Province Promotes Wind Energy

More than 100 business and community leaders are attending a conference today, Nov. 2, and Wednesday, Nov. 3, at White Point Beach Resort in Queens County to learn more about the future of wind energy in Nova Scotia.

Wind energy has become the world's fastest growing source of new electricity generation and Nova Scotia has one of the best wind regimes in Canada.

The Winds of Change conference will feature presentations by industry experts on a variety of topics, including the site selection, permit, financing and construction requirements needed to make a wind project succeed. The conference will also feature a tour of the 17-turbine, state-of-the-art Pubnico Point Wind development, the third largest wind farm in Canada.

"There's a strong interest in wind power in Nova Scotia and a growing awareness of how this clean, renewable form of energy can benefit our environment and our economy, particularly in rural areas," said Energy Minister Cecil Clarke. "Hosting this conference is another step by the province to encourage and support the development of wind power."

In October, government passed legislation that will require a minimum portion of all new electricity generation to come from renewable sources, such as wind. The new law will make wind projects more attractive for developers by guaranteeing a market for the energy they produce.

There are now four utility scale wind turbines generating electricity in Nova Scotia, with plans for many more.

Recently, Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) stepped up its efforts to develop wind power. In October, it approved 17 renewable energy projects that will add 28 megawatts to the provincial grid. Fifteen of these are wind energy projects. NSPI also put out a call for large-scale renewable projects that will add another 30 megawatts to the grid, which will likely see the development of more wind farms.

"We're excited about the future of wind energy in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Clarke. "Nova Scotia Power has exceeded the voluntary target of 50 megawatts set out in the provincial Energy Strategy and we're well on the way to meeting new targets. Government, NSPI, independent power producers and business and community leaders all recognize the potential to make Nova Scotia a Canadian leader in wind energy development."

The Winds of Change conference is sponsored by Nova Scotia Power Inc., Natural Resources Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Nova Scotia Department of Energy.