Description and Background
The Province of New Brunswick will increase the provincial Renewable Portfolio Standard to aminimumof 40 percent of NB Power’s in-province sales by 2020.
NB Power has one of the most diversified generation fleet of facilities in North America. Decisions to develop our hydro and biomass resources, made decades ago, have enabled our province to become a North American leader in diverse renewable energy generation. NB Power currently sources 28 percent of its in-province electricity demand from wind, biomass and hydro resources. The Province will increase its commitment to pursue renewable energy by creating a new Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requiring NB Power to ensure that, by 2020, 40 percent of its inprovince electricity sales are provided from renewable energy. Renewable energy imports, including large-scale hydro from Quebec or Newfoundland and Labrador, will be eligible to meet the new Renewable Portfolio Standard, subject to certain conditions.
Since the goal of the RPS is to reduce the use of fossil fuels generation, that objective can be met by reducing energy usage or by building renewable generation. In most cases, energy efficiency is a less expensive option than building new renewable generation. As a result, NB Power will be directed to aggressively pursue Demand Side Management to assist in meeting the RPS target.
In the interest of continuing to improve New Brunswick’s environmental performance, energy efficiency is an essential element. By shifting and reducing electricity demand, NB Power will be able to reduce the need for generation from fossil fuelled plants, thereby increasing the proportion of renewable energy on its system. Innovative programs that result in significant energy reduction will enable NB Power to achieve the 40 percent RPS in the most cost-effective and efficient manner.
Once the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station is back online in 2012, another 35 percent of our provincial electricity supply will come from non-emitting nuclear energy. Therefore by 2020, 75 percent of New Brunswick’s electricity demand will be met by non-emitting or renewable sources.
The balance of requirements will come from a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources in order to maintain a reasonable level of generation diversity.
Key Objectives Served by this Action
Low and Stable Energy Prices – Integrating additional renewable energy will help protect New Brunswickers from the cost volatility of electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Energy Security – Developing additional indigenous renewable energy will lessen our dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Environmental Responsibility – Additional renewable energy will reduce our greenhouse gas and associated emissions.