Canadian utility Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro) has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for up to 150 MW of firm capacity and 500 GWh of firm energy to support rising electricity demand on the Island Interconnected System.
Hydro, the main energy provider for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, says this RFEI will help it secure new sources of energy. Its portfolio mainly comprises hydro power plants with a total capacity of more than 7.28 GW. Solar currently makes up very little of the total, with a 190 kW solar PV plant and 335 kW of lithium-ion battery storage.
“There is no question we need more electricity, and we must expand the system to be ready for what’s to come,” shared Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro President and CEO, Jennifer Williams. “Over the past several years, we have met with many proponents offering energy solutions, and we are pleased to now open this process to continue our evaluation of technically viable energy solutions and move us closer to selecting the best of those options to meet the energy needs of customers in this province.”
Hydro says this RFEI will enable it to gather information on the development of a request for proposals (RFP) and Request for Information (RFI) to be launched later this year. This call is part of its 2024 Resource Adequacy Plan, which the company filed with the Public Utilities Board (PUB) in 2024.
Welcoming the call, the Senior Director for Québec and Atlantic Canada at the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) Jean Habel said, “Newfoundland and Labrador needs more power, and our members are ready to compete for the opportunity to develop wind, solar and battery storage projects to help meet these needs, provide affordable, reliable and clean electricity to Newfoundlanders and support economic growth across the province.”
CanREA added that it will continue to engage with Hydro to ensure that the RFEI results in the lowest-cost, highest-benefit outcomes for consumers.
Hydro launched the call on July 9, 2025 on its website with Bid Number 103472 LP. The last date for bid submission is September 2, 2025.
