Canada’s federal government recently put further investments into advancing green technology in Atlantic Canada.
Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, announced $9.25 million in federal funding through the Energy Innovation Program for two projects led by Net Zero Atlantic (NZA).
NZA is an Atlantic Canadian team of scientists, engineers and program managers assembled with the goal of aiding in Atlantic Canada’s transition to green technology, aimed at bringing the region to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“At the heart of Net Zero Atlantic’s initiatives lies a commitment to innovation and sustainability,” said Fraser. “By investing in cutting-edge research and fostering the development of new clean technologies, we’re paving the way for Atlantic Canada to achieve its net-zero targets while cultivating sustainable regional economic opportunities.”
A total of $6 million of the investment will go toward NZA delivering a “comprehensive electricity system integration study” to determine how Atlantic Canada’s offshore wind could be utilized to “clean up” the region’s electricity grid. The study will also identify opportunities to export Canadian renewable energy.
The remaining $3.25 million will fund the “Net Zero Emerging Concepts and Technologies Research Program.” The program is intended to invest in research and development for clean technologies as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Atlantic Canada.
Before this latest round of investment, NZA received $1.3 million to build capacity for geothermal energy projects in 12 rural Nova Scotia communities and five Mi’kmaq communities. Another $1.8 million came to NZA from Natural Resources Canada to ensure an “inclusive approach” to offshore wind development in Nova Scotia for rural, Mi’kmaq and other marginalized communities.
According to Alisdair McLean, Chief Executive Officer of NZA, Atlantic Canada is primed to be a hotspot for clean energy production.
“Atlantic Canada has the potential to be a key provider of clean energy and clean technologies that both Canada and the world need,” said McLean. “Thanks to the supports from Natural Resources Canada, we are laying the foundation for a new energy industry and accelerating the emergence of locally conceived innovations.”
