NSP’S renewable energy numbers edge up

Nova Scotia Power generated 29 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources in 2017, the utility said Tuesday.

That’s up one per cent from the previous year.

“We’ve worked diligently over the past decade to move from coal to cleaner energy by using creative solutions that allow us to take advantage of wind power when it’s available, and ramp up more reliable, electricity generation — such as hydro and thermal — when customers need it most,” said NSP CEO Karen Hutt in a news release.

The utility is testing technology such as battery storage and elec- tric vehicle charger, has entered economic energy exchanges with neighbouring provinces and invested in hydro resources in Nova Scotia, the release said.

The company has tripled its renewable energy generation over the past decade and said it’s “well on track” to achieve the provincially mandated 40 per cent renewable requirement by 2020.

Nova Scotia also has exceeded Canada’s 2030 target of reducing carbon dioxide by 30 per cent from 2005 levels.

“By 2030, Nova Scotia Power expects to achieve a 58 per cent reduction from 2005 levels, which is almost double the national target,” the release said.

Despite this move toward renewable energy, Nova Scotia uses coal — a high greenhouse gas emitter — for almost 60 per cent of its electricity, the highest level in the country. The province is also negotiating an equivalency agreement with Ottawa to get credit for cutting emissions elsewhere that would allow it to continue to use coal beyond 2030.