Below are some common or frequently asked questions we hear about green hydrogen, wind power and the work we're doing to make Nova Scotia a global green energy leader. If you have questions that are not covered here, you can reach us here.
Green hydrogen is a safe and reliable energy alternative produced with clean electricity. Green hydrogen is a clean fuel and feedstock that can be used to produce other products like green ammonia.
Green hydrogen can be used to replace hydrogen produced from fossil fuels (grey hydrogen) used in hard-to-abate sectors such as refining and steel production which can not be easily electrified. Additional uses include fuel vehicles, cook, heat homes, and produce green ammonia and other clean fuels, including methanol.
We are committed to providing green fuel options, including green hydrogen for Nova Scotia to shut down fossil generation (including coal), which is only possible with long term energy storage.
Green ammonia is ammonia produced from renewable inputs, including green hydrogen, nitrogen from the air, powered by sustainable electricity.
Green ammonia is primarily used in fertilizer production and other chemical processes, including as a refrigerant for rinks. It is also a cost-effective and energy-efficient carrier of hydrogen. It is a zero-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.
Green ammonia is made from renewable and sustainable sources, and when used as a fuel in vehicles, it does not emit any greenhouse gases. It is also an essential low-carbon alternative to the fossil fuels we depend on for the food on our tables.
Marine transportation is by far the most efficient mode of transportation. EverWind, along with third-party consultation ERM, has estimated carbon emissions for marine transportation of green ammonia at scale to be approximately 0.02 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of green ammonia. For reference, the vast majority of ammonia produced today is created from fossil fuels and generates approximately 2 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of ammonia. Given our green ammonia production generates zero carbon emissions in production, even including shipping results in a ~99% reduction in CO2 emissions.
In addition, green ammonia is widely accepted as playing a role in the future decarbonization of shipping, where electrification is not possible.
The most developed market for green hydrogen and ammonia is currently in Europe. By targeting this market initially, we can efficiently launch and establish our project. This approach allows us to leverage the existing demand and infrastructure in Europe, providing a solid foundation for our venture.
Countries around the world are seeking ways to reduce their carbon emissions and green hydrogen can play a key role. With so much wind, and our strategic position on the Atlantic, Nova Scotia can help fill this demand through exports.
The expanding global market for green hydrogen means it makes sense for Nova Scotia to invest in renewable energy and the production of green hydrogen. This produces both clean energy for Nova Scotia, and economic benefits such as job creation, technology advancements, and opportunities for small businesses.
EverWind is committed to maximizing the local impact of our project. As we progress through different phases, we plan to increase our production capacity, which will contribute significantly to the decarbonization efforts here in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia has outlined a commitment to clean power, specifically mentioning hydrogen-capable generation. By fueling local generation with our green products, we contribute to the province’s sustainable energy goals, fostering a cleaner and more environmentally friendly future for Nova Scotia.
Municipalities will benefit from hosting wind projects as there is a provincially mandated tax to be paid directly to the municipality in which the turbines are located and the sites require limited municipal services such as roads maintenance, waste removal, and water infrastructure.
Based on an assumed inflation of 3%, municipal turbine taxes will be $8,245 / MW. This is based on the installed MW, so the turbine tax is not impacted in any way by whether or not the wind blows. The $8,245 / MW will inflate at 1% per year, and start in 2026 when the wind project is operational. Based on a 100MW layout, municipal turbine tax will be approximately $824,500 per year, escalating over time. Based on a 35-year project life, the total municipal turbine tax is expected to be approximately $34 million. For a 440MW site the annual tax will be approximately $3.6M and $150M over the project life. The taxes will be paid directly to the municipality in which the turbines are located.
The vast majority of jobs occur during the construction phase of the projects where we anticipate there to be hundreds of jobs on each site and dozens of full-time or part-time equivalent during the 35-year operation of the sites. We commit to sourcing local individuals and businesses to complete as much of the work as possible.
Decommissioning is the responsibility of the project owners. While it may not be required from the municipality, EverWind and First Nation Partners will decommission the project and will post a decommissioning bond at the start of operations. RES has experience decommissioning projects in compliance with local requirements.
The decommissioning security will be in an amount equal to 100% of an independent engineer’s assessment of the net cost to decommission the project. The beneficiary of the security will be the landowner or the municipality, depending on applicable municipal requirements.
Once posted, the security will be issued by a surety, a bank or a guarantor in favour of the landowner or the municipality, depending on applicable municipal requirements.
We are in the process of evaluating Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS). ADLS turns lights off entirely when there are no planes in sight of the radars. It will also significantly (by ~95%) reduce the red flashing lights mounted at the top of wind farms during night-time.
The NSDECC’s sound guideline requires operational sound levels for projects do not exceed 40 dBA which includes cumulative modelling for existing and proposed wind sites. Site specific modelling is required for each individual project Environmental Assessment and operational monitoring. Additionally, several local municipal bylaws have operational sound requirements for receptors. The development team is available to elaborate on the calculation methodology and provide additional simulations if helpful for the community
The NSDECC’s shadow flicker guideline requires shadow flicker to not exceed <30 hr/y and <30 min/day at dwellings. Included are cumulative shadow flicker from all wind turbines in the proposed project and any shadow from any wind turbines from nearby projects. These are one of the most stringent shadow flicker standards for wind projects around the world and all of our projects are compliant.
