The Renewable Energy Industry Association of Nova Scotia (REIANS) has requested that Premier Rodney MacDonald consider implementing the Standard Offered Contracts (SOC) for renewable energy from wind, solar, biomass and other sources for the province.
SOCs offer pre-fixed and fair "feed-in tariff" fees to be paid by all utilities for renewable energy to support government renewable energy policy initiatives. In March 2006, Ontario adopted SOCs for projects under 10 MW of installed capacity that offer 20-year rates of 11 cents/kW for wind power and 45 cents/kW for either commercial or domestic solar projects. REIANS is requesting the rates of pay for Nova Scotian SOCs to be equal to or greater than what is being paid in Ontario, the association says.
In its letter to the premier, REIANS notes that by adopting the standard, Nova Scotia would enjoy economic opportunities such as job creation, capital investment and related spin-off benefits that SOCs would foster. REIANS adds that it would support a reliable, sustainable electricity supply, a reduction in Nova Scotia's dependency on imported fossil fuels and help Canada meet its Kyoto commitments.
