The Nova Scotia government is modifying the Electricity Act to make it possible to add more clean, renewable energy to the province’s electricity system.

The changes will create the Green Choice Program, which gives large electricity customers the ability to purchase clean electricity from new, renewable energy projects through an independent and competitive process.

This will allow Nova Scotia to move forward with its agreement with the federal government to secure 100 per cent renewable energy for all federally owned facilities in the province by 2022.

“Making our electricity system more flexible will create green economic growth and new jobs in communities across our province,” said Energy and Mines Minister Derek Mombourquette. “We know that the federal government and others want to be part of our cleaner energy future, and this will build on Nova Scotia’s position as a national leader in fighting climate change.”

Nova Scotia says regulations will be developed to create controls to help protect ratepayers.