EverWind: Fueling Nova Scotia’s Clean Energy Debate

It isn’t news that the global transition away from fossil fuels is becoming a topic of increasing urgency. The Canadian government has supported various industries that produce renewable energy over recent years including green hydrogen and ammonia, which can be produced using renewable energy to create a carbon-free fuel. Yet as good as it sounds, the process is far from black and white in terms of economic and environmental benefits. As a recent event at StFX helped demonstrate, one company’s vision is the topic  of an ongoing debate. 

EverWind Fuels is an American-owned company that is developing wind farms across Nova Scotia to power a facility in Point Tupper, Richmond County, which will produce green ammonium to export to Germany. Germany is currently investing heavily in green hydrogen and ammonia and has established a partnership with Canada to support major exports from Atlantic Canada. The project is currently in Phase 1 of 2, including construction of four windfarms and the ammonia facility, with operations aimed to begin in 2028.  

On January 22, the StFX German Society hosted a presentation on campus where executives from EverWind were invited to present the project to students and members of the community. The event was organized by Allie Fennell and Lucy Henkel, co-presidents of StFX’s Germany Society, with the aim of giving students an opportunity to engage with a project of both local and international significance. Yet Marlis Lade, StFX’s German program coordinator, received numerous complaints about the event beforehand, regarding the consequences of EverWind’s projects for Nova Scotians and the province’s natural spaces. Fennell and Henkel recognized the importance of involving these voices, and pushed for the inclusion of a Q&A period at the end of the evening, asking students in German course labs to submit questions beforehand. 

Green Nova Scotia First (GNSF) is one local group that has been voicing opposition to EverWind’s projects, urging the province to focus on a complete transition to renewable energy before considering export to other countries. Jason Hurst, a member of GNSF who attended the event, explained the group's primary grievances with the project. One of their principal concerns is that energy is lost during the process of converting wind energy into ammonia and shipping it overseas. They argue that this energy could be used more efficiently to power, and thus directly benefit, communities in Nova Scotia. 

Jeff Bonazza, Director of Permitting at EverWind and a 2010 StFX biology graduate, presented at the StFX event. “Even though there are some efficiencies, which we would acknowledge,” he said, “it’s replacing ammonia that is currently being generated by the use of fossil fuels, so we see it as still having a net benefit.” He went on to explain that the Phase 1 projects, which are connected to the provincial grid, can still be used to provide energy to Nova Scotians: “At periods of high [energy] demand, we can curtail production of green hydrogen/ammonia and it can go to users from the grid.” As Claire Parsons, EverWind’s Director of Communications, described, the wind generation will “strengthen the grid, improve reliability, and create flexibility that does not exist today.” 

However, GNSF remains critical of the amount of energy this project would actually provide  Nova Scotians. “[EverWind has] bought three projects that were destined for the grid and they’ll be using those for Phase 1,” said Jason, “but what’s really most concerning is their Phase 2 projects, which are entirely located in Guysborough… [They’re] not going to be tied to the grid at all.” The Phase 2 projects will be directly connected to the Point Tupper ammonia production facility via an independent transmission line, meaning that energy produced from these farms will not directly benefit Nova Scotians. 

 In terms of economic stimulus, Hurst recognized that Everwind’s projects will bring jobs to communities in Nova Scotia, but has also stated that “that benefit doesn’t offset the net negatives.” Bonazza, however, spoke to benefits aside from employment opportunities: “for municipalities… in proximity to the wind projects, there are community vibrancy funds, proximity payments, bursaries…and ultimately big investment dollars that are spent in rural Nova Scotia.” EverWind will additionally be carrying out wind farm development in partnership with several Mi’kmaq communities, including Memertou First Nation, which owns 51% of the wind farm project in Upper Afton. 

GNSF is additionally concerned with the environmental impacts of wind farm development. While one wind farm might have a minimal ecological footprint, the cumulative effect of over half a dozen spread across the province could have an unforeseen toll on wildlife corridors, recreational land use, and biodiversity, especially as these windfarms will be larger and more dense than others previously established in the province. “Obviously,” said Hurst, “the more dense that turbine project is, the worse it is for the environment.” 

In terms of the environmental impact of establishing wind farms, Bonazza explained that “there is a lot that goes into the siting to reduce environmental impact,” including measures to abide by the province's wetland policy and environmental assessment process. GNSF, however, still has qualms. “It’s very corporate-friendly, and it’s very one-sided,” Hurst said of the environmental assessment process. While companies can take years to conduct research and compile the necessary documents, once submitted to the Nova Scotia government there is only a short window of time before projects can be rejected or approved, which GNSF is concerned can lead to rushed decision-making. Despite this, the Point Tupper project is, as Parsons stated, in compliance with the EU’s standards for renewable fuels, "reinforcing EverWind’s commitment to delivering green fuels that align with modern international standards.” 

Ultimately, the Point Tupper project has ignited heated debates around the province, revealing an underlying complexity to what upon first glance may appear to be an unimpeachable business venture. As Parson stated, EverWind is confident that Nova Scotia “can reduce emissions at home while also building a new clean export industry that helps displace fossil fuels globally,” but many groups remain strongly opposed. While both EverWind and groups like Green Nova Scotia First may ultimately support a clean energy transition, conversations about what that transition should look like and who will benefit are continuing to unfold. Evidently, events like the panel hosted at StFX are valuable opportunities for disagreeing parties to engage with one another, and ongoing dialogue will be essential to ensure that all voices continue to be fairly represented.  “I think the controversy made the event more important,” Fennell noted. “It’s really good to see the community really critically thinking and engaging with it.”