Nova Scotia Power has reached a new renewable energy milestone, delivering 30% of Nova Scotia's electricity from renewable sources in 2018.
"Nova Scotians want a cleaner energy future for themselves and our children," said Karen Hutt, President & CEO for Nova Scotia Power. "But we know as we manage this change, we can't overlook affordability. So, as we continue to achieve new records in renewable electricity, we remain focused on ensuring electricity prices stay predictable and affordable for our customers."
Over the past five years, annual rate increases have averaged below the rate of inflation for residential customers and most business customers. At the same time, Nova Scotia Power has been a Canadian leader in reducing carbon emissions - achieving a 36% reduction from 2005 levels. By comparison, the COP21 Climate Conference in Paris called for a 30% reduction from 2005 levels by 2030. NSP projects achieving a 58% reduction by 2030, almost double the international climate conference's goal.
"We have made greener, cleaner energy a priority," Hutt said. "We have 1,700 employees working in communities throughout Nova Scotia who take pride in delivering on our customers' expectations that their electricity comes from more sustainable sources, and that the change is managed at an affordable pace."
Today, wind power is the largest contributor to renewable energy in Nova Scotia, accounting for 18% of electricity in 2018. That's higher than most other provinces and states. Soon, though, hydroelectricity will challenge for Nova Scotia's top spot in renewable energy, thanks to the Maritime Link subsea transmission line to Newfoundland and Labrador. Accessing hydroelectricity from Newfoundland and Labrador will enable Nova Scotia Power to provide 40% renewable energy in 2020, which will be another milestone achievement.
Due to the fact that renewable electricity is largely weather dependent - wind for wind power and rain or snow melt for hydroelectricity - the amount of renewable electricity being generated varies from day to day, and sometimes hour to hour. It's not unusual for 50% or more of Nova Scotia's electricity to be coming from renewable sources. On other occasions, it can be closer to 10%. To see where Nova Scotia's electricity is coming from in the current hour, visit www.nspower.ca/todayspower
