Electricity Act Amendments Allow More Energy Storage Solutions in Nova Scotia

April 3, 2023

Nova Scotia Electricity Act Amendment
Image Source: Nova Scotia Government

Amendments to the Electricity Act introduced on March 22, will open the door for more storage solutions for renewable electricity.

“We need to accelerate the use of battery storage in Nova Scotia to help us get off coal and meet our renewable electricity targets,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “These amendments encourage innovation and early adoption of battery technology in the province.”

Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables

Changes to the act will allow the Department to issue requests for proposals for energy storage solutions, like large-scale batteries. Currently, only Nova Scotia Power is permitted to own such storage methods.

Other amendments will allow the Department to issue contracts for well-developed, innovative energy storage projects that can be implemented quickly. These projects will also help identify the best ways for using energy storage in Nova Scotia.

The amendments support the addition of more renewables to the electricity system while reducing costs for ratepayers.

Quick Facts

  • Nova Scotia’s climate change goals include getting off coal and producing 80 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2030
  • getting off coal requires adequate energy storage technology to balance electricity generation and demand
  • future procurements will consider all types of renewable energy storage

More Information

Bills tabled in the legislature are available at: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-64-session-1

Electricity Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/electricity.pdf

Source

Related Story

CanREA supports Nova Scotia energy storage proposal

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) applauds the Government of Nova Scotia for presenting amendments to the Electricity Act, announced today, that would allow the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables to issue RFPs (requests for proposals) for energy-storage solutions, such as utility-scale batteries.

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Skills Ontario Supports Ontario’s Investments in Skilled Trades in Budget Announcement

    Skills Ontario Supports Ontario’s Investments in Skilled Trades in Budget Announcement

    March 28. 2024 As demand for skilled trades professionals rises, Skills Ontario is commending the government for continued investments in skilled trades and technology programing, working to address the shortfall and need to build the workforce of the future in Ontario.  The skilled trades shortage is costing Ontario approximately $25 billion in foregone GDP. A… Read More…

  • IVRY Launches 7 New VR Lessons

    IVRY Launches 7 New VR Lessons

     IVRY Technologies, a division of IDEAL Electrical, is launching seven new virtual reality (VR) lessons in Canada as part of its Virtual Electrical Training (VET) Series 2 training module. The cutting-edge training will serve as a learning resource for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training centers across Canada. Read More…

  • PEI Budget 2024 Signals Continued Focus on Healthcare, Housing and Affordability for all Islanders 

    PEI Budget 2024 Signals Continued Focus on Healthcare, Housing and Affordability for all Islanders 

    March 28, 2024 Hon. Jill Burridge, Minister of Finance, presented government’s 2024-25 operating budget to the legislative assembly, outlining $3.2 billion in investments for Prince Edward Island with a continued focus on healthcare, housing and affordability measures. “This budget signals where we’re headed as a province and shows Islanders where we will be making key… Read More…

  • BC’s Budget 2024 Prioritizes Actions for Low-Carbon Economy

    BC’s Budget 2024 Prioritizes Actions for Low-Carbon Economy

    March 28, 2024 Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston, met with community climate leaders in Nelson to discuss how Budget 2024 can help support people in the region to transition to a low-carbon economy and meet shared CleanBC goals. “Our government’s budget this year reflects the… Read More…