Energy Plan - Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Labrador
Labrador is unique in its geography, history, culture and heritage. This is reflected
in the Northern Strategic Plan (NSP) for Labrador, a provincial investment of
more than $250 million. The NSP respects the objectives and aspirations of
Labradorians, as well as the Provincial Government’s commitment to the social
and economic development of Labrador. While it is home to vast developed
and potential energy resources, Labrador also creates special challenges from
an energy perspective, such as supplying electricity to remote communities at
a reasonable cost.
Building on the NSP, this Energy Plan highlights the critical role Labrador will play
in shaping the province’s future and how the people of Labrador will benefit from
energy development. In particular, the people of Labrador will benefit greatly
from the development of the Lower Churchill. Jobs and business activity from
the construction and operation of the project are the first and most tangible
benefits. Most of the jobs and business spinoffs will occur in Labrador and the
province will make every effort to maximize the benefits to Labrador through
training and supplier development.
Labrador residents will also benefit from the availability of energy to maximize
economic opportunities. The location of the Lower Churchill and other renewable
resources in Labrador will provide a significant longer-term cost advantage for
industries that locate in the area and will help offset the costs of operating in
a location that is remote from major markets.
POLICY
ACTIONS
Energy as a Tool for Economic
Development
The Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador will:
• Ensure our energy resources,
where appropriate, are
used as a tool to promote
economic development,
particularly in rural areas and
Labrador.
• Work with the Nunatsiavut
Government and Aboriginal
groups to ensure
opportunities for involvement
in the development of
projects are pursued and
skills training are available.
The number of energy developments on the horizon in Labrador, combined
with an aging workforce, means that the requirement for new tradespeople
in Labrador will be high. We will work to ensure a fully–qualified workforce is
available to meet the needs of our energy developments and to maximize the
benefits to Labradorians.
Aboriginal Peoples
As we proceed with energy development, the Provincial Government is committed
to the engagement and participation of Aboriginal peoples in developing the
province’s energy resources as appropriate and we will work with the Nunatsiavut
Government and Aboriginal groups to ensure there are opportunities for
involvement in the development of projects and that skills training is available
where required.
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