With campaign in full swing, N.S. party leaders weigh in on exporting wind energy

Candidates in the Nova Scotia election are bracing for challenging questions regarding the construction of large wind farms aimed at generating green hydrogen for export.

Companies such as EverWind and Bear Head Energy are planning to install hundreds of turbines to produce hydrogen for overseas markets.

"We understand that people are focused on wallet issues and housing concerns," said Gregor Wilson from Green Nova Scotia First. "But Nova Scotia is trying to transition away from coal and fossil fuels, and all these hydrogen projects could impede our progress."

Green Nova Scotia First is a citizens' group formed in response to the federal and provincial governments promoting green hydrogen projects in the province. These initiatives will utilize renewable energy to extract hydrogen from water.

Greening the Grid
Wilson emphasized that the next provincial government should concentrate on reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, which account for about half of the energy consumed by Nova Scotians.

"It's the definition of insanity and utter waste," Wilson remarked, expressing concern that wind energy would be squandered on green hydrogen initiatives.

The organization is urging voters to question candidates regarding green hydrogen issues. Nova Scotia aims for 80 percent renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston argues that green hydrogen projects will positively affect the electricity grid. "Somebody said to me ... we don't catch just enough lobsters for Nova Scotians; we catch the lobsters and export them," Houston stated at a campaign event. "We will be exporting energy as well."

While Houston envisions the province becoming a leader in energy production, the provincial Green Party leader describes it as "hydrogen fever."

"I'm a little bit dubious about the extent to which there is a viable export market for made-in-Nova Scotia hydrogen energy products," Anthony Edmonds said in an interview. He acknowledged the importance of investing in renewable energy like wind but noted that the use of hydrogen might remain limited in the future.

Liberal Leader Zach Churchill emphasized that his party would prioritize projects that feed into the grid. "Tim Houston is still allowing the same amount of coal to be burned in Nova Scotia as when he took office three years ago, and he has committed to placing wind farms throughout the province," Churchill said during a campaign event. "But my concern is that this energy won't lower energy prices in Nova Scotia or further green our grid."

NDP Leader Claudia Chender indicated that she would provide more information on green hydrogen production proposals in the coming days. However, she acknowledged that it is reasonable for Nova Scotians to be concerned about using wind energy to export products. "There's a huge burden on Nova Scotia to transition away from coal, and we don't seem to be taking that as seriously as we do with some billionaires' export plans," Chender stated while campaigning.

There has been resistance to green hydrogen projects, including during a town hall meeting held by Houston in his own riding.

Mark Stewart, a spokesperson for EverWind, stated that the projects will bring economic benefits, including job creation, while also contributing to the fight against climate change. "The wind projects developed by EverWind are in addition to what is necessary to eliminate coal, and our hydrogen can be used to power clean electricity generation during periods when wind and other renewables cannot meet demand," Stewart explained. "Not one megawatt of EverWind's production will come at the expense of power that could otherwise be used to service the provincial grid."