Premier Iain Rankin has announced an aggressive, new renewable electricity standard, requiring 80 per cent of the province’s electricity to come from renewable resources by 2030.
Saturday, Rankin said a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued to attract low-cost and innovative solutions to supply 10 per cent of the province’s electricity from renewables, such as wind and solar.
He said this call for proposals will help the province get closer to it’s 80 per cent target and support the province’s goal of a 53 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050.
Rankin said this will create 4,000 jobs, mostly in rural areas, and generate more than $550 million in construction activity in wind-rich areas, such as Guysborough, Pictou, Antigonish, Hants, Cumberland, and Colchester counties.
He said the projects will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1 million tonnes each year.
The RFP seeks 350 megawatts of electricity from renewables.
“This is about doing what’s right for ratepayers and keeping electricity affordable,” said Rankin. “It also ensures we mitigate risks for ratepayers and establish an energy sector that attracts business.”
He said wind is now the cheapest source of electrical energy in the country.
