Port of Belledune Green Energy Hub
The Belledune Port Authority (BPA) is developing a Green Energy Hub on port lands in northeastern New Brunswick, a special development district intended to attract green energy projects and low-carbon industry. The initiative is the centrepiece of the BPA's Master Development Plan 2022 to 2052, a 30-year roadmap adopted in October 2022 to transition the port away from declining traditional industries following the closure of the Brunswick lead and zinc smelter in 2019 and the mandated federal phase-out of coal-fired power generation by 2030.
The port is situated on the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi'gmaq people, covered by the Peace and Friendship Treaties first signed with the British Crown in 1725 to 1726. Pabineau First Nation and Eel River Bar First Nation are recognised as Indigenous rightsholders at the Port of Belledune and have been active participants in the port's development planning.
Sources: Port of Belledune, Master Development Plan announcement, October 2022; Port of Belledune, Master Development Plan page; Westinghouse, May 2025
Overview
The Port of Belledune is a deep-water cargo port on Chaleur Bay, approximately 35 kilometres northwest of Bathurst and 50 kilometres east of Dalhousie. Established in 1968, the port is a year-round, ice-free facility with four marine terminals and a maximum draft of 14.3 metres at chart datum (Terminal 2). The Belledune Port Authority is a federally incorporated, self-sufficient port authority established on 29 March 2000 under the Canada Marine Act. Terminal operations are managed by QSL under a 25-year agreement signed in December 2024.
The Green Energy Hub envisions wind energy, hydrogen production, biomass, solar, and, in the longer term, small modular reactor (SMR) technology providing clean energy for port-based industries. A March 2025 update from the BPA's CEO described a phased approach: power generation using biomass, wind and solar within two to three years; hydrogen production within four to five years; and SMR deployment in approximately eight to ten years.
Sources: Port of Belledune, Wikipedia; Port of Belledune, Location page; Transport Canada, Port Authorities; BPA and QSL partnership announcement, December 2024; CBC News, March 2025
| Category |
Information |
| Location |
Belledune, northeastern New Brunswick |
| Proponent |
Belledune Port Authority |
| Terminal Operator | QSL (25-year agreement, December 2024) |
| Port Type | Deep-water cargo port, year-round, ice-free |
| Terminals | Four (bulk, liquid bulk, Ro-Ro, and project cargo) |
| Maximum Draft | 14.3 m at chart datum (Terminal 2) |
| Annual Cargo Tonnage | 2,262,021 metric revenue tons (FY2023) |
| Master Development Plan | 2022 to 2052 (adopted October 2022) |
| Green Energy Hub Status | Planning and early development |
| President and CEO | Denis Caron |
Sources: Port of Belledune, Wikipedia; Port of Belledune, Location page; BPA and QSL partnership announcement, December 2024
The BPA launched its long-range planning process in late 2020. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency provided more than C$1.7 million through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative to fund the series of studies that produced the Master Development Plan. The plan was developed with input from experts in marine transportation, green energy, community and industry stakeholders, and Indigenous rights holders.
In August 2022, the BPA reached an agreement in principle with Cross River Infrastructure Partners to develop a green hydrogen production facility at the port. The initial project would use 200 MW of clean firm power to produce green ammonia fuel for export. The BPA's CEO described it at the time as a C$1 billion commercial pilot project, with production originally targeted for 2027. Planned expansions would increase capacity to 500 MW of hydrogen production fuelled by up to 1,500 MW of new wind developments.
Separately, the BPA has completed or advanced port infrastructure upgrades including a C$25 million dry bulk conveyor loop project (C$12.5 million from the federal National Trade Corridors Fund, announced February 2023) and a C$35 million expansion of Terminals 3 and 4. The BPA has also signed memoranda of understanding with the Port of Hamburg and Niedersachsen Ports GmbH & Co. (Port of Wilhelmshaven) in Germany to supply clean fuels and green products.
