Canada: Nova Scotia launches new electricity plan

Nova Scotia government has introduced a new electricity plan that will have more predictable power rates, more competition and innovation, and a utility that is more accountable to ratepayers.

The new plan outlines a vision for the next 25 years and reflects findings from a review that heard from more than 1,300 Nova Scotians and technical experts.

Our Electricity Future: Nova Scotia’s Electricity Plan commits C$1.5 million ($1.1 million) over the next three years to support pilot projects to research technologies related to electricity use and management, storage, solar electricity, and tidal energy.

The plan also includes the government’s decision to allow renewable generators to sell directly to customers.

When it comes to tidal energy, for the near-term plan from 2015 to 2019, the goal is to have between 16 and 22 MW of electricity from instream tidal in production or under active development by the early 2020s at the FORCE site near Parrsboro, which should, the report states, maintain Nova Scotia’s position as one of the leaders in tidal power development.

Michel Samson, Nova Scotia’s Energy Minister, said: “We’re bringing more competition into the electricity marketplace. Moving forward, we will ensure new generation provides the most competitive rates for consumers.”

Also, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board will set performance and reliability standards for Nova Scotia Power, with penalties of up to C$1 million ($735,000) if it does not meet performance standards.

Penalties will not impact rates, but will be paid for by shareholders, Nova Scotia government’s press release reads.

Samson added: “Government is committed to listening to Nova Scotians and taking action so that the electricity system works for them. This plan brings in more accountability and will lead to more predictable rates that Nova Scotians and the business community have been asking for.”

Image: FORCE/OpenHydro tidal turbine/Illustration