Atlantic premiers team up on energy sales

Atlantic Canadian Energy System aligns Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador to integrate grids, expand transmission, and export clean power, including hydroelectric and nuclear, via cross-border links to New England.

The premiers of the four Atlantic provinces have renewed a pact to act together on energy development, particularly on projects that could wheel energy beyond their borders.

A statement issued by the premiers - Darrell Dexter of Nova Scotia, Shawn Graham of New Brunswick, Robert Ghiz of Prince Edward Island, who has touted a power deal for the region, and Danny Williams of Newfoundland and Labrador - says the provinces will co-operate on "an integrated and collaborative Atlantic Canadian energy system," including projects to export energy to other jurisdictions.

The premiers are all currently attending the annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, where power collaboration between the regions is on the agenda.

The agreement comes as energy issues have been at the fore in the region. In New Brunswick, Areva - a French energy conglomerate - is promoting a second nuclear reactor, even as energy hub discussions continue in the province, while Williams has been seeking the support of other premiers to move power from the proposed Lower Churchill hydroelectric project in Labrador through the Maritimes as the region considers a single operator to coordinate the grid.

"All four Atlantic Canadian provinces have been working together on a range of energy issues through the Council of Atlantic Premiers, and look forward to building on that work in conjunction with the federal government through the Atlantic Energy Gateway Initiative," the statement said, as ministers continue to promote wind power across the region.

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