November 5th, 2020
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today announced one of Canada’s largest-ever investments in tidal energy — $28.5 million to Sustainable Marine in Nova Scotia to deliver Canada’s first floating tidal energy array.
Sustainable Marine developed an innovative floating tidal energy platform called PLAT-I that has undergone rigorous testing on the waters of Grand Passage for nearly two years. A second platform is currently being assembled in Meteghan, Nova Scotia and will be launched in Grand Passage later this year for testing before relocation to the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) in 2021. These platforms will make up the tidal energy array.
The objective of the project is to provide up to nine megawatts of predictable and clean renewable electricity to Nova Scotia’s electrical grid. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year while creating new jobs in the province. The project will also demonstrate the ability to harness tides as a reliable source of renewable electricity to power homes, vehicles and businesses.
Tidal energy — a clean, renewable energy source generated by ocean tides and currents — has the potential to significantly reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality by displacing electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Minister O’Regan made the announcement at the Marine Renewables Canada 2020 Fall Forum, which brings together its members and industry to identify opportunities and strategize a path forward for marine renewable energy sources.
Funding for the project comes from Natural Resources Canada’s Emerging Renewables Power Program, part of Canada’s more than $180-billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
The Investing in Canada Plan
Through the Investing in Canada Plan, more than $180 billion is being delivered over 12 years to provide predictable and sustainable funding for projects that will build modern, resilient, and green communities for Canadians.
We are working closely with provinces, territories, municipalities and Indigenous Peoples to respond to the unique needs of communities from coast to coast to coast and to get infrastructure built that will improve the quality of life of all Canadians, no matter where they live and no matter what challenges they face.
Together we are:
- Funding projects that will create good jobs and stimulate local economies to contribute to long-term prosperity.
- Putting sustainability at the forefront of project planning and using a climate lens on our investments to build greener and more resilient communities.
This funding is at work in communities to:
- Improve our local roads and highways, and the ports and terminals that link our communities to the world, so that Canadian products reach markets faster.
- Upgrade water systems so that Canadians have clean drinking water and a healthy environment.
- Roll out new buses and light rail to improve commutes for Canadians and help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
- Create community hubs, cultural centres and recreational facilities that contribute to more inclusive and connected communities.
- Build affordable housing units and upgrade public sector long-term health facilities and shelters to ensure more Canadians have a safe place to call home.
- Support access to high-speed internet, giving Canadians better access to services and helping them learn, do business, and connect with family and friends.
As the lead organization for the Investing in Canada Plan, Infrastructure Canada is directly responsible for over $99 billion in federal funding that is flowing to provincial, territorial, and municipal partners through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program bilateral agreements, targeted funding programs and the federal Gas Tax Fund.
Funding is also being delivered to communities through:
Learn more about all programs delivered by Infrastructure Canada under the Investing in Canada Plan.
Funding for British Columbia:
In 2016, Canada and British Columbia signed an initial agreement under the Investing in Canada plan to invest more than $685 million in federal funding for the rehabilitation, repair, and modernization of existing infrastructure to provide communities with more reliable water and wastewater systems and improve public transit systems across the province.
In 2018, a second agreement was signed to provide more than $4.12 billion in federal funding over the next decade for long-term infrastructure projects through four streams. Here is a funding breakdown, by stream: Public Transit Infrastructure, Green Infrastructure, Community, Culture & Recreational Infrastructure and Rural & Northern Infrastructure.
