Supporting Climate Action Across Nova Scotia

We are proud to be one of only two provinces to have partnered with Natural Resources Canada to deliver the Canada Greener Homes Grant on the federal government’s behalf. In Nova Scotia, the Canada Greener Homes Grant will be co-delivered with Efficiency Nova Scotia’s Home Energy Assessment service, meaning anyone who enrolls in the service will automatically be registered for the federal grant. Administering the Canada Greener Homes Grant through Efficiency Nova Scotia makes it easy for Nova Scotians to take advantage of up to $5,000 in grants offered through the program. In addition to providing this one-stop point of access for financial support, Nova Scotians also benefit from having access to Efficiency Nova Scotia’s expertise and additional rebate support. We are excited to be able to help make investing in energy efficiency even more affordable, to even more Nova Scotians.

SolarHomes

Nova Scotians have embraced solar as part of the immediate action required to address the climate crisis. The SolarHomes service helps Nova Scotians harness the sun’s energy by offering rebates on approved solar solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

2021 Highlights:

  • Over 1,600 rebates were provided on installed solar PV systems totalling 16.8 MW of new solar generation capacity.
  • These systems reduced approximately 20 GWh of energy usage, saving Nova Scotians around $3 million in energy costs.
  • Approved Solar Installer List has nearly 70 companies across the province.

From the numbers, Nova Scotians appear equally excited to participate in a program that enables them to lower their energy costs and do their part to fight climate change. In just 10 months, over 10,000 Nova Scotians have registered for the Greener Homes Grant Program.

Accepting the Challenge, Building the Capacity

This increase in interest in Home Energy Assessments, as a result of the Canada Greener Homes Grant, could have presented capacity challenges, but our partner companies rose to the challenge and quickly began to hire and train to meet the incredible demand from Nova Scotians.

Municipalities taking climate action

Our On-site Energy Managers (OEMs) are trained energy efficiency professionals who work with large energy users, including Municipalities, to identify and lead viable energy efficiency projects.

Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM)

  • Developed an energy policy and management plan, which includes a $4 million investment, between 2022 and 2026, on structural, mechanical, and electrical energy efficiency projects over 15 facilities.

Halifax – In partnership with HalifACT

  • Completed the retrofit of Woodside Ferry Terminal, transitioning the building from oil to an advanced heating and cooling system, LED Lighting and other energy efficient features.
  • These projects, and many others, will help remove 1,150 tonnes of GHG emissions

Strait Regional Area

  • Employed a roving OEM which resulted in four Municipalities establishing corporate environmental targets as well as developing detailed Energy Management plans.
  • Identified opportunities for annual savings of 821,000 kWh, equivalent to $116,500 in utility costs.

Bridgewater

  • The Energize Bridgewater program, which aims to reduce energy costs for low-income homeowners by at least 51%, entered its next phase of identifying potential partnerships in order to accomplish the programs’ ambitious goals.
  • $1.4 million was committed for upgrades to the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre which includes an innovative use of thermal storage tanks to improve heat transfer.
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