Province Takes Energy Plan Tour for Lowest Fairest Rates to Port Hawkesbury

People in the Port Hawkesbury area have a better understanding of what government is doing to ensure the lowest, fairest electricity rates for Nova Scotians over the long term.

Energy Minister Charlie Parker addressed the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce today, March 19, as part of a provincial tour to discuss government's plan to end double-digit electricity rate increases.

"Rising electricity rates are on everyone's mind," said Mr. Parker. "We have a plan in action that will ensure the lowest, fairest electricity rates and we are sharing that plan with Nova Scotians across the province. We are clearly focused on a future that has more diverse energy that is local, reliable, green, tax-free and efficient."

The plan is already taking shape across the province, including in the Port Hawkesbury area.

There are two wind energy projects at Point Tupper. One has been in operation since 2006 and the other since 2010. Together they generate over 23 megawatts of energy. This energy is clean, local and renewable, and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The province's Communities Feed-in Tariff or COMFIT program is the only program of its kind in the world. Recently, the province approved the Celtic Current COMFIT wind projects in the nearby Town of Mulgrave. Once up and operating, this project will offer the town clean, renewable energy and stable prices.

In the Town of Mulgrave, Celtic Current also has COMFIT projects: one 800 kilowatt wind project and two 50 kilowatt wind projects.

Port Hawkesbury also has a 60 megawatt biomass combined heat and power plant that is expected to be online this summer. This plant is an important part of the energy plan because it will use renewable wood fibres to produce electricity for electricity ratepayers, and steam for the paper mill in Point Tupper.

"The Strait area has been on the cutting edge of the transformation to a cleaner energy future in Nova Scotia for more than 15 years," added Mr. Parker. "It was the anchor for the new Sable gas project in 1999, through to one of the first wind projects in 2006 at Point Tupper and again in 2010. Now with Port Hawkesbury set to produce electricity and heat from biomass, this area of the province has taken a leadership role again."

Energy deputy minister Murray Coolican also provided information and an overview of the Muskrat Falls/Maritime Link project, an important part of the province's energy plan and the lowest-cost option for meeting federal and environmental requirements.

The project provides price stability for 35 years and gives Nova Scotia two connections to the North American grid, which improves reliability and promotes competition.