[Greenbuilding] Another Small Step Forward

[Paul M. Eldridge]

There has been considerable discussion of late regarding the consumption of electricity and fossil fuels.  Well, some good news on that front from our neck of the woods.  Tomorrow morning, Newfoundland and Labrador's Nalcor and Nova Scotia Power's parent, Emera, will announce their joint development of the 824 MW Muskrat Falls hydro-electric project.  Under the terms of the agreement, 40 per cent of the power generated is reserved for Newfoundland and Labrador's in-province needs, 20 per cent will be allocated to Nova Scotia Power, and the remainder will be sold throughout Atlantic Canada and, potentially, New England.  In the case of Newfoundland and Labrador, this electricity will displace oil-fired generation, making this province's electricity supply 98 per cent fossil-free, and in Nova Scotia it will displace coal.  The remaining 330 MW can be used to backstop wind, thus allowing wind to increase its total share in this region well beyond what would be achievable otherwise.

If all goes to plan, Muskrat Falls will come on-line in 2017 and Phase Two, Gull Island, will add an additional 2,264 MW sometime thereafter.  Combined, the Upper and Lower Churchill Falls will supply more than 8,500 MW of renewable energy.

Cheers,
Paul

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