The Maritimes Get Smart Grid Project

Saturday, 24 July 2010 16:00

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New Brunswick Power’s electricity demonstration project, PowerShift Atlantic, will receive over $15 million through the Government of Canada’s Clean Energy Fund to help underwrite the $32 project. The smart grid initiative, which includes three Maritime Provinces, was announced by Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue.

Minister Ashfield called investments in clean energy technologies “a key part of our balanced approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and positioning Canada at the forefront of clean energy technology. Our government is investing in this smart grid project to encourage clean energy innovation and to help create high-quality jobs for Atlantic Canadians.”

New Brunswick’s Minister of Energy, Jack Keir, adds, “Smart grid technology holds great opportunity for New Brunswick. NB Power and our provincial ICT industry are doing very innovative work in this area, and I am incredibly pleased that the province is able to provide over $2 million in support of this initiative.”

This project will implement the latest digital smart grid technology to manage the delivery of renewable electricity Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick communities.

Gaëtan Thomas, President and CEO of NB Power, calls the project significant “for NB Power and our customers. By working together, we will be able to focus on each others’ strengths while also building expertise right here in the Maritimes.”

In all, the Clean Energy Fund is investing $795 million in clean energy technology development over a five year window and will help launch nearly 20 projects under the renewable and clean energy portion of the Clean Energy Fund, totaling up to $146 million.

www.nrcan.gc.ca