Nova Scotia Power today made another important step forward for renewable energy in Nova Scotia, filing an application with the Utility and Review Board (UARB) to develop a 45-megawatt wind farm at Nuttby Mountain, Colchester Co.
“The Nuttby Mountain project responds in a significant way to our customers' desire for more clean energy” said Robin McAdam, Executive Vice President of Sustainability for Nova Scotia Power. “We are excited about being able to undertake this development and demonstrate our commitment to meeting government targets and public expectations regarding renewable energy.”
In addition to the Nuttby Mountain project, other significant renewable energy projects are underway in Nova Scotia. RMS Energy is currently building a 51-megawatt farm on Dalhousie Mountain in Pictou County, and will sell the electricity to Nova Scotia Power. At Maryvale, north of Antigonish, an additional six megawatts of independently produced wind power will be online by year’s end. This fall, Nova Scotia Power will install the first in-stream tidal turbine in the Bay of Fundy.
The application filed with the UARB seeks approval to spend $120 million on the Nuttby project, which would include purchasing and erecting 22 turbines rated at 2.05 MW each, construction of a new substation, and transmission interconnection. In April, the UARB approved Nova Scotia Power purchasing the development rights for Nuttby Mountain from Calgary-based EarthFirst Canada Inc., which fell into financial difficulties. Nova Scotia Power’s design for the Nuttby Mountain farm will generate electricity at a cost that is more than 10 per cent lower than what customers would have paid through the contract with EarthFirst.
The turbines will produce enough energy to power approximately 15,000 homes. The project has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 100,000 tonnes annually. Nuttby Mountain is located 20 kilometres north of Truro.
If approved, the project is expected to begin producing power in late 2010.