Maintaining safety is our top priority onsite. EverWind Fuels has an excellent safety record at our facilities in Point Tupper and we aim to replicate that record across our wind sites. All of our project will utlise a 1 km setback from dwellings and 550m from camps unless otherwise stipulated by the municipality where the turbine is located. Based on the available scientific literature, these setbacks are sufficient to ensure the protection of the public health and safety of residents.
During operations, access to Crown Land will not be impeded outside of restrictive infrastructure such as gating, fencing, etc. around the turbines. Subject to our Crown land lease, we commit to limiting restrictive infrastructure outside of those required. During construction, we won’t restrict access but will sign post to ensure the public knows it is an active construction site. However, if there is an area (like an excavation or a lifting zone) where we must restrict access due to safety concerns, we will barricade and restrict access using cones, candle sticks, t-posts and rope.
We do not expect to restrict access to private land. As mentioned above, there may be some restricted areas during construction due to safety concerns
Legislated setbacks for hunting requirements (“No person shall at any time discharge a shotgun loaded with shot, a crossbow or a bow within 182 metres of a dwelling, playground, golf course, athletic field, woods operation, place of business, agricultural building or public building other than a school”) https://www.novascotia.ca/Just/Regulations/regs/wifire.htm
We do not expect to restrict hunting on private land outside of legislated setbacks for hunting requirements.
As above, access to the access roads on Crown Land will not be impeded outside of restrictive infrastructure (gating, fencing, etc). We commit to limiting restrictive infrastructure outside of those required. However, access would only be allowed following commercial operations (not during construction for safety reasons).
We commit to provide annual community benefits programs of $1,000/MW. We also expect to provide a bursary fund of $50,000 for at least 10 scholarships of $5,000 each for training in the renewable energy industry across EverWind Wind Projects, to be re-upped once used. The specific community benefit structures will change between each project and communities, however the commitment of $1,000/MW does not change.
We would like to establish a community liaison committee and have time to determine a process for how funds are allocated. Funds will be deployed in the community by the end of the first year of operation to local community initiatives, programs or services.
We commit to sign community benefits agreements with municipalities to ensure binding conditions for the life of the projects.
The Point Tupper Clean Energy Project is a green conversion and expansion project - the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada. The project will convert the Point Tupper fuels storage facility into a green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility.
Point Tupper offers an ideal location for the EverWind Fuels Point Tupper Clean Energy Project. It has a deep-water ice-free berth, rail access, storage facilities, and an experienced local workforce.
EverWind Fuels is a private developer of green hydrogen and ammonia production, storage facilities, and associated transportation assets. The executive team at EverWind has been involved in ownership, development, and operations of marine terminals, renewable power, water, energy and communications assets.
The EverWind Fuels team includes former executives from Stonepeak, Blackstone, Fortress, and Nova Scotia Power. Combined, the team has owned and operated $45 billion in infrastructure assets and has a successful track record of delivering value and responsible outcomes for our partners, customers, and local communities.
The expansion into green fuels through the at the Point Tupper site has already retained existing employees. Their expertise and local knowledge is critical to the success of this project. The Point Tupper Clean Energy Project will also add jobs.
EverWind and our Mi'kmaq equity partners would like to emphasize that our Point Tupper project will only produce certified and audited green hydrogen from energy sources that are clean, green, and environmentally sustainable per the strictest international standards: the European Union's RFNBO designation.
The Landrie Lake Reservoir is managed by the Landrie Lake Water Utility (LLWU). The reservoir system was built in the 1960's to provide raw water to the Point Tupper Industrial Park, including the refinery and the heavy water plant. It is also the source of water for the Town of Port Hawkesbury.
The LLWU is permitted to withdraw 36ML of raw water per day from the reservoir, of which approximately 6ML per day is used to meet typical current customer demands. Currently, Phase 1 of Everwind's Point Tupper Green Hydrogen/ Ammonia Project is anticipated to use approximately 8ML per day. Phase 2 is projected to require an additional 8 ML per day. Salt water from other sources will also be used for cooling.
Based on the LLWU's typical current customer demands, when Phase 1 and Phase 2 are in operation, there will be approximately 14 ML per day capacity in the Landrie Lake reservoir for other use. The Landrie Lake Watershed area is substantial, and the reservoir yield of Landrie Lake can be increased with infrastructure upgrades. Our work with the Utility has shown that it is taking a cautious and controlled approach to ensure all necessary measures are put in place to manage water use appropriately.
Safety is the top priority for everyone who works at EverWind. One of the greatest assets at EverWind is the highly skilled and expertly trained employees and contractors that work at the Point Tupper Marine Terminal. We are committed to maintaining the same world-class safety culture that has kept terminal employees safe and prevented serious injury at the site for the past 16 years.
There is a rigid maintenance and inspection plan that includes certification under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Canadian Transportation Act. Employees have comprehensive training in fire and environmental emergencies.
For example: there are 64 people trained in the handling of dangerous goods, 30 certified as advanced industrial firefighters, 20 trained in confined space rescue, and 20 certified in marine spill response.
Like other fuels, hydrogen must be managed appropriately. Hydrogen, however, is safer than gasoline and natural gas as it is not toxic and, if it leaked, it rises quickly away from the ground.
EverWind Fuels assumed ownership of the Point Tupper Oil Storage Facility in April 2022 and is moving forward with site expansion plans at the Point Tupper site. The project is already underway and securing the necessary approvals to begin phase 1 construction.
Currently, Phase 1 of the project is estimated to be operational by 2026. The second expansion phase, subject to permits and approvals, is expected to be in operation in 2027/2028.
