Atlantic Canada is home to a lot of resources valued around the world. From Nova Scotia’s seafood to New Brunswick’s lumber to the potatoes of PEI, we really have a lot to offer. Along with these treasures, the Atlantic provinces have lots to offer when it comes to renewable energy production.
This article highlights just a few of the many communities across the Atlantic provinces leading the way in renewable energy.
Digby, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is a windy province, so it makes sense that the peninsula uses a lot of wind energy. In fact, 18% of the province’s electricity is wind power. One large source is the Digby Neck Wind Farm. Located on a small strip of land at the western end of Nova Scotia, right on the bay of Fundy, the Digby Neck Wind Farm is in the ideal location to generate wind energy.
Commissioned in 2010, Digby Neck’s turbines now produce enough renewable energy to power 10 000 homes annually, an impressive statistic for a county of 17 000 people. Another impressive number from Digby Neck is the amount of CO2 emissions its production offsets each year: a whopping 75 000 tonnes.
Via Province of Nova Scotia
Developed by the Nova Scotia based energy corporation Emera, the wind farm actively explores new smart grid technologies such as battery storages to stretch its energy production even further.
Shediac, New Brunswick
In 2018, the small community of Shediac made waves when it launched the Shediac Smart Energy Community Project. In partnership with New Brunswick Energy, the project aimed to add solar energy to the community’s grid.
Shediac and New Brunswick Energy began by partnering with over 400 homeowners to test out solar technologies before investing in them at a large scale. This included technologies that could be implemented into the community’s grid, such as solar energy storages.
Via NB Power
The second phase of the project involved making two commercial buildings net zero. The Shediac Multipurpose Centre and the Government of Canada Pension Centre were chosen to become the first net zero commercial buildings in New Brunswick. The community did so by equipping the buildings with solar panels and battery storage systems to be connected to a solar farm.
The solar farm in question was the third phase of the project. Set to be completed in 2023, Shediac’s community solar farm will be the first grid-connected solar farm in New Brunswick. The farm will primarily provide electricity to Shediac’s net zero commercial buildings, with excess electricity getting distributed to the community.
Prince Edward Island
The entire province of PEI deserves to be on this list. The island leads the way for renewable energy production in Canada, producing 99% of its energy from renewable sources. Despite its size, the island is home to eight wind farms, contributing to the majority of energy production. The island’s largest farm, West Cape Wind Farm, is home to 55 wind turbines which provide power to 25 000 homes!
Via Government of Prince Edward Island
PEI’s energy production makes it a shining star when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018, contributed exactly 0% of Canada’s GHG emissions from energy production. In fact, oil and diesel energy generation (a big emitter) is only used for emergency stores on the island.
Renewable energy generated in PEI is typically used up by the island’s residents, but during times of excess production (usually a few times a year) PEI also exports its energy.
It’s great to see our provinces being so innovative with their energy production. From us at IGNITE, all the power to you!
Interested in more articles about innovation? Check out the IGNITE Blog!
