Statement by Lorena Patterson, President and CEO of WaterPower Canada
August 17, 2026, Ottawa, ON – WaterPower Canada celebrates the Definitive Cooperation and Implementation Agreement (DCIA) between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador on Churchill Falls and Gull Island, together with the federal government’s support for the projects.
At nearly $70 billion, the largest clean energy investment in North American history puts hydropower at the centre of Canada’s clean energy future. For Canada’s hydropower sector, this is a landmark moment. It puts waterpower squarely at the centre of the country’s plan to meet rising electricity demand, expand the grid, and build the next generation of clean energy infrastructure.
The scale of these projects reflects what major hydropower can deliver: large volumes of firm, renewable electricity, long-lived infrastructure and the capacity to support industrial growth and a rapidly expanding electricity system.
The agreement also demonstrates the value of long-term partnership between provinces and utilities in advancing major energy infrastructure and creating lasting benefits. As the agreement moves into project development, meaningful Indigenous participation will help form the foundation of its long-term success.
We look forward to seeing this collaboration continue as the agreement is finalized and the Gull Island development and the Churchill Falls upgrades move forward, strengthening Canada’s clean, reliable electricity system.
Background Information
- In December 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Hydro-Québec signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining a framework for the renewal of the Churchill Falls agreement and the development of new hydropower projects, including Gull Island.
- Following an independent review and further negotiations, the Definitive Cooperation and Implementation Agreement was announced on August 17, 2026, replacing the 2024 MOU and setting out a new path forward for Churchill Falls, Gull Island and associated transmission infrastructure.
- Gull Island is planned as a new 2,700 MW hydroelectric facility. Upgrades to the existing Churchill Falls generating station are expected to add approximately 1,275 MW of capacity.
- The federal government has also announced $10 billion dollars in financing and investment support for the projects, including a federal loan guarantee for Gull Island.
About WaterPower Canada
WaterPower Canada is the national voice of Canada’s waterpower industry. As a not-for-profit trade association, WPC represents producers, manufacturers and developers who collectively account for more than 95 per cent of Canada’s waterpower capacity. The association advocates for the responsible development and use of waterpower to meet Canada’s current and future energy needs.
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Media Contact:
Paula Gray, Senior Director of Communications, WaterPower Canada
613-608-8155 | paula@waterpowercanada.ca