Abstract
In 2007 the Nova Scotia Department of Energy commissioned the Offshore Energy Research Association of Nova Scotia (OERA) to complete a Phase I Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to guide the development of tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy. Since that time, the tidal energy industry has evolved in Nova Scotia; consequently OERA commissioned this Phase II SEA Update to accomplish two primary objectives: 1. Describe the contemporary state of the tidal energy industry both regionally and globally; and, 2. Present the current scientific and community knowledge base on this subject in the Bay of Fundy.
Many of the 29 recommendations in the 2008 SEA have been fully implemented or are currently being addressed; only three recommendations remain outstanding. Considerable environmental and biophysical research, targeting priorities identified in 2008 and since that time, has been completed or is currently underway. Modifications to environmental and electricity regulations have been made to further encourage the development of a made-in-Nova Scotia tidal energy industry.
Since 2008, two fundamental changes have occurred in the tidal energy industry that will affect projects developed in Nova Scotia. First, proponents of the most advanced technologies are now seeking sites that can host arrays of turbines for commercial purposes, rather than individual sites for demonstration of their technologies. Second, the industry has evolved large devices to serve utility-scale transmission projects, as well as smaller units suited to community-scale distribution projects. The provincial Department of Energy has supported this development through the introduction of the Developmental FIT and COMFIT programs, which offer power producers fixed prices for the electricity produced. These different project types and supporting regulatory incentives offer a number of opportunities for the Nova Scotia marine industry and the skilled services and technologies that support this industry.
Tidal energy is expected to help lessen the Province’s dependency on imported fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. Current provincial legislation requires 25% of the electricity consumed in Nova Scotia to be generated from renewable sources by 2015. By 2020, this target rises to 40%. Both of these targets appear achievable under the renewable energy planning and development scenarios currently in place. The economic benefits that can be realized by participating in the emerging tidal industry combined with the increased energy security that it can bring to the Province, account for the Province’s continuing commitment to tidal energy.