Federal government spending nearly $16M on clean energy projects in Maritimes

Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, is pictured.

The federal government is spending nearly $16 million on renewable energy, carbon capture and grid modernization projects across the Maritimes.

The money will be spread across six projects in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, according to a news release from the federal government. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson announced the influx of cash on Friday.

Hodgson, who was in Charlottetown this week to discuss possible initiatives and federal partnerships, told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis major projects have taken on an added significance amid the ongoing trade war with the United States.

“We can’t control what our friends south of the border do,” Hodgson said. “Projects of national interest will buttress the country against external instability.”

Nova Scotia projects

The most expensive single project on the list is the Advanced Distribution Grid Management by Nova Scotia Power. It will cost $6 million and help modernize the utility’s electricity network.

Millbrook First Nation near Truro will receive $1,011,880 to repurpose vacant tank lots from Imperial Oil to develop a solar farm.

Alternative Resource Energy Authority in Antigonish will receive $875,000 to use advanced metering infrastructure for “intelligent grid management,” which is expected to reduce costs for roughly 3,500 customers.

Dalhousie University will get $704,089 to build a policies and regulations roadmap to support a framework for offshore carbon storage.

New Brunswick, P.E.I. projects

Saint John Energy will take $5,250,000 to modernize electricity distribution in the Port City. The project is anticipated to improve service reliability for approximately 36,000 customers.

The Maritime Electric Company will use $2 million to demonstrate the integration of smart-grid technology in the public cellular network in Charlottetown.

“In P.E.I., and in our region, we are all working hard to reduce emissions, make life more affordable for residents and increase the reliability of our energy systems,” said Gilles Arsenault, minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action in P.E.I. “We need to modernize our electricity distribution system to enhance efficiency and resiliency. This investment in Maritime Electric’s grid modernization is a welcome next step in a more reliable and efficient electrical system in our province.”