Nova Scotia feed-in tariff forum launched

June 22, 2011, Halifax – On September 21
and 22, 2011, renewable energy experts from across the globe will gather in
Halifax for the Nova Scotia Feed-in Tariff Forum to discuss exciting new market
opportunities opening up under Nova Scotia's Renewable Electricity Plan. The
province is committing to generate 25% of its electricity from renewable
sources by 2015, from a current level of 13%.

The two-day conference will bring together
developers, First Nations leaders, community power experts, and scheme
administrators to explore opportunities and challenges under the province's new
Community Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT) and competitive bidding programs. COMFIT
combines local ownership with a traditional feed-in tariff market design,
offering fixed rates for big wind (> 50 kW), small wind, biomass, tidal, and
hydro technologies. Projects must be 51% owned by community groups, including
municipalities, universities, First Nations, co-ops, and Community Economic
Development Investment Funds.

The new competitive bidding process for
medium to large projects in Nova Scotia has 600 GWh reserved to be split evenly
between the province's main utility, Nova Scotia Power, and independent power
producers in the first phase.

The province is appointing a renewable
electricity administrator to oversee the request-for-proposals process.

Along with informing attendees on these new
renewable energy procurement strategies, the forum will offer unparalleled
networking opportunities, with developers and community power experts from
around the world participating. It also offers the very latest updates on new
developments in regional transmission integration and wind export potential, as
well as practical advice on best practices in aboriginal and community
engagement and areas for potential collaboration with First Nations.