Port Hawkesbury
The following provides a high-level summary of some of the comments received during Electricity System Review public consultation meetings. They do not represent a consensus or a majority of opinions, but simply comments and dialogue captured by department staff.
Port Hawkesbury - September 23, 2014
Energy Sources
- It was suggested by some participants that we should be investing in more wind.
- Some thought we should do research and development into tidal and pumped storage options.
- Some people suggested that renewables are our future (but storage is key) while others felt that our targets are too high and too costly, and we should stop now. Some suggested renewables are creating economic hardship (feds should reduce the standards). Others felt that we need to consider the cost and system impact of renewables when we consider the need for back-up.
- Many thought we need cost-effective renewable energies.
- Some suggested we need to start looking at the total life cycle costs of various fuel sources.
- Some people felt that Nova Scotia should strive for self-sufficiency and export opportunities, while others did not think that electricity security was a major issue.
- Some participants suggested we look at small scale development for price stability, and they saw municipal electric utilities as an example.
- Some suggested that there should be proper and socially acceptable harvesting of biomass.
Innovation
- Some participants thought storage will lead to lower costs.
- Some had concerns regarding the costs of smart-grid, while others felt that there are opportunities for smart energy management technology that could help educate people on electricity use and cost.
- Some suggested there should be more partnerships between independent power producers and Nova Scotia Power.
- Some people thought there should be regulatory requirements incenting Nova Scotia Power to innovate.
- Some suggested we should be taking the lead in areas where we have a unique opportunities, such as tidal.
- Some believed innovation should be driven by the private sector.
Governance
- Some participants suggested that NSPI should have to meet the standards, not be rewarded for them.
- Some raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of the UARB in regulating the utility.
- It was suggested by some that there should be rates to support industrial development and we should be looking at other financial measures as well – such as tax breaks.
- A question was raised as to whether the cost of service model is a barrier to decreasing costs and increasing overall efficiency, or whether competition is the barrier.
- Some commented that the only way to increase competition is on the generation side.
- Many thought performance standards should relate to safety, management, operational controls, and efficiency. It was suggested that power is generally dependable now.