News & Press Releases

Toronto, February 9, 2022

Scotiabank and Evolugen Announce 15-year Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement

Long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for solar energy in Alberta to add new renewable power to the Canadian electricity grid and advance Scotiabank’s commitment to the use of 100% non-emitting energy.

Scotiabank and Evolugen, the Canadian operating business of Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEP, BEPC; TSX: BEP.UN, BEPC), today announced the signing of a 15-year renewable energy PPA for solar energy in Alberta from a new, to-be-constructed ~40 MW project, northeast of Cardston, Alberta. Once operational, Scotiabank will become the sole proprietor, purchasing 100% of the emission-free renewable electricity generated by the facility to help reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The agreement supports Scotiabank’s Climate Commitments – the Bank’s comprehensive approach to addressing climate change including decarbonizing its own operations and supporting clients in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

“We are extremely proud to embark on our partnership with Evolugen for the purchase of renewable power enabling us to more than offset our electricity carbon footprint across Canada,” says Stephen Morson, Senior Vice President, Real Estate at Scotiabank. “We recognize the unique role we can play in the transition to a low-carbon, more resilient economy and this PPA agreement not only achieves our goal of securing 100% non-emitting electricity in Canada by 2025, but it also allows us to contribute to the growth of renewable energy development in Canada – a positive outcome for all involved.”

Construction of Spring Coulee Solar is scheduled to begin in Summer 2022 with operations commencing in 2023. In its first year, Evolugen’s Spring Coulee Solar facility is expected to generate close to 60,000 MWh of renewable electricity, the equivalent of powering approximately 9,000 Alberta homes per year.  Through the power generated by more than 70,000 bi-facial photovoltaic solar panels, the project will save approximately 30,000 metric tonnes of GHG emissions annually.  The project will also see the creation of up to 100 new construction jobs in Alberta with operations injecting more than $48 million into the local economy.

“We are very excited to work with our long-time partner, Scotiabank, to help them achieve their decarbonization goals” said Josée Guibord, CEO of Evolugen. “Going forward, we are well-positioned to partner with companies in Alberta to offer best-in-class clean energy solutions given our operating and development expertise, access to capital and high-quality development sites.”

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: “for every future”, we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of approximately 90,000 employees and assets of approximately $1.2 trillion (as at October 31, 2021), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

For more information

Rémi Moreau

Vice President, Public Affairs & Sustainability,
Evolugen
613-222-6152
remi.moreau@evolugen.com

Fiona Johnston

Global Communications, Scotiabank
416-275-6748
fiona.johnston@scotiabank.com

MONTRÉAL, February 1, 2022

Hydro-Québec Reaches Agreement with Brookfield Renewable to Purchase Output from Rivière du Lièvre Generating Stations

Hydro-Québec and Evolugen, the Canadian operating business of Brookfield Renewable, today announced that they have entered into a 40-year escalating electricity purchase agreement under which Hydro-Québec will purchase the output of the Lièvre hydro-electric portfolio in Québec with 263 MW of capacity. The assets will continue to be operated by Evolugen.

Given the ongoing energy transition, it is expected that demand for clean, renewable base load electricity generation will increase sharply in the coming years. Hydro-Québec is implementing several strategies to address this demand, in particular by contracting the capacity comprised of four generating stations located along Rivière du Lièvre in Outaouais. The facilities will contribute approximately 1.5 TWh annually, which is equivalent to the energy used by close to 90,000 homes.

The agreement involves integrating Evolugen’s Lièvre generating fleet, into Hydro-Québec’s generation planning. It also includes priority access rights associated with the US market.

“With this strategic agreement, we are adding capacity and renewable energy to our supply in a context of increasing demand in both Québec and neighboring markets. The opportunity to purchase output from reliable hydroelectric generating stations that are currently in operation and already connected was appealing for many reasons. This agreement is particularly useful for us during winter peaks,” noted Pierre Despars, Vice President – Corporate Strategy and Business Development at Hydro-Québec.

“We are pleased to sign a strategic agreement with our long-standing partner, Hydro Québec, to contract our Lièvre assets for the next 40 years. This agreement offers a sustainable and Québec-based solution to meet Hydro-Québec’s growing renewable energy demand” said Josée Guibord, CEO of Evolugen, the Canadian operating business of Brookfield Renewable. “Our team works hand-in-hand with customers to provide tailored clean energy solutions, like this one, that fit our customers’ objectives and reduce their exposure risk.”

Deliveries of output from the facilities began on December 31, 2021.

Gatineau, February 25, 2021

Evolugen and Gazifère Announce One of Canada’s Largest Green Hydrogen Injection Projects to be Located in Quebec

Evolugen, the Canadian operating business of Brookfield Renewable, and Gazifère Inc., an Enbridge company, are proud to announce one of Canada’s largest green hydrogen projects for injection into a natural gas distribution network in Quebec. The Quebec-based companies, as part of a collaboration formed to advance the development and use of green hydrogen, announced plans to build and operate an approximately 20 MW water electrolysis hydrogen production plant in the Outaouais region. The facility will result in significant reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and generate considerable benefits regionally, provincially, and nationally. The companies unveiled details of the ambitious project at the annual symposium of Quebec’s renewable energy production association (AQPER) taking place today.

The plant will be built in the Masson sector of the City of Gatineau, adjacent to Evolugen’s hydroelectric facilities, which will power the electrolyzer. An estimated capacity of approximately 425,000 GJ of green hydrogen will be produced for injection into Gazifère’s natural gas distribution network, making this the first project of its kind in Canada.

