CHARLOTTETOWN - The provinces of Nova Scotia and British Columbia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will encourage greater collaboration on tidal energy research and policy development.

The memorandum, signed by Energy Minister Charlie Parker and British Columbia Energy, Mines and Natural Gas Minister Rich Coleman, will help advance extracting renewable energy from offshore wind, waves and tides, as well as river currents. It was signed during the federal, provincial and territorial Energy and Mines Ministers' meeting in Charlottetown.

"This is an important step in supporting small-scale tidal energy projects that could be developed near rural communities, providing community and economic benefits in both provinces and in other parts of Canada," said Parker. "Partnerships and collaboration like this one will advance the industry in Nova Scotia and help ensure a consistent regulatory framework across the country."

"By working together, British Columbia and Nova Scotia can support marine renewable energy research and development and provide regulatory certainty to investors and project developers by developing a clear regulatory and permitting pathway for projects," said Coleman. "British Columbia and Nova Scotia have coastal resources that include wind, tidal and wave energy. There are opportunities to provide power to coastal and First Nations communities, many currently served by diesel power."

Nova Scotia is a world leader in in-stream tidal technology development with the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy in the Bay of Fundy. Research is also being done by the Offshore Energy Research Association of Nova Scotia on tidal energy impacts, environmental affects and monitoring.

In May, Nova Scotia released its Marine Renewable Electricity Plan to guide ocean energy resources development into affordable clean, renewable electricity, and use that to build exports.

British Columbian companies have developed innovative in-stream turbines and wave-energy converters to generate electricity from ocean as well as river currents. Many B.C. sites are being examined for ocean energy potential.

One pilot project has produced electricity from tidal currents, while three others aim to show innovative wave and tidal energy technology in the waters around Vancouver Island.

All jurisdictions involved in marine renewable energy, including Nova Scotia, B.C., the U.S. and the U.K., support incremental development to build technical knowledge and allow research on ecological impacts, and community and public engagement.

A photo of the MOU signing is available on the Communications Nova Scotia website: http://novascotia.ca/news/Photos/2012/sep/NSBCsigning_5214_10x7.jpg

Media Contacts:

British Columbia:
Sandra Steilo
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas
250 952-0617

Nova Scotia:
Tracy Barron
Department of Energy
902 424-1757
barrontb@gov.ns.ca