Ottawa has announced more than $1 billion in additional funding to help boost clean energy in New Brunswick.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and MP Dominic LeBlanc made the announcement in Dieppe on Sunday.
They were joined by René Legacy, New Brunswick’s deputy premier and energy minister, along with NB Power CEO Lori Clark.
“The largest portion of those investments will be for Indigenous-led wind projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank,” Guilbeault said during Sunday’s announcement.
Up to $1 billion has been earmarked to provide support for up to 670 megawatts of Indigenous-led wind projects in the province.
In a separate funding stream, the Neweg Energy Project, which is being constructed near Sussex, will receive $25 million in federal funding.
NB Power will receive $25 million to help develop up to 600 megawatts in new small modular reactor (SMR) capacity at Point Lepreau and $1.3 million for pre-development work on the modified Atlantic Loop transmission line between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
An additional $1.6 million will be used to investigate further the conversion of the Belledune Generating Station from coal-fired power to biomass.
“Alongside these investments, our governments have reached a common agreement that the forthcoming Clean Electricity Regulations will enable New Brunswick’s electricity system to grow while cutting harmful pollution,” said Guilbeault.
The proposed regulations would see coal-fired plants, such as the generating station in Belledune, shut down by 2030 and electrical grids become net-zero by 2035.
Deputy premier lauds ‘significant’ announcement
Deputy Premier René Legacy, who is also New Brunswick’s energy minister, said this funding is significant news for the province.
“Here in New Brunswick, as well as throughout the Atlantic provinces, we face the highest rates of energy poverty in the country, and the energy transition will continue to imply increased pressure,” said Legacy.
“We know that energy demand is increasing significantly due to population growth, which is good, economic development, which is even better, and electrification, which will also play a key role in helping us reduce our [greenhouse gas] emissions.
“Renewable clean energy sources like wind, solar, and biomass, as well as SMRs, will be important to meeting proposed Clean Energy Regulations by 2035.”
Optimism from building trades union
Meanwhile, the president of the New Brunswick Building Trades Unions says he is optimistic following Sunday’s announcement.
“I look forward with optimism for the future of all building trade members and all the young men and women who decide to pursue a career in the skilled trades will have the opportunity to commence an ‘earn while you learn’ apprenticeship that will allow them to progress and obtain their Red Seal certification,” Jean-Marc Ringuette said in a statement.
“They will have access to good paying jobs early on in their lives that will allow them to set down roots in both our rural and urban communities and begin their lives as young adults.”
This investment is expected to create numerous opportunities in the skilled trades sector, he said, providing apprenticeships and well-paying jobs that will contribute to the economic growth of both rural and urban communities in New Brunswick.
