We’re all in this together. In support of our partners companies in the Atlantic Clean Energy Alliance, C2 recently published this editorial in the local print media:
The future of energy in New Brunswick is likely to look different – and maybe much different – than it does today. We all know that there are important and significant energy changes taking place all around the world – new technologies are being developed that allow for cheaper and cleaner energy production, and customers of all types are starting to demand, and even pay a premium, for greener energy. And we firmly believe that amidst all this potential change, New Brunswick is well positioned to create both new economic and environmental value.
C2 Solar is a renewable energy start here in New Brunswick. We’re a small team, and for the last several years we’ve been focused on building a small portfolio of potential solar energy developments. Our initial focus has been on the design and permitting of a 10 MW, truly utility-scale solar farm in northern NB, near Bathurst – not very far from the Pabineau First Nation and former Brunswick Mine site. And we’ve made some headway – last year, we received full environmental approval from the New Brunswick government to support the development of a solar farm of this scale. There’s lots and lots of work left to do to make this vision a reality, but these are important first steps.
While C2 Solar and other firms continue to prospect for new renewable energy opportunities here in New Brunswick, there’s also very important work taking place in Saint John around the early design and commercial development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). It might sound surprising for a small solar energy firm to make this statement, but we’ll make it anyway – we support the work of our governments and local utilities around SMR technology.
Why would we say this? The truth is, if as a province and country we’re going to tackle the challenges of climate change while promoting green economic growth, then all zero-emission solutions will be needed – solar, wind, tidal from the strong current of the Bay of Fundy and, yes, nuclear. Recently, Minister Seamus O’Regan, who leads our federal Natural Resources department, made the strong case that nuclear isn’t just important today, but will remain important into the future, stating: “We have not seen a model where we can get to net-zero emissions by 2050 without nuclear.” We agree.
At the same time, we also believe that more solar, wind, and tidal will also be necessary to best the challenges we face as a society. We believe that our governments and our local utilities – working together – can create a strong environment for ongoing energy innovation here in New Brunswick, a playing field that actively supports the strategic development of SMRs while also supporting the nearer term scale-up of new, local renewables like solar. The future can shine a little bit brighter if we work together today.