Nova Scotia authorities have selected five onshore wind projects totalling 372MW to supply power to the province over a period of 25 years.
CustomerFirst Renewables, the procurement administrator for the Province of Nova Scotia, has said the Rate Base Procurement (RBP) portfolio represents approximately 12% of Nova Scotia’s total electricity consumption.
All five projects are majority-owned by one or more Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaq communities, ensuring that Indigenous communities are “meaningfully engaged” in the process.
They include Natural Forces’ Benjamins Mill Wind Farm near Falmouth and Ellershouse 3 Wind Farm in Hants County, which is being developed by a JV of Potentia Renewables and Annapolis Valley First Nation.
Elemental Energy and Sipekne’katik First Nation’s Higgins Mountain Wind Farm and Wedgeport Wind Farm, as well as SWEB Development and Glooscap First Nation’s WEB Weavers Mountain Wind near Marshy Hope, have also been selected.
All five projects must be operational by the end of 2025.
The average energy rate of the RBP portfolio is C$53.17 per megawatt hour, which delivers tangible value for Nova Scotia ratepayers, by being lower than the average cost of electricity in Nova Scotia.
Each project will receive a 25-year power purchase agreement with Nova Scotia Power for the sale of their renewable electricity.
They must secure all required regulatory permits and approvals, including an environmental assessment which involves holding community consultations.