Coal is a valuable and plentiful resource found around the world. One use of coal is as a fuel used to generate electricity.
Fifty per cent of North America's electrical power is produced by coal. In Nova Scotia it's about 57 per cent. Until 1999, Nova Scotia Power used coal mined in the province and built its plants to burn that local resource. Today, government-run coal mining operations in the province are closed and Nova Scotia Power sources most of its coal from international markets.
In 2004, NSPI constructed a coal handling facility in the Strait of Canso. The terminal brings the world's low-sulphur coal markets to our door, affording flexibility in fuel pricing and environmental management.
We use a mixture of coal and petroleum coke to improve production in its coal-fired plants. Petroleum coke is a by-product of the oil refining process. Like coal, petroleum coke is produced worldwide. North America accounts for over 65 per cent of global production. Petroleum coke provides many generation benefits including lower ash production and more efficient burning properties.