The New Brunswick connection - TJ Business section
Monday, 26 April 2010 11:43 | 
Written by Dennis | 
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Transmission: Nova Scotia plans to draw 40 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The venture will likely require renewable power from outside the province, meaning a second power line may be required between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
DALHOUSIE MOUNTAIN, N.S. - The Nova Scotia government announced a bold plan Friday to boost that province's green electricity consumption. But actually reaching the new renewable energy target will likely require help from New Brunswick.
Under the Renewable Electricity Plan, announced by Premier Darrell Dexter, Nova Scotia will attempt to draw 40 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and tidal, by 2020. If successful, that would quadruple 2009 levels.
The idea is to get Nova Scotia off its heavy addiction to imported fossil fuels, such as coal. Currently, about 90 per cent of the province's electricity comes from fossil fuel generation. As well, the plan aims to stabilize long-term power rates. Electricity rates in Nova Scotia have climbed 30 per cent in the last five years, in part because of volatile fossil fuel prices.
But in a technical briefing before the announcement, officials said reaching the 40 per cent renewable goal hinges on upgrades to the regional power grid.
That's because Nova Scotia will likely have to import some renewable power to meet its goal, as well as bring in base power when the wind isn't blowing and the tides aren't flowing strongly.
The most obvious regional grid upgrade, officials said, involves the connection between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick - specifically, adding another power line between the two provinces.
Despite recent talk of undersea cables connecting Nova Scotia with Newfoundland and New England, Nova Scotia is currently only linked to the regional power grid through New Brunswick.
According to Dexter, a second line linking Nova Scotia with New Brunswick is under "very active consideration."
"In the next little while, as some of the dust clears from the New Brunswick situation, we intend to pursue this (idea) further with Premier Graham," Dexter said, alluding to the scrapped plan to sell NB Power, which he vocally opposed.
"We need to improve our connectivity with New Brunswick," Dexter continued, noting he and Shawn Graham recently discussed the idea at a meeting of the Atlantic Canadian premiers.
For months, before the proposal died, Dexter spoke out against the potential sale of NB Power to Quebec, saying the arrangement could box Nova Scotia out of the regional electricity grid.
On Friday, he said opening the region up as a single market could benefit all the Atlantic provinces.
"If we are going to truly unlock the economic potential of the Atlantic region, it will be heavily dependent on having an appropriate grid system," he told reporters gathered at the recently opened Dalhousie Mountain wind farm in Pictou County, the province's largest.
"I believe the success of these projects are tied to the success of the other parts of our region as well," he continued, surrounded by the wind farm's 34 turbines.
"We are committed to strengthening the grid in the region."
New Brunswick's energy minister, Jack Keir, says it's clear Nova Scotia's renewable electricity plan requires upgrades to the regional grid.
According to Keir, New Brunswick is keen to work with Nova Scotia in developing a second connecting power line.
"We're more than willing to work with all our neighbours in that type of approach," he said.
In Keir's view, regional cooperation on renewable energy could extend throughout Atlantic Canada and into Quebec and New England. That way, power could flow between provinces and states depending on where the wind is blowing and where the tides are rushing.
"If you put on rose-coloured glasses, the best regional approach we could take would be within all of northeastern North America," he said. "We've been working toward that goal for some time."