Nova Scotia Power will likely be using a lot more biomass over the next few years.
This is under a new standard in the Renewable Electricity Regulations under the Electricity Act, requires the utility to purchase 135,000 megawatt hours of readily available renewable energy in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
With the closure of the Northern Pulp Mill and damage from hurricane Fiona, biomass will probably be the only option.
“Biomass is renewable, readily available and burns cleaner than coal,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “Adding more sustainably harvested biomass for a few years is a small thing we can do in the short term to bring more renewables onto the grid while longer term solutions are built.”
Under the new regulations cutting down whole trees to generate electricity won’t be allowed, leaving only biomass in leftover wood and chips.
Quick Facts:
— renewable electricity standards require a specific amount of electricity to be produced from renewables sources such as wind, solar, biomass and hydro
— the current standard requires Nova Scotia Power to generate at least 40 per cent of electricity from renewables
— due to delays with the Maritime Link, the standard was adjusted to an average of 40 per cent from 2020 to 2022; data will be reviewed early in 2023 to determine whether that target was met
— the utility will likely reach about 70 per cent renewables by 2026 with reliable hydro electricity through the Maritime Link and new onshore wind projects
— the renewable electricity standard will increase to 80 per cent in 2030
Under the current standard, 40 percent of renewable electricity is required, which will increase to 80 percent in 2030.
