EverWind Fuels receives environmental approval for Point Tupper project

Regulation & Policy

February 8, 2023, by Aida Čučuk

Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Nova Scotia, has issued an environmental approval to EverWind Fuels, developer of green hydrogen and ammonia production, for the initial phase of the $6 billion, 1 million tonnes per annum green hydrogen and green ammonia project located in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The first phase of the project is permitted and expected to produce and export 200,000 tonnes per annum starting in 2025, then achieve the full 1 million tonnes per annum volume by 2026.

According to EverWind, the environmental approval is a significant milestone for the company and its First Nations equity partners, Membertou, Paqtnkek (Bayside Development Corporation), and Potlotek, and it paves the way for construction to commence in the first half of 2023.

EverWind noted it remains on track to deliver green ammonia to German off-takers, E.ON and Uniper, by 2025, achieving the goals outlined in the Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance signed in August of 2022.

In December 2022, the company was the successful proponent in a provincial request for applications for Crown land and is now applying for leases on 137,000 acres of land to develop a 2 GW onshore wind farm, expected to power the second phase of its green hydrogen production facility by 2026.

EverWind acquired the Point Tupper terminal in early 2022.

According to the company, the site has the capacity to produce more than 10 million tonnes per year of green ammonia, and with approximately $1 billion of existing storage and logistics assets, is an ideal hydrogen hub. To note, it is connected via critical infrastructure including rail, road, and pipelines, in addition to its port facility.

Trent Vichie, CEO and Founder of EverWind, said: “As a first mover in Atlantic Canada, EverWind is establishing a globally competitive clean energy hub, unlocking the immense local, national, and international opportunities presented by green hydrogen and green fuels.”

“The environmental approval announced today will enhance the region’s ability to create the first-mover supply chains necessary to scale quickly in new markets. Furthermore, it creates the foundation of a new industry in Canada and Nova Scotia that will lead the green energy transition.”

Laurel Broten, CEO of Invest in Canada, Canada’s global investment attraction and promotion agency, said: “Hydrogen is a critical tool in the energy transition and in how we meet our net-zero goals by 2050. EverWind Fuels’ planned hydrogen and ammonia project in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia is an example of the transformative benefits foreign direct investment can bring to Canada and to Canadian communities.”

In a statement regarding the project, EverWind Fuels also acknowledged the territory of the Mi’kmaq people, noting: “…We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land, Mi’kma’ki. Our work shares a core principle practiced by the Mi’kmaq: environmental stewardship. We are committed to working with the Mi’kmaq through consultation, engagement, and delivering a comprehensive partnership on all aspects of the project.”

EverWind said it is also pursuing a sister project on the Burin Peninsula in Newfoundland & Labrador. This project will consist of a 2 GW wind farm to produce green hydrogen and ammonia, which is very similar to the second phase of the Nova Scotia project.