Sources: Port of Belledune, Master Development Plan announcement, October 2022; Cross River Infrastructure Partners, press release; Huddle.Today, August 2022; Port of Belledune, World Hydrogen Summit announcement, May 2024; Transport Canada, February 2023; ONB Canada
Development Stage (September 2026)
Status: Planning and early development
Sources: Westinghouse, May 2025; CBC News, 31 August 2026
| Date |
Milestone |
| 1968 |
Belledune Port Authority created under the Canada Marine Act |
| 29 March 2000 |
BPA signs Relationship, Engagement and Consultation Protocol with Pabineau First Nation, Eel River Bar First Nation, and Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc. |
| 2018 | Brunswick lead and zinc smelter (Glencore) closes permanently |
| Late 2020 |
Long-range planning process begins |
| 2021 |
BPA, Pabineau First Nation, Eel River Bar First Nation, and MTI sign Impact Assessment Agency Protocol |
| August 2022 | Agreement in principle with Cross River Infrastructure Partners for green hydrogen facility |
| October 2022 |
Master Development Plan 2022 to 2052 adopted |
| November 2022 |
BPA and ARC Clean Energy announce exploration of ARC-100 SMR at the Green Energy Hub |
| February 2023 |
Federal government announces C$12.5 million for C$25 million dry bulk conveyor loop project |
| December 2024 |
BPA and QSL sign 25-year terminal operating agreement |
| May 2025 |
Westinghouse signs MoU with Pabineau First Nation and Eel River Bar First Nation for AP300 SMR opportunities |
| August 2026 |
Prodigy Clean Energy proposal for Indigenous-owned transportable nuclear power under consideration |
Sources: Port of Belledune, Wikipedia; Port of Belledune, Relationship page; Port of Belledune blog, Earth Day; BPA 2021 Annual Report; Cross River Infrastructure Partners; World Nuclear News, November 2022; Transport Canada, February 2023; BPA and QSL, December 2024; Westinghouse, May 2025; CBC News, 31 August 2026
Indigenous Participation
The Port of Belledune is situated on the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi'gmaq people, covered by the Peace and Friendship Treaties signed between the British Crown and the Mi'kmaq, Wolastoqey, and Peskotomuhkati peoples between 1725 and 1779. These treaties did not include any land cession or surrender.
Pabineau First Nation (Oinpegitjoig) and Eel River Bar First Nation (Ugpi'ganjig) are Mi'gmaq communities located in northern New Brunswick and are recognised as Indigenous rightsholders at the Port of Belledune.
In 2018, the Belledune Port Authority signed a Relationship, Engagement and Consultation Protocol with Pabineau First Nation, Eel River Bar First Nation, and Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc. (MTI), the organisation representing eight of its member Mi'gmaq First Nations in New Brunswick for the purposes of the protocol. The BPA described this as the first agreement of its kind among Canadian Port Authorities. The protocol establishes ongoing mutual transparency and respect regarding port activities, adjacent unceded and Crown lands, and the surrounding environment.
In 2021, the BPA, Pabineau First Nation, Eel River Bar First Nation, and MTI signed a separate Impact Assessment Agency Protocol, described as a first-of-its-kind agreement that guarantees First Nations involvement in determining the impacts of development projects on port land.
In May 2025, Westinghouse Electric Company signed a memorandum of understanding with Pabineau First Nation and Eel River Bar First Nation to explore AP300 SMR and long-duration energy storage opportunities at the port. Chief Terry Richardson of Pabineau First Nation said the partnership reflected a belief that growing the provincial economy benefits both First Nations and the wider province.
As of August 2026, Pabineau and Eel River Bar First Nations are considering a Prodigy Clean Energy proposal for an Indigenous-led and owned transportable nuclear power plant, with components proposed to be assembled at the Port of Belledune. This remains at the community consideration stage.
Sources: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Peace and Friendship Treaties; Port of Belledune, Relationship, Engagement and Consultation page; Port of Belledune blog, Earth Day; BPA 2021 Annual Report; Westinghouse, May 2025; CBC News, 31 August 2026
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