Premier Houston takes energy pitch to Alberta conference

While many premiers are focused on trade, Premier Houston is attempting to gain investors in his Wind West project.

While many politicians are locked in on trade, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is pitching his case to the Canadian Energy Executive Association’s annual conference in Alberta – and to that province.

“We can all lift each other up and we can support each other,” Houston told CTV Calgary on Thursday. “It is not a competition. We can all support each other. And I think Premier (Danielle) Smith recognizes that.”

Houston has been trying to drum up support for Nova Scotia, saying Wind West will make the province an energy superpower.

Opposition parties at home agree Wind West has potential, but say action is needed.

“We’re hearing all about this project and that project and energy superpower and a lot of terms getting thrown around,” says NDP energy critic Susan Leblanc. “But what I’m not hearing is a real plan to make sure that Nova Scotians have reliable energy, affordable energy and clean energy.”

“The concept is good,” says Iain Rankin, the provincial Liberal interim leader. “I believe it’s pretty far off and optimistic to say that it’s going to be our economic saviour.

“The transmission is the key piece that’s missing here.”

Government says it’s trying to “responsibly develop” onshore and offshore oil and natural gas, wind, solar, tidal and more.

Becoming an energy superpower is possible, says Dalhousie University professor Grant Wach.

“Very realistic,” the geoscience professor says. “It will take some years, but we have all the skills and ability here.”

But establishing Canada’s first offshore wind development is going to be expensive, he says.

“There’s that there’s no getting around that. Look at Muskrat Falls, how that ballooned in costs for the hydroelectricity.

“We need to develop safe, reliable, renewable systems,” he tells CTV News. “We have the technology to be building the turbines. The work would be wonderful for Nova Scotia and the Maritimes.”

The first phase of Wind West has been estimated to cost about $60 billion, between turbines and transmission lines.

Companies pondering Wind West have said 2035 could be the earliest to expect turbines in the water.

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