Nova Scotia Power generates 30% of its power from renewables

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s private utility says it has hit a new milestone in its delivery of electricity from renewable resources.

Nova Scotia Power says 30% of the electricity it produced in 2018 came from renewable sources such as wind power.

The utility says 18% came from wind turbines, 9% from hydroelectric and tidal turbines and 3% by burning biomass.

However, over half of the province’s electrical generation still comes from the burning of coal or petroleum coke. Another 13% come from burning natural gas and 5% from imports.

The utility says that since 2007, the province’s reliance on coal-fired plants has dropped from 76% of electricity generated to 52% last year.

It says it expects to meet the province’s legislated renewable target of 40% in 2020, when it begins accessing hydroelectricity from the Muskrat Falls project in Labrador.

“We have made greener, cleaner energy a priority,” utility president and CEO Karen Hutt said in a news release.

“As we continue to achieve new records in renewable electricity, we remain focused on ensuring electricity prices stay predictable and affordable for our customers.”

Nova Scotia Power also projects achieving a 58% reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2030.