Nova Scotia Green Economy Gets a Boost with Large Procurement for Renewable Energy

The Nova Scotia government is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to attract low-cost and innovative solutions to supply 10 per cent of the province’s electricity from renewables, such as wind and solar.

This will create 4,000 jobs, mostly in rural Nova Scotia, and generate more than $550 million in construction activity in wind-rich areas, such as Guysborough, Pictou, Antigonish, Hants, Cumberland, and Colchester counties.

Once these projects are operational, they will also reduce Nova Scotia’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1 million tonnes each year as the RFP seeks 350 megawatts of electricity from renewables.

“This is about doing what’s right for ratepayers and keeping electricity affordable,” said Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin. “It also ensures we mitigate risks for ratepayers and establish an energy sector that attracts business.”

Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin announces largest ever procurement for renewable energy in the history of the province.

Wind is now the cheapest source of electrical energy in Canada.

The premier also announced an aggressive, new renewable electricity standard, requiring 80 per cent of Nova Scotia’s electricity to come from renewable resources by 2030.

This call for proposals will help the province get closer to the 80 per cent target and support the province’s goal of achieving a 53 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050.

“These accelerated targets will need a mix of solutions from electrification, decarbonizing and energy management, and require a range of technology solutions from generation, storage and next generation materials, and we are excited to be working with companies from across Canada to address this here in Nova Scotia,” said Beth Mason, president and CEO, Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment.

The requests for proposals are being administered by CustomerFirst Renewables. Other RFPs will be issued at a future date to meet the needs of our renewable energy ambitions.

The province is in negotiations with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to collaborate on innovative and competitive financing arrangements for bidders. An agreement with the CIB can help jump start new renewable energy projects in Nova Scotia while bolstering  leadership on climate change and keeping rates affordable for Nova Scotians

Brandy Giannetta, vice-president of policy, regulatory and government affairs, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) supports the transition to renewable energy in Nova Scotia.

Brandy Giannetta, vice-president of policy, regulatory and government affairs, CanREA. 

“CanREA very much welcomes Nova Scotia’s new commitment to having renewable energy power 80 per cent of its electricity grid by 2030,” said Giannetta. “The province is demonstrating great leadership by accelerating the decarbonization process and we are confident that renewables will enable them to reach their goals sooner.”

For further information about this RFP for renewable energy in Nova Scotia, click here.