Developmental Tidal Feed-in Tariff Program
The Developmental Tidal Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program is similar to the Community Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT) program as it encourages the development of specific renewable energy projects by guaranteeing a rate per kilowatt hour for the energy the project feeds into the province’s electricity grid. It is different as it is designed to incent tidal energy developers to test and deploy their large-scale in-stream tidal energy projects in Nova Scotia. This tariff applies to in-stream tidal single device projects or arrays greater than 0.5 megawatts (500 kilowatts). There are no limits on ownership.
In May 2015, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review approved the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Developmental Tidal FIT program. View the decision on the Board's website (Matter ID: M06793).
Five developers have received approval through the Program for a total of 22.0 megawatts (MW) of electricity:
- Minas Energy, 4.0 MW
- Black Rock Tidal Power, 5.0 MW
- Atlantis Operations Canada, 4.5 MW
- Cape Sharp Tidal Venture, 4.0 MW
- DP Marine Energy, 4.5 MW
The Utility and Review Board sets rates for developmental tidal projects. The Board developed two rates--Developmental and Testing--in a declining block structure. The rates are:
- Developmental (15 year term): $530 per megawatt hour (MWh) for projects producing ≤16,640 MWh per year OR $420 for projects producing >16,640 MWh
- The Testing rate has two 'paths.'
- Path I is offered for 3 years: $575 for projects ≤ 3,330 MWh OR $455 for projects > 3,330 MWh
- Path II is offered for 15 years and follows Path I: $495 for projects ≤ 16,640 MWh OR $385 for >16,640 MWh
View the complete Board decision regarding the FIT rates.
For information about tidal energy opportunities in Nova Scotia, click here.