Bear Head Energy and Eskasoni First Nation sign cooperation agreement for green energy project
UNAMA’KI (CAPE BRETON), NOVA SCOTIA / MI’KMA’KI September 8, 2023 – Bear Head Energy, Inc.
Bear Head Energy, Inc. (“Bear Head”) and Eskasoni First Nation (“Eskasoni”) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“Agreement”) to cooperate on Bear Head’s proposed green hydrogen and ammonia production, storage, and loading facility in Tui’knek / Point Tupper, NS.
The Agreement affirms a commitment to work together and provides a framework for engaging in dialogue to identify areas of joint opportunity for economic activities in balance with continued stewardship and safeguarding of the land and water. Bear Head will seek to support Eskasoni and enhance the community’s development by facilitating meaningful participation in the project and potential business ventures.
"Working collaboratively with industry on sustainable developments is not only important for economic growth, but it allows us to build capacity within our community and protect and steward the land and water for future generations," said Chief Leroy Denny of Eskasoni First Nation. "Our partnership with Bear Head Energy is based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to environmental responsibility, and we look forward to working together to create lasting benefits for our community and the region."
"Fostering meaningful relationships with Mi’kmaw communities is important to developing a sustainable project,” said Paul MacLean, Managing Director of Bear Head Energy. “By working collaboratively with Eskasoni First Nation, we can ensure that our project benefits rightsholders and respects the cultural, environmental, and social values of the land and its people."
In July 2023, Bear Head and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs signed an agreement to amend a 2019 Mutual Benefits Agreement, reinforcing the commitment by both parties to develop the project in an environmentally sustainable manner and ensure Mi’kmaq inclusion, participation, and benefits.
A wholly owned subsidiary of BAES Infrastructure, Bear Head is committed to respecting Mi’kmaw rights and supporting the social, cultural, environmental, and educational goals of its First Nations partners.
In 2022, Bear Head announced its plan to develop the proposed green hydrogen and ammonia production, storage, and loading facility. The project received Environmental Assessment approval from the Nova Scotia Department of Environmental and Climate Change in April 2023. Bear Head is one of the only fully permitted green hydrogen and ammonia production sites in North America.
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Photo Caption: Eskasoni First Nation Chief Leroy Denny and Bear Head Energy Country Manager Paul MacLean sign a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on Bear Head’s proposed green hydrogen and ammonia production, storage, and loading facility. Eskasoni Councillors Bertram “Muin” Bernanrd (L) and John Frank Toney (R) joined the September 5, 2023, signing ceremony.
Media Contact:
Eskasoni First Nation
Alyssia Jeddore
Business Development Officer
Eskasoni Band
Bear Head Energy
Sean Lewis
slewis@iriscomms.ca
902-222-9240
BAES Infrastructure
baesinfra@fti.com
About Eskasoni First Nation
Eskasoni Mi’kmaq Nation is one of five Mi’kmaq communities in Cape Breton and is the largest Mi’kmaq community in the world. Eskasoni is committed to protecting and enhancing the land and resource-based economy that they regard as essential to maintain the way of life and culture and the well-being of future generations.
About Bear Head Energy
Bear Head Energy is developing a large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia project in Nova Scotia, which has geographical characteristics that give the region the potential to become a premier hub for green hydrogen and ammonia production globally. Upon completion, the project is expected to produce up to 2 million tonnes of green ammonia per year for export to markets across the globe. Bear Head Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of BAES Infrastructure, a diversified energy company focused on the development, construction, and operation of energy transition projects. BAES Infrastructure is supporting the development of the project by serving as the connecting thread bridging commercial, financial, technical, and public elements together to develop bespoke solutions that will help bring the project from concept to realization. For more information about Bear Head Energy, visit www.bearheadenergy.ca.
About BAES Infrastructure
BAES Infrastructure’s mission is to build the infrastructure and logistics that will serve the energy needs of tomorrow. BAES Infrastructure is focused on developing early-stage, technology-ready projects across a variety of end products, energy value chains, and investment structures. It leverages the operating expertise, reputation, customer base, asset footprint, and global industry network of Buckeye Partners, L.P. and other stakeholders to develop and invest in the infrastructure solutions enabling the global energy transition. For more information about BAES Infrastructure, visit www.baesinfra.com.
