A Critical Decision for Saint John
NB Power faces a major choice for the future of your electricity. The Coleson Cove Generating Station near Saint John will close in about 15 years. The provincial Crown corporation must decide whether to switch to another fossil fuel or transition to renewable energy.
The Current State of Coleson Cove
Coleson Cove currently burns bunker C oil to produce electricity. This heavy petroleum product powers the plant during peak winter times when NB Power runs short of electricity. The facility ranks as the third largest greenhouse gas emitter in New Brunswick, sitting just behind the Belledune coal plant.
The Fracking Debate
Earlier this year, NB Power considered converting Coleson Cove to burn fossil gas. However, the utility released its 2026 Integrated Resource Plan which excludes this conversion due to the age of the plant. The plan assumes operations will end by 2041.
Yet the provincial government is currently reviewing a 12 year moratorium on fracking for shale gas. The government will decide in January whether to lift the legal requirement for social license before drilling begins. The government sees an opportunity to use locally extracted shale gas for electricity and export. This review introduces the option for future gas powered generation.
The Renewable Alternative
Energy advocates argue for a different path. The Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick urges NB Power to stop burning fossil fuels entirely. They propose redesigning your electricity grid with distributed renewable energy and battery storage.
Solar and wind energy combined with battery storage now rank as the lowest cost energy sources. The fuel for these renewables is free and immune to market fluctuations. Building these installations close to Saint John also reduces transmission losses.
As the United Nations confirms the world missed its goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, local decisions carry global weight. You can read the original report and learn more about the proposed energy plans at the NB Media Co op.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Coleson Cove Generating Station close?
NB Power plans to end operations at Coleson Cove in 2040 or 2041.
What fuel does Coleson Cove currently use?
The plant burns bunker C oil, a heavy petroleum product, primarily during peak winter demand.
Why is the government reviewing the fracking moratorium?
The government is exploring the potential to extract local shale gas for electricity generation and export.
What alternatives exist for NB Power?
Energy advocates recommend replacing fossil fuel generation with onshore wind and solar energy, supported by battery storage systems.
Convert it to a syngas co-generation plant and burn municipal waste. We will never run out of waste and if we do we can dig up all those old closed landfills and reclaim the land. 100 tonnes in and 1 tonne of glass like klinker that can be ground up and added to the road asphalt.