Feds make $269M clean energy investment in New Brunswick 

The Government of Canada announced investments totalling $269 million for clean and reliable energy in New Brunswick, including:

• A $219-million site development loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to NB Power for the Mactaquac Life Achievement Project to support technical studies, regulatory reviews, First Nations engagement and planning activities; and
• $50 million from Natural Resources Canada to NB Power for the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) project at the Salisbury Terminal to strengthen southern New Brunswick’s electricity system.

“By investing in clean electricity and modernizing key assets like the Mactaquac Generation Station and the Salisbury Terminal, we are strengthening New Brunswick’s energy system,” said Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Mactaquac Generation Station is New Brunswick’s largest renewable energy asset and NB Power’s largest hydroelectric facility. The 672-megawatt (MW) run-of-river station supplies 30 percent of the province’s renewable energy requirements and 20 percent of its peak electricity demand.

Mactaquac has faced premature concrete deterioration that has affected critical equipment, including turbines and spillway gates. NB Power’s Mactaquac Life Achievement Project is a phased rehabilitation program that will enable the generating station to reach its 100-year lifespan.

“Our $219-million site development loan enables project planning, First Nations engagement and development work needed to help NB Power and the province determine next steps for the Mactaquac site,” said Ehren Cory , CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank.

The Salisbury Terminal is a high-voltage transmission substation that is key to managing the flow of electricity across New Brunswick’s grid. It will improve grid stability and reliability in southern New Brunswick while supporting the integration of additional renewable energy resources as electricity demand continues to grow.

“Mactaquac and Salisbury each play a distinct role in keeping our system reliable. With support from Natural Resources Canada and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, we can move these critical projects forward while managing costs responsibly and preparing the grid to meet changing customer needs,” said Lori Clark, president and CEO, New Brunswick Power.

Featured image: (NB Power)