Energizing Nova Scotia’s Future
Rural Nova Scotia is at a crossroads. As climate change intensifies and fossil fuel dependence threatens both environmental and economic security, communities across the province are embracing renewable energy—not as a distant government goal, but as a local solution with immediate benefits. In some places, renewable energy sources are part of the building design. In others, communities are exploring how to provide clean energy to communities.
Community Solar: Accessible Clean Energy
Nova Scotia's recently released Community Solar Program is meant to unlock renewable energy for renters, low-income households, and those without suitable roofs for solar panels. Projects in Cape Breton, Annapolis County, Halifax Regional Municipality, and a collaborative initiative in Oakhill hope to demonstrate how community-led solar gardens can make use of brownfield or contaminated areas, power homes, reduce carbon emissions, and provide bill credits of $0.02/kWh. The Wasoqopa'q Community Solar Project, a partnership between Wasoqopa'q First Nation and Natural Forces, proposes including Mi'kmaq leadership and Indigenous knowledge in renewable energy development.
Economic Development and Equity
For the province of Nova Scotia, renewable energy is a priority tied to climate targets of 80% renewable energy sources by 2030. For economic development agencies, it's about job creation, local investment, and energy independence. For non-profits, it's about ensuring equitable access so that low-income and equity-deserving communities aren't left behind. And for communities, it’s about having access to affordable and reliable energy enough to meet their needs and create opportunities.
RCFNS as a Bridge
By centering climate resilience the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia, hopes to help strengthen, rather than bypass, marginalized rural communities. Exploring partnerships across the sectors mentioned above, RCFNS can help connect these sectors by convening knowledge-sharing between municipalities and communities and advocating for funding models that prioritize investing in rural and community-led projects.
Call to Action:
There are plenty of real challenges to participating in the renewable energy sector, but overcoming challenges is something Nova Scotians understand. These projects are already starting in Nova Scotia, but many community-level renewable energy initiatives are led and supported by international companies. If renewable energy generation and localized distribution is the future for rural NS, perhaps it is time to invest in the provincial talent and capacity to drive these developments. How can your community participate in the clean energy transition? And how can we build homegrown expertise to lead this transformation? Let's build solutions together.
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