts, with a potential maximum of 3,000 megawatts.
To achieve the augmented electricity production, the two provinces have agreed to enhance the hydroelectric facility at Gull Island and boost the generating capacity of the turbines at the existing Churchill Falls plant. The new agreement also encompasses wind power, marking a departure from the 2024 MOU signed by former Liberal premier Andrew Furey and former Quebec premier François Legault.