Solar Power Delays - QP
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. Earlier this month, Solar Nova Scotia surveyed its members and found that there are unusual delays in Nova Scotia Power's processing of utility plan reviews and meter installs. The result for these solar companies is client dissatisfaction, severe impacts to cash flow, and postponed jobs - and I'll table that.
Solar Nova Scotia believes that these delays from Nova Scotia Power are affecting the growth of solar in the province. Can the minister explain to this House why Nova Scotia Power is holding up solar projects?
HON. TORY RUSHTON « » : What I can say is I agree, I've heard the exact same thing. I've spoken to people on the ground who have applied for these projects. There is a holdup. These are one of the conversations I'm having with Nova Scotia Power and staff in the energy side of my department.
It's an issue, because people do want the solar. It's a buy-in program. It's a program that has seen a lot of success currently under the previous government, and I know everybody in this House supports that program. These are conversations that are taking place to streamline and fast-pace these programs and get some response back for what is taking place behind the scenes on that. I will commit to the member opposite right now that we are looking into that to get answers for this.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : With a single publicly owned corporation that controls our power and the grid, I think those conversations are really important and we really hope that they bear fruit, because the climate science is clear - we must shift from fossil fuels to renewables as quickly as possible.
A 2019 report from the Ecology Action Centre on the costs and benefits of Nova Scotia's environmental goals legislation found that with the right targets and investments, the renewable energy industry could support 3,100 jobs per year over 12 years. This is an exciting opportunity for Nova Scotia if we nurture our local renewable energy industries.
My question is this: We've heard that this government commits to an 80 per cent target for renewables by 2030. We're assured that targets are coming. Will the minister also commit to creating a specific set-aside target for local renewable industries such as solar so we can ensure that this problem doesn't replicate itself?
TORY RUSHTON « » : What I can say is credit where credit is due. The previous government did start some of that process, and we're certainly going to ensure that that - yes, credit where credit is due. As the new government coming in, that 80 per cent target is achievable. We've said that as a government. Nova Scotians spoke that they want to see that. We know that, we hear that, and the local aspect is certainly going to be a part of that.
To give the ratio in the House today, I certainly don't feel comfortable to put what that ratio is, those conversations are happening, and we're committed to the solar, the wind, the battery, and the loop that's going to interconnect all of the Atlantic Provinces that all these Parties that are sitting in this House support today.