Premier to tout province’s LNG projects in Europe

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil headed to Europe Thursday to drum up business opportunities for the province, including two proposed liquefied natural gas projects.

McNeil said he will meet with officials from German energy giant E.ON to pitch Nova Scotia’s LNG potential.

Two companies have proposed LNG projects in Nova Scotia — Pieridae Energy Ltd. of Calgary and Bear Head LNG Corp., a subsidiary of Australiabased Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd.

“We believe there is a real opportunity for LNG plants in Nova Scotia. Germany has expressed a real interest of support around purchasing product out of those. This is my second visit in to see them,’’ McNeil told reporters Thursday morning.

McNeil said both LNG projects are “doable.’’ An LNG megaproject slated for the West Coast — the $36-billion Pacific NorthWest LNG project planned for British Columbia — was scrapped last July.

The premier is also going to France and England before returning June 9.

McNeil said he would also meet officials from the transportation logistics sector, in a bid to expand cargo capacity at Halifax’s Stanfield international airport.

“It’s really a global step for us,’’ he said.

The premier, who was scheduled to board a WestJet inaugural direct flight from Halifax to Paris, was also to meet with officials in the financial and information sectors.