Vermont Signs Deal to Study Moving Nova Scotia Wind Power to New England

Vermont plans to issue licenses for 5 gigawatts of wind power this year, and Nova Scotia plans to follow with another 10 gigawatts in coming years. Fifteen gigawatts would be enough to power about 12 million homes.

Gov. Phil Scott signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston on Tuesday. The agreement sets up collaboration between the two governments on developing wind power as an energy source. Nova Scotia sits northeast of Maine and has a population of about 1 million.

Nova Scotia could route power from offshore turbines to Massachusetts through an undersea cable, or send it into the Canadian grid and down to New England through Vermont, Kerrick Johnson said. Johnson serves as commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Service, which advocates for state ratepayers. "It's a big deal," Johnson said. "We need clean, affordable power at scale."

The province moved up its development plans after the Trump administration pulled back from supporting wind projects in the United States, Johnson said. A similar agreement between Massachusetts and Nova Scotia was signed in February. Johnson described the two deals as complementary, not competitive.

Vermont's Highgate Converter has carried power across the U.S. border since 1985. The two-way equipment can import 220 megawatts of Hydro Quebec power. Upgrading the converter is expected to cost nearly $1 billion.

The state must choose between a similar replacement and equipment capable of handling two to three times the current capacity. A decision is expected next year, and construction would take several years, Johnson said. "Given the scope of their vision, you're going to want more than one route for that to be delivered," he said.