Left to right: Paul Arsenault, Mayor of Belledune; Jeff David, BPA Director of Engineering; Jennifer Cleversey-Moffitt, BPA Legal Counsel & Corp. Secretary; Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor; Serge Cormier, MP Acadie-Bathurst; Hermel Vienneau, BPA Board Chairperson.

On October 12, 2022, the Belledune Port Authority announced the completion and adoption of a Master Development Plan to foster investment, enable green energy production and bring sustainable industry solutions to New Brunswick and the world.

The Master Development Plan 2022-2052 lays out a 30-year roadmap to transition the Port Authority away from declining traditional industries and toward a more dynamic future while supporting a green and clean economic transition for New Brunswick. The Port generates significant revenue from coal imports to fuel NB Power’s nearby Belledune Generating Station, which is affected by Canada’s decision to phase out coal by 2030.

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency provided a contribution of more than $1.7 million through the Government of Canada’s Canada Coal Transition Initiative to the Port for an extensive series of studies to produce the plan. This funding enabled the Port to seek input from experts in marine transportation, green energy, community and industry stakeholders and Indigenous rights holders.

Moving forward, the Port will prioritize green development that complements other activities at the Port through the creation of a Green Energy Hub. The Green Energy Hub is a special development site intended to attract sustainable industry powered by clean and green energy. It will be a major business driver at the Port, requiring new partnerships at all levels to lay the foundation for first-of-kind energy developments in New Brunswick.

The Green Energy Hub could build off the Port Authority’s recent agreement in principle with Cross River Infrastructure Partners to develop a zero-carbon hydrogen production facility at Belledune to serve domestic and European energy markets, and its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the German-based Port of Wilhelmshaven to collaborate on shipments with a focus on clean fuels and green products.

“We are transforming to diversify, grow and green our business. This plan supports our long-term ambition to build a Green Energy Hub to attract clean industry while also focusing on the process of greening our current operations… With our new Master Development Plan and the support of our government, community and Indigenous rights holders, we are confident that our Port can transform to deliver a cleaner, brighter future.”

– Denis Caron, President and CEO of the Belledune Port Authority

To learn more about the Belledune Port Authority’s Master Development Plan, read the full report.