The project will avoid approximately 15,000 metric tons in GHG emissions per year, in addition to generating significant local economic benefits, including new jobs and additional property tax revenue.

This innovative project represents the first phase in the creation of a regional green economy ecosystem centered around the production, distribution, and use of green hydrogen. With ongoing support from the municipal, provincial, and federal governments, Evolugen and Gazifère are well positioned to leverage numerous strategic assets, including access to natural resources and the expertise of the local workforce. The two companies are working together to develop the Outaouais region and put Quebec and Canada at the forefront of the movement to economically reduce GHG emissions.

“As an experienced renewable energy generation developer, owner and operator, Evolugen sees green hydrogen as a natural progression and fit in its portfolio of clean energy solutions.  This project aligns with and furthers Evolugen’s objectives to put its capital, expertise and resources to work to support governments, businesses and communities in reaching their energy transition and decarbonization goals.”

– Josée Guibord, Evolugen CEO

“Green hydrogen can play a major role in Quebec’s energy transition by offering a sustainable, low-carbon energy solution. With the production, transportation and distribution of green hydrogen, Gazifère has the ambition to provide its customers with an increasingly diversified portfolio of renewable natural gas options. This is another important example of Enbridge’s multi-market approach to green the natural gas grid while continuing to meet the demand for safe, reliable and affordable energy.”

– Cynthia Hansen, Executive Vice President & President, Gas Distribution & Storage, Enbridge

“Hydrogen’s time has come. It will lower our emissions and create jobs. Projects like this will get us to net zero.”

– The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources

“Clean hydrogen presents Canada with an opportunity to leverage our resources and world-leading clean tech sector to drive innovation on transformative technologies and reduce polluting emissions. Evolugen and Gazifère stand out and excel in this field.”

– Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Seniors and Member of Parliament for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation

“Hydrogen is seen as a solution to tackle the various energy transition challenges and Quebec has undoubtedly a significant potential in this new sector. We are fortunate to be able to produce green hydrogen thanks to hydroelectricity, which is a renewable energy available at a very competitive cost. In this context, Evolugen’s project is a concrete example that demonstrates all the potential associated with the production of green hydrogen in Quebec.’’

– Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region

‘’ Green hydrogen is one of the most promising energy sources to decarbonize Quebec’s economy. Furthermore, thanks to its hydroelectricity, Quebec is very well positioned to become a leader in this field. As a government, our role is to create a supportive economic environment for innovative companies like Evolugen and Gazifère. This is why we have set aside funds within the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy to support green hydrogen sector development.’’

– Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change

“I am very proud of this hydrogen injection project achievement here in our region, Papineau. There is a clear need to support the energy transition to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. This project is an ideal opportunity to diversify the Outaouais economy.”

– Mathieu Lacombe, Member for Papineau, Minister of Families and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region

“We must combat the impact of climate change on our population and infrastructure by showing leadership in energy transition, prioritizing both the development and use of renewable energy.  Which is why we are proud to support Evolugen and Gazifère’s innovative project which will contribute to the fight against climate change while generating important economic benefits for our region, including job creation in this new sector.’’

– Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, Gatineau mayor

“CREDDO is proud to join forces with Gazifère and Evolugen to help make this sustainable energy project a success. Renewable natural gas and green hydrogen have enormous potential to fuel a green, inclusive, and successful economic recovery. That’s why CREDDO is putting its expertise to work and rallying the community’s key stakeholders around this innovative project, which will give Outaouais a seat at the energy transition table.”

– Benoît Delage, Executive Director, CREDDO

About Gazifère

Gazifère is a private corporation employing 110 people, and a subsidiary of Enbridge Inc. Established in the Outaouais region since 1959, it is one of two distributors of natural gas in Quebec. The company serves more than 43,500 residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial customers and owns and operates a 1,000 km gas supply system.

Gazifère holds a franchise for the Outaouais region and currently supplies the city of Gatineau as well as the municipality of Chelsea.

Gazifère has been committed to energy efficiency for many years and began supplying renewable natural gas in 2020. It intends to become the first natural gas distributor in North America to offer an all-green, fully renewable energy portfolio before 2050.

For more information

Rémi Moreau

Vice President, Public Affairs & Sustainability,
Evolugen
613-222-6152
remi.moreau@evolugen.com

Sylvie Demers

Lead, Communications and Marketing,
Gazifère
343-552-5984
sylvie.demers@gazifere.com

Gatineau, December 15, 2020

Evolugen and Gazifère Join Forces to Develop Green Hydrogen in Canada 

Evolugen, the Canadian operating business of Brookfield Renewable, and Gazifère Inc., an Enbridge company, today announced their collaboration in advancing the development and use of green hydrogen production in the Outaouais region. The parties intend to pool their expertise over the next several years to develop a green hydrogen-based, low-carbon energy ecosystem in Quebec and other parts of Canada.

This collaboration brings together two leading organizations in the energy sector, with Evolugen operating one of the largest renewable power portfolios in the country, while Gazifère is one of two distributors of natural gas in Quebec.

Under this strategic collaboration, Evolugen and Gazifère will seek to carve out a strong position in the fast-growing but highly competitive green hydrogen market. The two Quebec-based companies believe that this endeavour is in line with government objectives, particularly in Quebec, to achieve ambitious energy transition and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and, ultimately, generate significant economic benefits. Evolugen and Gazifère will also explore development opportunities for innovative green hydrogen projects elsewhere in Canada.

In working with government and industry, Evolugen and Gazifère believe that Quebec and Canada are well-positioned to become a world leader in the production and use of this low-carbon energy source.