The government has released its strategy on how to transition the province to clean energy, while ensuring affordability for New Brunswickers and economic growth.
Powering our Economy and the World with Clean Energy - Our Path Forward to 2035 includes a 12-year road map and supporting strategies for the province to meet national and international clean energy transition targets.
"We have a generational opportunity in front of us, to change the way we use energy to live and work, that will lead to a cleaner environment, more economic growth and, most importantly, an affordable and secure energy supply for all New Brunswickers," said Premier Blaine Higgs. "Our energy strategy balances addressing climate change with the growing energy needs and demands from all users in our province."
The strategy focuses on four areas:
- affordability
- energy security and reliability
- regulatory reform
- economic growth
The strategy calls for a significant increase in the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar; more carbon-free baseload nuclear generation with small modular reactors to ensure the province's energy grid has enough power to meet peak demand; developing new energy sources, such as hydrogen and biofuels; and increasing energy conservation and efficiency efforts.
The strategy outlines how the energy landscape will transition in New Brunswick; how the energy mix will change; the actions needed; economic opportunities being created; and the impact the transition will have on how New Brunswickers think about and use energy.
It also outlines actions and requirements to meet federally regulated 2035 clean electricity and climate goals.
"Climate change and the need to move away from greenhouse gas-emitting fuels are creating a global energy transition," said Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland. "Our actions will collectively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half by 2035, putting us well on our way to achieving a net-zero economy and creating new economic opportunities and prosperity for our province."
An energy transition working group will be established. It will engage with First Nations and key stakeholders to ensure their input is considered in the development of initiatives and plans.
