Quebec and Newfoundland Formalize Gull Island Hydroelectric Transmission Treaty and Revenue Sharing

QUEBEC CITY, QC — The governments of Quebec and Newfoundland & Labrador finalized a historic interprovincial treaty codifying 50-50 equity co-development for the 2,250-megawatt Gull Island hydroelectric megaproject and establishing shared transmission rights through the Hydro-Québec grid.

Resolving Historical Grievances with 50-50 Clean Power Equity

The treaty supersedes the controversial 1969 Churchill Falls contract, ensuring Newfoundland & Labrador receives market-rate power revenues while Hydro-Québec secures 15 terawatt-hours of firm clean energy annually to power heavy industrial decarbonization and aluminum smelters. The treaty includes binding arbitration mechanisms for future transmission tariff reviews.

Premier Fréchette and Premier Wakeham jointly declared that mutual respect and clean energy partnership will power Eastern Canada’s green economy for the next century.

Industry and Environmental Reactions

Clean energy engineering firms commended the joint venture framework, projecting 8,000 high-paying regional union jobs during peak dam construction.

Environmental review boards are preparing joint federal-provincial environmental assessment terms of reference.

Joint Commercial Entity Formation

The newly formed Gull Island Energy Corporation will establish corporate headquarters in Happy Valley-Goose Bay by December 2026.