The New Brunswick government granted conditional approval for a 500-megawatt natural gas plant in Tantramar. Officials state the facility is essential to prevent potential rolling blackouts.
NB Power signed a 25-year contract with U.S.-based ProEnergy to build and operate the site. The facility is scheduled to become operational by 2028.
The approval includes 45 conditions regarding environmental monitoring and emergency planning. The plant will primarily support renewable energy sources with gas-burning limited to 17% of the time.
The site will use natural gas from the Maritimes and Northeast pipeline. It maintains the capability to switch to diesel fuel as a secondary source.