Wind Energy

CanWEA applauds Nova Scotia for setting wind farm pay rates

Spokeswoman Emilie Moorehouse says her group’s analysis of the rates indicate that community groups such as farming co-operatives will be able to make a small profit by investing in the wind turbines. Nova Scotia Power would purchase the wind power generated electricity and use it on its transmission lines.

In a decision released Monday, the review board set a price of 45.2 cents per kilowatt hour for small wind turbines with a capacity of 50 kilowatts or less — about enough to provide electricity to five homes.

Moorehouse says the decision sets a limit on the total amount of wind energy Nova Scotia Power would buy, but she says the small wind farm projects by farms, small businesses and co-operatives will likely raise public awareness of the value of wind power.

The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) applauds the recent decision by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) to take a leadership role in encouraging individuals and communities to invest in generating clean renewable power. The UARB set a price of 45.2 cents/kWh for small wind turbines (50 kW and under) and of 13.9 cents/kWh for larger community wind projects (above 50 kW). This announcement positions the Province of Nova Scotia at the forefront of North America in small and community wind energy projects. Small wind energy systems have a rated capacity of 300 kW or less, and are used to power homes, farms, small businesses and off-grid communities.

"The price set by the UARB for small and community wind will allow communities in Nova Scotia to take an active role in the province’s renewable electricity future," said Emilie Moorhouse, Distributed and Community Wind Policy Manager at CanWEA. "In addition to community involvement, the small and community wind Feed-in-tariff will provide an important local economic stimulus by creating more jobs in this province, which is already home to a leading manufacturer of 50 kW turbines."

With the small wind Feed-in-tariff, Nova Scotia is joining the ranks of other leading jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom and United States, who are offering small wind Feed-in-tariffs or rebates.

CanWEA also applauds the process undertaken by the Nova Scotia government and the UARB in setting the Feed-in-tariff price for small and community wind which has been open, transparent and has actively sought feedback from stakeholders.

"CanWEA looks forward to working with the Government of Nova Scotia for the successful implementation of the renewable electricity plan and is pleased by the leadership shown," said Emilie Moorhouse.

www.canwea.ca/