Nova Scotia Power boosts economy by going green

HALIFAX , Dec. 30 /CNW/ - Nova Scotia Power will pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the provincial economy in 2010.

"We are hiring more people, employing more contractors and consultants and investing more on capital projects," said Mark Savory , Vice President of Technical and Construction Services for Nova Scotia Power. "A significant component of that investment is related to our plan for new renewable electricity generation and emissions reductions."

In recent years, Nova Scotia Power has typically spent about $150 million on capital projects. In 2009, the company spent more than $270 million . The 2010 capital budget is more than $400 million , and substantial capital investment in Nova Scotia is also anticipated in the next few years.

Projects currently under way include wind and tidal power development, reduction of mercury emissions, improving reliability of the electrical grid, a new downtown office building and generating electricity from waste heat.

"We are buying goods and services in communities throughout Nova Scotia at a time when jobs and local investment are sorely needed," Mr. Savory said.

"As we proceed with these projects and prepare for more, we're hiring people for highly-skilled, well-paying jobs - including new power line technicians, engineers, project managers and skilled construction trades."

Capital projects that NS Power has recently completed, or currently has under way, include:

    
    - Trenton generating station: Construction of baghouse to provide fuel
      flexibility and reduce emissions, and replacement of generator -
      $45 million. (Completed)
    - Tidal turbine test project: Installation of 10-metre in-stream tidal
      turbine in the Bay of Fundy - $10 million, including $1.7 million,
      400-tonne gravity base manufactured by Cherubini Metal Works. (Deployed
      Nov. 12, 2009, two-year testing and monitoring program under way)
    - Mercury reduction program: Install activated carbon injection systems
      to limit mercury emissions at Trenton, Point Tupper and Lingan
      generating stations - $21 million. (Completed)
    - Tufts Cove waste heat project: Install a turbine to capture waste heat
      from Tufts Cove's two natural gas combustion turbines, producing
      50 megawatts of new generation with only minimal production of
      additional carbon dioxide - $84 million. (Targeted completion: November
      2010)
    - Lower Water Street office project: Convert an old power station into an
      environmentally sustainable office building - $53 million. (Targeted
      completion: spring 2011)
    - Nuttby Mountain wind farm: Construction of a 22-turbine wind farm
      (total capacity of 45 MW) approximately 20 kilometres north of Truro -
      total investment is $120 million. (Targeted completion: late 2010)
    - Electrical grid improvements: In addition to an annual $60 million
      maintenance and investment program, targeted investments specifically
      intended to improve system reliability. (Five-year reliability
      enhancement program started in 2009; total planned investment of
      $100 million)
    

About Nova Scotia Power

Nova Scotia Power Inc. is the largest wholly-owned subsidiary of Emera Inc. (TSX-EMA), a diversified energy and services company. Nova Scotia Power provides more than 95% of the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power to 482,000 customers in the province. The company is focused on new technologies to enhance customer service and reliability, reduce emissions and add renewable energy. Nova Scotia Power has 1,700 employees and $3.5 billion in assets.

For further information: David Rodenhiser, Nova Scotia Power, [phone]