by Dan Roscoe, President of Renewall
It flows out to fuel suppliers overseas, to out-of-province coal producers, to companies with no stake in our communities. That’s not just an energy problem. That’s an economic one.
But what if we kept that money here? What if, instead of exporting our energy dollars, we invested them in our people, our communities, and our future?
This is precisely the opportunity developing energy independence through locally generated renewable energy is providing us.
For decades, Nova Scotia has explored ways to capture the economic benefits of energy development. But too often, those benefits didn’t stay in the province. Jobs came and went. Profits were exported. And regular Nova Scotians were left wondering: where’s our share?
Now, we have a new opportunity—one that’s cleaner, fairer, and built for the long haul. By investing in locally generated renewable energy, we can keep more economic value at home, reduce our reliance on volatile fuel markets, and finally build the kind of long-term financial stability homeowners, businesses, and communities have been seeking for years.
Import Dependence
Nova Scotia still relies heavily on imported fuels to meet our energy needs. Whether it’s heating oil, gasoline, or coal, these imports cost us—financially and strategically. In fact, more than $5 billion leaves the province every year just to pay for imported fossil fuel energy. That’s money that could be building local infrastructure, creating jobs, or reducing power bills.
The Cost of Energy Volatility
Because we’re tied to external markets, we’re also tied to their instability. Global conflict, supply chain disruptions, and price shocks affect what we pay at home. Whether you're a homeowner or a business owner, the result is the same: unpredictability. And in an economy already stretched thin, that’s a burden we don’t need.
Local Renewable Energy = Local Economic Growth
When we build renewable energy projects here in Nova Scotia, we don’t just produce power—we create economic momentum. Every wind turbine and solar panel installed means dollars spent on local labour, equipment, and services. That money circulates in our communities instead of being wired out of province.
Reducing Economic Leakages
Economists call it “economic leakage” when money flows out of a local economy. The more we import fuel, the more we leak. The more energy we produce locally, the more we keep. It’s that simple.
When supported by the proper policies, renewables also create opportunities for local ownership—whether it’s a cooperative wind farm, a community solar array, a small business contracting to install new systems or larger, more ambitious projects like Renewall and Mersey River Wind. More control means more return on investment for Nova Scotians.
Renewables Create Local, Lasting Jobs
Unlike fossil fuels, which create short-term booms followed by long-term busts, renewable energy generates steady, permanent employment. Wind and solar projects need planners, electricians, engineers, maintenance crews, and more. And these are jobs that can’t be outsourced—they’re rooted in local soil.
Clean Energy Job Growth
Across Canada, clean energy jobs are outpacing fossil fuel jobs. From 2020 to 2023, employment in renewable energy grew faster than any other energy sector. In rural communities especially, clean energy has become a lifeline—offering stable, well-paying work where other industries have pulled back.
Expanding Local Supply Chains
As the sector grows, so does demand for services like fabrication, transportation, electrical work, and site maintenance. That means more opportunity for local businesses across industries—not just energy.
Protection from Rising Energy Costs
One of the biggest benefits of local renewables is price stability. Unlike fossil fuels, which are at the mercy of global markets, renewable energy can be locked in through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)—long-term contracts that give homeowners and businesses predictability and peace of mind.
Community Energy Ownership Models
There’s also huge potential in community-based energy projects. Imagine a town that owns its own wind farm, with profits flowing back into public services. This model has worked in places like Denmark, Germany, and parts of the U.S.—and there’s no reason it can’t work here.
Building Energy Independence for the Province
The more we produce here at home, the less we depend on distant markets. That’s not just smart economics—it’s energy security. It means resilience in the face of global disruption and stability when the rest of the world is scrambling.
This isn’t just about government or big developers. It’s about all of us. Businesses can explore PPAs to lock in affordable, clean electricity. Homeowners will soon have more options to power their homes with local renewables—now’s the time to start thinking ahead.
Communities can organize and advocate for locally owned projects that return value to residents.
For too long, we’ve sent our energy dollars out of the province—and with them, the opportunity to build something better. Now, Nova Scotians have the chance to flip the script. To invest in our own future. To create jobs that stay here, power that’s made here, and wealth that works for us—not somewhere else.
It’s a simple choice: keep exporting dollars, or start building a stronger, more self-sufficient Nova Scotia.
Let’s make energy work for us.
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Dan Roscoe is the President of Renewall Energy, a renewable energy provider, and CEO of Roswall Development, a renewable energy developer, both based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His work is focused on building the infrastructure for a cleaner, smarter energy future across Canada and beyond.
