March 28, 2023 – Amendments to Nova Scotia’s Electricity Act will open the door for more storage solutions for renewable electricity.

“We need to accelerate the use of battery storage in Nova Scotia to help us get off coal and meet our renewable electricity targets,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “These amendments encourage innovation and early adoption of battery technology in the province.”

Changes to the act will allow the department to issue requests for proposals for energy storage solutions, like large-scale batteries. Currently, only Nova Scotia Power is permitted to own such storage methods, says the department.

Other amendments will allow the department to issue contracts for “well-developed, innovative energy storage projects that can be implemented quickly”. These projects are to also help identify the best ways for using energy storage in the province.

“Nova Scotia’s target to phase out coal and supply 80% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 is achievable, but only if the right amount of energy storage is in place well in advance of this deadline” said Justin Rangooni, executive director, Energy Storage Canada. “This new legislation and funding sends the right signal to industry to accelerate investment in their projects and partnerships, and to prepare them for commercial operation.”

The amendments support the addition of more renewables to the electricity system while reducing costs for ratepayers.

Nova Scotia’s goals include getting off of coal-generated electricity and producing 80% of it from renewables by 2030. The department says this will require “adequate energy storage technology to balance electricity generation and demand”.

“We applaud the government’s leadership and look forward to supporting the development and implementation of the province’s energy storage strategy,” Rangooni added.