Nova Scotia's Clean Energy Projects Win Support from Ottawa

Three Nova Scotia projects won support today, Jan. 11, from the federal Clean Energy Fund.

Nova Scotia demonstration projects for tidal energy, biomass, and smart grid technology are among 19 projects across Canada that will receive funding.

Premier Darrell Dexter congratulated the winners.

"These projects show Nova Scotia is at the leading edge of clean energy innovation. They will also advance development in three important areas of our energy future - tidal, biomass, and wind," he said.

One project will explore the potential of tidal current turbine technology to safely generate electricity in the Bay of Fundy. Another will examine burning biomass in coal plants. The third project, a partnership among Maritime provinces, will examine smart grid technology as an economical way to increase wind energy use.

"This support strengthens Nova Scotia's position as North America's leading centre for tidal research and technology," said John Woods, chair of the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy. "We are grateful Ottawa recognizes the importance of this project."

The premier also said today's announcement proves that Nova Scotia's green targets are having a positive impact on both the economy and the environment.

"Nova Scotia is on the map as a place to invest and develop green technologies," said Premier Dexter. "They see it in Ottawa, they see it in Copenhagen. We have some of the most aggressive legislation in the country and it's creating new jobs and new opportunities."

Nova Scotia is the first and only region in Canada to have legal caps on greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector as part of the province's legislation to cut greenhouse gas emissions to at least 10 per cent below 1990 levels by the year 2020. This goal is supported by Nova Scotia's target of supplying at least 25 per cent of all electricity from renewable sources by 2015.

"Investments in clean energy technologies are a key part of the approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the environment," said Lisa Raitt, federal Minister of Natural Resources. "Canada's Economic Action Plan is investing in 19 innovative projects that will help bring Canada to the forefront of clean energy technology, while creating high-quality jobs for Canadians."

For more information on the successful projects selected from a call for proposals from the clean and renewable energy demonstrations portion of the Clean Energy Fund, visit www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/media/index-eng.php .