A massive gas and diesel power plant is officially coming to rural Tantramar. The New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board approved a 25 year contract between NB Power and United States based ProEnergy. The project will place 10 gas and diesel turbines near Centre Village.

According to a recent report from CBC News, the 500 megawatt facility will cost at least 3.5 billion dollars over the life of the contract. The plant provides electricity during winter cold snaps and fills the gaps when wind or solar power generation drops. New Brunswick gets 400 megawatts of that capacity. Nova Scotia purchases the remaining 100 megawatts through a 10 year agreement.

Board Criticizes NB Power

Before giving the green light, board chair Christopher Stewart scolded NB Power. He called out the utility for ignoring its own investment governance framework and providing inadequate information. Stewart noted the board only found the project prudent because they managed to gather enough evidence on their own.

Opponents Push Back

The board spent eight days listening to arguments in February and March. Opponents argued NB Power overstated the need for the plant and ignored cheaper alternatives like large scale battery storage.

Terry Jones lives right next to the proposed site. He made his stance clear.

“This fight isn’t done,” Jones said. “We’re not happy with it. We don’t want it in our woods.”

Barry Rothfuss directs the Atlantic Wildlife Institute just a few kilometres away. He expressed disappointment that the board only considered the financial side of the project and ignored the environmental threats to the Tantramar region.

Moe Qureshi directs climate research with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. He worries the project locks the province into decades of fossil fuel dependence. The council brought in an expert to testify about affordable battery storage. The board ultimately dismissed that testimony as too general for New Brunswick specific conditions.

Integrating Renewable Energy

Not everyone views the fossil fuel project as a step backward. Yves Gagnon teaches engineering at Université de Moncton. He says the plant uses technology that allows for better integration of renewable energy across the province.

NB Power executive Brad Coady backed this up. He pointed to agreements already signed for 700 megawatts of wind energy. A new partnership is also proposing a 150 megawatt solar farm just seven kilometres from the gas plant site.

Next Steps for the Project

The plant still needs a provincial environmental impact assessment. ProEnergy recently shared a water supply assessment showing the project uses too much water during the winter. The company must now find ways to store water or reduce demand.

ProEnergy is also working through a Mi’kmaq Rights Impact Assessment with Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc.

If the environmental assessment fails, NB Power has a backup plan. Coady warned that alternative would cost New Brunswickers more time and money. The utility is also looking ahead. A recent report recommends planning for another 600 megawatts of power by 2030.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tantramar gas plant?

It is a 500 megawatt gas and diesel power plant proposed for rural Tantramar near Centre Village. The facility features 10 turbines designed to provide backup power during peak winter demand and lulls in renewable energy generation.

How much will the project cost?

The project will cost at least 3.5 billion dollars over the course of a 25 year contract between NB Power and ProEnergy.

Why are people opposing the plant?

Local residents and environmental groups worry about the ecological impact on the Tantramar region. They also argue that NB Power should invest in large scale battery storage instead of locking the province into long term fossil fuel dependence.

Does this mean New Brunswick is abandoning renewable energy?

No. Experts and NB Power officials state that this gas plant will actually help integrate more wind and solar power into the grid by providing a reliable backup source when renewable generation drops.

Is the project fully approved?

The Energy and Utilities Board approved the financial contract. The project still requires a provincial environmental impact assessment and a Mi’kmaq Rights Impact Assessment before construction begins.