POWERING A GREEN NOVA SCOTIA, TOGETHER


We’re on a path to building a cleaner, greener energy future for our province. It’s why we’re moving off coal and working to reach 80% renewable energy by 2030.

Like any goal worth striving for, there is a lot to consider. And we know it’s critical that we listen to our customers and our communities as we work to build a greener Nova Scotia, together.

Our clean energy transition includes:


A proposed new Transmission Line from Salisbury, NB to Onslow, NS
Proposed Grid-Scale Battery projects at three sites across Nova Scotia
Implementation of new wind capacity from the Province of Nova Scotia’s Wind Procurement
Exploring new fast-acting generation, such as gas turbines, to support our rapid renewable energy growth and provide reliable, back-up energy

our energy stats


We have a responsibility to provide our customers with clean, reliable electricity, every day. That’s why we’re committed to meeting provincial and federal goals to reach 80% renewable energy and moving off coal by 2030. The only way to get there is by working together to enable a clean energy future.

How we’ll reach 80% renewable energy


Through our Integrated Resource Planning—a roadmap for Nova Scotia’s energy future—we know a mix of energy solutions will be needed to enable this transition, and to continue providing you with safe, reliable electricity.

Wind is a low-cost source of clean energy that will play a crucial part in our transition. We’re lucky to have an abundance of it in Nova Scotia! Through the Province of Nova Scotia’s Wind Procurement, up to 372 MW of wind energy will be added to our grid. We look forward to continuing to work with the Province, independent power producers and Mi’kmaq partners on integrating more wind on to the system.

Solar is one way to add more renewable energy to the grid, contributing to a greener future for the province—but not everyone is able to install solar panels on their home or business. That’s why in 2021, we launched our first community solar garden. It’s a simple way for all Nova Scotians to have access to solar energy, without having to install their own panels.


community solar garden

Batteries and other energy storage technologies are essential in helping us integrate more renewable energy. Not only can they help us store intermittent renewable energy like wind and solar but also help improve reliability, by providing back-up power during peak demand and low renewable-energy generation—when wind isn’t blowing, and the sun isn’t shining.

In July 2022, the Federal Government announced an investment of up to $130 million to help install batteries across Nova Scotia. We are proposing three Grid-Scale Battery projects in three locations: HRM, King’s County and Bridgewater. These locations were chosen because they are near one of our substations and adjacent to 138 kV transmission lines that transport electricity from nearby renewable sources.

Grid-Scale Batteries will benefit the entire grid, helping secure and increase the reliability of nearby renewable energy. With the ability to store energy, we can better respond to periods of high demand, or when renewable generation is low.

 

The Intelligent Feeder Pilot Project:

We’ve been exploring how battery storage can help us bring more clean energy to the grid, through the Intelligent Feeder Project in Elmsdale. This project enables us to store power generated by a nearby windfarm and then supply it to the grid to meet customers’ demand.

The learnings from this innovative pilot project are helping our team plan for these larger proposed battery sites.

Battery Storage

NS-NB Intertie:

A proposed second 345kV transmission line twinning the current line running from Salisbury, NB to Onslow, NS will help provide continued reliable services to our customers in Nova Scotia. It will also support the development of renewable energy sources inside our province and facilitate clean energy import as well as export options. 


Maritime Link:

The Maritime Link enables us to connect to clean, reliable hydropower in Newfoundland & Labrador—helping us grow our use of renewable energy through consistent clean energy imports.

Atlantic Loop

A proposed 1000km high-capacity bi-directional line that would connect
Atlantic Canada with Quebec and the North American Energy Market, enabling two-way flow of clean energy.

Atlantic Loop Factsheet

 

How You Can Get Involved


The transition to a cleaner energy future will take all of us working together to do the right thing for our communities and for generations to come. You can get involved by asking us questions and for updates, attending a future open house and/or signing up for a newsletter. Please fill out the form below and let us know how you would like to be engaged.

You can also contact us at any time at cleanenergyfuture@nspower.ca.
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Engaging Our Communities


Listening to our communities is a critical part of our clean energy transition. Your input is helping inform our decision making, as we transform how we make and deliver energy. That’s why we’re committed to conducting transparent and inclusive engagement processes that are responsive and accountable.

Our teams have been having productive conversations about our clean energy transition, engaging communities impacted by this transition through a number of meetings and town-hall events.

Events List

Learn about the proposed grid-scale battery projects

Grid-scale battery projects, like the one we're proposing, will support our clean energy transition and enable the integration of new renewables, as well as strengthen our grid.

