Projects Approved in Fourteen Communities

Fourteen communities across Nova Scotia are closer to enjoying the benefits of clean, green locally generated electricity as the province announced the next round of approved Community Feed-In Tariff (COMFIT) projects today, March 26.

"We are very pleased with the vision and collaborative approach that has been demonstrated by these applicants," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "These projects will result in communities generating power in their own backyards, while providing economic development opportunities in the communities they serve."

Details of the projects are:

• a 3.2-megawatt wind project owned by Watts Wind Energy, near Porters Lake
• a 100-kilowatt hydro project owned by Halifax Water
• a 50-kilowatt wind project owned by Annapolis Valley Waste in Kentville
• a 500-kilowatt biomass project in Hasset, Digby Co., owned by the Municipality of Digby
• the Municipality of Shelburne's 800-kilowatt large wind project in Sandy Point
• two-megawatt wind projects in Yarmouth and Shelburne, owned by Scotian Windfields
• a 1.5-megawatt project in Goldboro, Guysborough Co., and two 50-kilowatt projects in Mulgrave, owned by Celtic Current
• a 50-kilowatt small wind project in Mulgrave owned by the Town of Mulgrave
• a 500-kilowatt biomass project operated by Windmill Hollsteins in Shubenacadie
• a 1.9-megawatt project operated by Affinity Renewables in Dean, near Stewiacke and 4.8-megawatt project in Truro.

Next steps for applicants include securing financing, completing a grid-impact study and obtaining the required federal and provincial environmental assessments and approvals.

The Community Feed-in Tariff concept was introduced in the 2010 Renewable Electricity Plan to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide a secure supply of clean energy at stable prices and create jobs. The program began accepting applications in September 2011.

More than 100 locally based proposals have been received from more than 20 community groups for this unique, made-in-Nova Scotia initiative to encourage community participation in renewable energy projects.

The Municipality of the District of Digby's biomass project will use mink waste to develop renewable electricity, rather than sending it to landfill.

"This project is one more step towards creating a positive environment for renewable energy investment in Digby," said Warden Linda Gregory. "We commend the province for establishing the right conditions to move this forward."

"COMFIT provides us with the opportunity to turn this waste into clean, locally generated electricity," said Max Barr, president, South West Eco Energy Ltd. "To our knowledge, this is a first for the North American mink industry."

Windmill Holsteins will use a similar process to produce energy from farm waste.

The Community Feed-in Tariff allows eligible groups to receive an established price per kilowatt hour (kWh) for projects producing electricity from certain renewable resources. Rates were established by the Utility and Review Board in September.

Projects can include wind, biomass, in-stream tidal and run-of-the-river hydroelectric developments. Eligible groups include municipalities, First Nations, co-operatives, universities and not-for-profit groups.

The COMFIT program will help the province reach its renewable electricity targets of 25 per cent renewable electricity by 2015 and 40 per cent by 2020. The province expects 100 megawatts of electricity to be produced through the COMFIT program.

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