Nova Scotia
is charting a course to be a global leader in green energy by
2020.



Halifax, Canada -The government of Nova Scotia has released
a plan  designed to increase renewable electricity supply,
improve energy security, stabilize long-term prices and create
opportunities for jobs and investment.

Premier Darrell Dexter announced that the province has set a
goal of 40 per cent of electricity coming from renewable sources by
2020, nearly four times higher than 2009 levels.

“This strategy will create hundreds of good jobs for Nova
Scotians and a billion-and-a-half dollars in new investment to help
grow the economy,” said Premier Dexter. “Consumers can look forward
to more stable electricity prices and a more secure supply of
energy.” 

The plan outlines an aggressive program to move Nova Scotia away
from imported coal-based electricity towards greener local sources,
supported by world-class wind and tidal resources.

“This strategy will create hundreds of good jobs for
Nova Scotians and a billion-and-a-half dollars in new investment to
help grow the economy,” said Premier Dexter. “Consumers can look
forward to more stable electricity prices and a more secure supply
of energy.”

Nearly 90 percent of the province’s electricity supply comes
from fossil fuels - most of it coal. Coal made more sense when it
was mined in Nova Scotia, but not when bought from others.

This over-reliance on a single fuel source drains wealth away
from the province and has a negative impact on both health and the
environment.

With this plan, government’s commitment to 25 per cent renewable
electricity by 2015 will become law. Other highlights include:

• equal participation by Nova Scotia Power and independent
  producers for medium- to large-size projects to ensure value for
  customers
  
  
  
  



• a fixed price, or feed-in tariff, for community-based projects
  to allow broader participation
  
  
  
  



• enhanced net metering, which credits consumers for the energy
  they produce with wind, solar and other renewables
  
  
  
  



• a cautious approach to biomass, with harvesting standards and
  caps on generation in new and existing plants
  
  
  
  



• feed-in tariffs for small-scale tidal projects and tidal
  arrays, if further development proves safe
  
  
  
  



• encouraging further natural gas use to help balance
  intermittent sources like wind

Highlights

25% Renewable Electricity by 2015 - This plan
commits the 2015 target of 25% renewable electricity to law

The New Goal: 40% Renewable Electricity by 2020
- By 2020, this goal means more than 500,000 homes will be running
on renewable power - more than enough energy for every residential
customer in Nova Scotia.

Community Projects: Fixed Price - This plan
establishes a community-based feed-in tariff for municipalities,
First Nations, co-operatives and non-profit groups. Businesses who
operate through a CEDIF (Community Economic Development Investment
Fund) also qualify.

Individuals and Small Business: Enhanced Net
Metering - Projects up to one megawatt and connected to
multiple meters within a single distribution zone will be eligible
to use two-way meters. Excess power will be purchased at retail
rates.

Large Projects: Regulation + Competition - Half
of all large- and medium-scale projects will be set aside for
Independent Power Producers, with bidding to take place under a
competitive system. All bid processes will be managed by a new
authority, the Renewable Electricity Administrator. NSPI will be
responsible for the other half, with projects evaluated and
approved by the NS Utility and Review Board.

Tidal Power: Small and Large Support - A
feed-in tariff will be offered for small-scale and large-scale
projects.

Solar: Qualifies under Net Metering - Solar
will qualify as a renewable resource under the enhanced net
metering program

Biomass: Proceed with Caution - Forest biomass
will play a role in meeting the 2015 target but there will be caps
on new generation.

The Renewable Electricity Plan is available at href=”http://www.gov.ns.ca/energy”
target=”_blank”>www.gov.ns.ca/energy