Everwind proposes transmission line across Strait of Canso for hydrogen project

Frances Willick · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 06, 2025 11:32 AM EST | Last Updated: March 6

The institution down projected upwind power, hydrogen and ammonia accumulation projects successful Guysborough and Richmond counties has filed its biology appraisal documents for an energy transmission enactment that would transverse the Strait of Canso.

Everwind Fuels wants to conception a 345-kilovolt overhead transmission enactment that would bring energy from a projected upwind powerfulness substation successful Steep Creek, Guysborough County, to its projected hydrogen and ammonia accumulation installation successful Point Tupper, N.S.

The 1.5-kilometre enactment would necessitate specialized suspension towers that are 210 metres high, and would beryllium precocious capable to let vessels to walk done the Strait of Canso below. The towers would beryllium pre-assembled disconnected tract and past constructed connected tract utilizing cranes and helicopters.

The biology assessment considered however the task would impact a wide assortment of factors, including clime change, onshore use, food and wildlife, and the economy. The report, prepared by Strum Consulting, concludes that with mitigation and monitoring, the task volition not origin important adverse effects.

The projected plan considered the anticipation of extreme weather to guarantee the transmission enactment instrumentality tin past safety-related hazards.

Construction connected the enactment would statesman adjacent year. The enactment is expected to statesman operating successful 2027 and proceed for 80 years.

Ammonia and hydrogen projects

The company's hydrogen and ammonia installation received biology support successful February 2023. The task would usage star and upwind powerfulness to nutrient greenish hydrogen and ammonia for section usage and export. 

Ammonia is utilized for cultivation fertilizers worldwide, but the accumulation of accepted ammonia emits c dioxide. Using "green" ammonia — ammonia made from renewable vigor sources — reduces the c footprint of production.

Green hydrogen tin regenerate earthy state for heating oregon energy production. Everwind has said determination is potential for Atlantic Canada to export greenish hydrogen to Europe, wherever it tin beryllium utilized to decarbonize sectors specified arsenic proscription and dense industry. The request for greenish hydrogen and ammonia is besides expected to turn successful Nova Scotia and Canada, the study says.

But some critics person said the marketplace is improbable to ever materialize and the export program would not beryllium an businesslike usage of renewable energy.

The state has already approved Everwind's 3 projected upwind powerfulness projects — Windy Ridge, which is northbound of Debert, Kmtnuk successful Colchester County and — Bear Lake, situated astatine the intersection of West Hants Regional Municipality, Halifax Regional Municipality and the Municipality of the District of Chester.

The nationalist tin supply feedback connected the transmission enactment connection until April 5. The curate of situation indispensable determine connected oregon earlier April 25 whether to o.k. the biology assessment.