Renewable Energy Projects in Nova Scotia Communities Get Go-Ahead

Clean, local renewable electricity projects that will benefit people in four more Nova Scotia communities are set to move ahead, with the announcement today, Oct. 18, of the next round of Community Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT) approvals.

"These projects demonstrate that people in many Nova Scotia communities want to do their part to help the environment," said acting Energy Minister Maurice Smith. "At the same time the projects are creating good jobs and contributing to the local economy."

The successful applications include:

• a 50-kilowatt small-wind project on Spiddle Hill, near Tatamagouche, owned by the Colchester Cumberland Wind Field
• a 100-kilowatt wind project (two turbines of 50 kW each) in Cheticamp, owned by the Port Hood and District Recreation Commission
• a 1.8-kilowatt project near Lower Wedgeport, owned by the Membertou Development Corporation in partnership with Watts Wind Energy
• a 1.9-kilowatt project in Point Aconi, owned by Celtic Current

"The Port Hood and District Recreation Commission, as well as the entire area served by the Al MacInnis Sports Centre, is truly encouraged by this project approval," said Joe Morris, local community member and project co-ordinator. "It means that we will be able to generate our own clean, green electricity that will create jobs while benefiting our community."

The 2010 Renewable Electricity Plan introduced the COMFIT concept to help provide a secure supply of clean energy at stable prices, build support for renewable energy projects and create jobs. The program began accepting applications several months ago.

Eligible groups receive an established price per kilowatt hour for projects producing electricity from certain renewable resources. Projects can include wind, biomass, in-stream tidal and river hydroelectric. Eligible groups include municipalities, First Nations, co-operatives, universities and not-for-profit groups.

More than 25 community-based groups have submitted over 100 locally based renewable energy development proposals for this unique, made-in-Nova Scotia initiative. The province expects 100 megawatts to be produced through COMFIT.

For more information on the program, visit www.nsrenewables.ca .