The Resource
Natural gas in Nova Scotia
Natural gas is a type of fossil fuel, made mostly of methane gas. It forms deep underground from the remains of organic matter and is used as a source of energy for heating, cooling and electricity.
Natural gas is already a significant fuel source in the Nova Scotia energy mix. Nova Scotia’s natural gas distributor – Eastward Energy serves 5,000 residential and 3,500 commercial and institutional customers. One third of the homes and 44% of businesses that have access to natural gas use it.
Where our energy comes from now
The province’s Independent Energy System Operator (IESO Nova Scotia) has proposed two new fast acting natural gas plants to provide electricity when the province is scheduled to stop using coal by 2030.
Benefits of using our own natural gas in Nova Scotia
Energy security
Locally sourced natural gas would reduce dependence on higher cost imports
Economic growth
Jobs, tax revenue and rural investment
Lower emissions
Switching from coal to natural gas in the electricity sector would reduce emissions significantly
Reliable power
Dependable fuel source for power generation
Energy prices
Contributes to lower power rates
Export opportunity
Excess resources could be sold to other jurisdictions
Transitional fuel
Nova Scotia cannot flip a switch to zero emissions.
Renewables are increasingly used in power systems yet face intermittency, storage, and grid infrastructure limits. Fast acting natural gas generation alleviates the shortcomings and enables more renewables to be used.
Natural gas use provides a pathway over time. As the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, natural gas can be a good choice for transitioning to a zero-emission economy.