Join us at an upcoming open house and speak with our team about proposed grid-scale battery projects located in Bridgewater, Waverley, and the Valley. Come chat with our team to learn more, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Saturday, October 14 | 10 AM–2 PM

Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre
135 N Park Street, Bridgewater, NS

Wednesday, October 18 | 2–7 PM

Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 90
2234 Rocky Lane Drive, Waverley, NS

Monday, October 30 | 2–7 PM

White Rock Road Community Center
1542 White Rock Road, Wolfville, NS


 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Don’t you need coal as a reliable back-up source of energy?

Coal has been an important part of our history here in Nova Scotia, but we know it can’t be part of our long-term future. As part of our path to 2030, we’re removing coal from our energy mix, and transitioning to renewable energy.

A critical part of this transition is ensuring that we can continue to meet demand and deliver reliable electricity to our customers, every day. This will take a mix of solutions, one of which is on the conversion of two of our coal units to natural gas, while ensuring we’re planning for the future and the potentially eventual use of hydrogen for these units.

Natural gas is a fast-acting source of energy, meaning it can be activated quickly as a reliable back-up. The potential for hydrogen is incredible--not just for utilities, but many other applications, including buildings and transportation. Hydrogen can be produced from diverse local resources with the potential for near-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

What will be the next coal plant to close? Will they all be closed by 2030?

We are committed to continuing to work toward the 2030 renewable energy goals. This is a huge undertaking, and it has to be done in a way that manages the cost impacts to customers.

There’s a lot of important work ahead, and we know it will take all of us—government, stakeholders and customers—working together to achieve these goals. We are committed to doing that and are having productive conversations with government and key stakeholders.

How big are the battery sites?

On average, a battery site is typically 3 acres. Battery containers are long rectangular structures with a low profile, which closely resemble the shape of a shipping container. The project team is still finalizing details about the total size, MW and number of structures/containers that will be included in each site.

Do the battery sites pose any environmental concerns?

Because of the small footprint of our three proposed battery sites, an environmental assessment is not needed. Our environmental team is completing reviews of the potential project locations to identify and mitigate any environmental considerations. This includes the completion of Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment on all sites, to identify potential Mi’kmaw archaeology at or near the project sites.

Are there any safety concerns for the battery sites?

Safety is our first priority in project design, construction and operation of future grid-scale battery facilities.

We will ensure all aspects of the design and construction meet the highest safety standards, as well as meet or exceed industry practice.

Fire prevention is another component of the design of battery facilities. We’re engaging subject matter experts in the review and evaluation of fire suppression system design. We also plan to engage with all local fire departments regarding the three proposed sites.

Why were these locations chosen for the battery sites?

There are three potential communities chosen as future battery sites:

  • Bridgewater, Queens County
  • Waterville, Kings County
  • Spider Lake, HRM

These sites have been chosen because they:

  • were identified as part of the IRP process as ideal locations in the province to balance the grid and support the reliable supply of energy to customers across the province;
  • are adjacent to 138 kV transmission lines, necessary to transport electricity from nearby renewable sources; and
  • are close to nearby substations, needed to convert and distribute electricity to customers in surrounding communities and across the grid.

 

Are electromagnetic fields a health concern near powerlines?

The electricity distributed to our homes produces an electromagnetic field which the Government of Canada considers extremely low. In your home, the electric fields from transformer boxes and power lines are often weaker than the fields from household appliances. For more information, visit Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) - Canada.ca.

How does solar play a role in Nova Scotia’s clean energy transition?

Solar is a part of Nova Scotia's future. We launched our utility’s first community solar garden in Amherst. It produces about 2700 MWh of electricity a year – enough to power about 240 homes. This pilot project is providing us a better understanding of the benefits for both customers and the grid to help form future decisions. You can learn more about this at: nspower.ca/communitysolar.

How will the transition to renewable energy impact my bill?

Delivering electricity that’s clean, reliable and affordable for our customers is our priority.

As we work towards 80% renewable energy, we’re committed to working with all levels of government and stakeholders to ensure an affordable transition for Nova Scotians.

Why should I get involved?

The transition to cleaner energy future will take all of us Nova Scotians working together to do the right thing for our communities and for generations to come. 

Having our customers, Indigenous groups and other stakeholders involved enables them to continue informing our planning and approaches.

Can you still meet governments 2030 climate goals?

These goals are less than seven short years away, and there is a lot of work to do. It won’t be easy.

Provincial legislation still requires us to reach 80% renewable energy by 2030, and federal policy requires the closure of coal plants by 2030, and we’re committed to reaching these goals.

We’re continuing to have discussions with both the federal and provincial governments, and other stakeholders, on next steps and how to move forward to achieve these goals together.

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Modernizing our grid

As the energy our customers use continues to get greener over time, we’re also modernizing our grid to offer more choice and convenience to all Nova Scotians when using electricity.