Why Wind Energy
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Climate change. Rising energy prices. Energy security. Sustainability.
These are the factors motivating the Nova Scotia Department of Energy to increase the amount of clean, secure sources of renewable energy generated in Nova Scotia.
Wind will play a large role in our energy future for the following reasons:
Nova Scotia has a world-class wind resource.
This has been verified by international and national reports and studies, as well as by wind developers who want to locate their projects in our province.
The cost of wind energy is competitive with traditional sources of energy, and cheaper than most other forms of renewable energy.
Larger wind energy projects require a high up-front cost (for the equipment and construction), but the fuel is free.
The result is renewable energy generation that will not cause significant electricity price increases.
Wind energy is clean and green.
Because of our heavy reliance on coal and other fossil fuels for electricity in Nova Scotia, every megawatt (MW) of wind power installed reduces our greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 2,500 tonnes per year.
It also provides enough clean energy for 350 – 400 Nova Scotian homes.
Wind energy is local.
It is not purchased or imported from outside of the province; it is a natural, domestic source of energy.
Wind energy can benefit our communities by:
- Improving air quality and reducing our impact on the global environment by avoiding fossil fuels,
- Creating local investment (land leases, municipal taxes, site preparation, construction and maintenance), and
- Creating demand for local labour