© Nova Scotia
The funding comes from the province’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund, supporting projects like solar panel installations, vessel electrification and energy-efficient infrastructure upgrades. The three-year fund, administered by Efficiency Nova Scotia, will provide a total of $6.5 million to industry climate change projects.
"Our seafood sector is a key partner in addressing climate change. This funding will help seafood organisations in their efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while also helping the industry lower its operational costs,” said Kent Smith, Nova Scotia‘s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, in a press release.
Aquaculture-focused projects include Shandaph Oysters Co. Inc. recieving nearly $34,000 for a solar-plus-storage system to power its off-grid operations, Aqualitas awarded $100,000 for a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system at its finfish facility and Deep Cove Aqua Farms Ltd. secured $100,000 to expand its live lobster holding capacity using energy-efficient refrigeration. The full list approved projects can be found here.
So far, 36 projects have received a combined $3.54 million in funding. The Nova Scotia Department of Energy has contributed $2 million and an additional $10 million in low-interest loans will be available through the Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board to support further climate-friendly upgrades.
A third call for project funding applications is scheduled for later this year.
