Nova Scotia wind project to sell power directly to consumers

The Mersey River Wind project will build 33 onshore turbines generating 150 megawatts and allow customers to buy contracts directly from Renewall Energy; the Canada Infrastructure Bank is providing a $206-million loan.

The Mersey River Wind project launched formally on Thursday and will build 33 onshore turbines about 150 kilometres southwest of Halifax. It is expected to generate 150 megawatts and begin operations late this year. The developer, Renewall Energy Inc., has obtained a retail licence that would let customers buy electricity contracts directly from the project rather than through the province's main utility. Nova Scotia Power currently supplies virtually the entire province and remains the regulated utility provider. Key details: - The project will have 33 onshore turbines and is expected to produce 150 megawatts, reported as enough power for about 50,000 homes. - Customers will be able to buy contracts directly from Renewall Energy Inc.; the company first applied for a retail licence more than four years ago. - The Canada Infrastructure Bank said it is providing a $206-million loan for the development. - The project is eligible for Ottawa's Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit for up to 30 per cent of capital costs and received $25 million through the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program. - Renewall said the first turbines could enter service as early as the end of this year, and about 200 workers are expected on site at peak construction. - Officials noted that more than half of Nova Scotia's current electricity generation is from coal and that this project is the province's first renewable-to-retail licence. Summary: The Mersey River Wind initiative introduces a new route for customers to buy renewable electricity in Nova Scotia and marks a change in the province's electricity market structure. Construction and initial operations are planned to begin late this year, and larger offshore plans such as Wind West remain under study with federal and provincial involvement.