Funding for Eskasoni First Nation Green Energy Project

The Province is funding a solar energy generation system for the lobster storage facility at Eskasoni Cold Logistics.

The investment of more than $128,000 will support the development and installation of a 583-kilowatt ground-mounted solar energy system that will reduce overall energy demands and lower energy costs.

“Nova Scotia is a national leader in fighting climate change. Transitioning to more renewable energy sources like solar power helps propel us toward our ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. This project is a prime example of how community-led projects can help us reach our collective goals,” said Brian Comer, Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health and MLA for Cape Breton East, on behalf of Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables.

This project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide training opportunities for community members in the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems.

The federal government is contributing more than $1.1 million to the project while the Eskasoni First Nation is contributing more than $245,000.

Quotes:

“Reliable infrastructure is key to building stronger and healthier communities. We are proud to partner with the Government of Nova Scotia and the Eskasoni First Nation on this important renewable solar energy project that will create a healthier environment and benefit the community for years to come.”

– Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, on behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“Eskasoni First Nation is committed to finding ways to grow our renewable energy sector and find sustainable solutions that are environmentally conscious. We are moving towards green energy commercially and residentially and we are proud to do so. As Mi'kmaq, we are always keeping the future generations at the forefront of our decision making in an effort to ensure environmental stewardship.”

– Leroy Denny, Chief of the Eskasoni First Nation

Quick Facts:

• the Province has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 53 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030
• buildings contribute 12 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the province
• the total cost of the Eskasoni Green Energy project is $1,495,691

Additional Resources:

Nova Scotia’s renewable energy plan: https://energy.novascotia.ca/renewables

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Nova Scotia: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ns-eng.html

Investing in Canada Plan project map: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Natural Resources and Renewables on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_DNRR