Nova Scotia Government Supports Wind Energy Initiative

NATURAL RESOURCES--Nova Scotia Government Supports Wind Energy Initiative

Natural Resources Minister Ernest Fage says a move to bring more renewable energy into the province’s electrical system is "an important step in the right direction."

Nova Scotia Power Inc., announced today that it was asking for expressions of interest from private power producers for up to 50 megawatts of wind energy. Mr. Fage says the move toward more renewable energy is "very much in line with the province’s thinking on a renewed energy strategy."

An additional 50 megawatts of wind power would represent about 2 per cent of Nova Scotia Power’s total generating capacity. At present, more than 70 per cent of the capacity depends upon coal, with the balance in fuel oil, natural gas hydro and tidal power.

Support for renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, fuel cells and biomass was evident in the public submissions and during the recent round of public workshops, said Mr. Fage.

"Our strategy will definitely address the issue of renewable energy sources and energy conservation," he said. "We know we have tremendous opportunities from new offshore energy resources, but we also recognize that the long-range future needs more renewable energy."

The importance of renewable energy was also stressed at the recent Nova Scotia energy forum, Open to the World, held at Saint Mary’s University. Details on the provincial energy strategy process are available on the Nova Scotia Petroleum Directorate Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/energystrategy .