The Nova Scotia Community Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT ... - Amiando

The Nova Scotia
Community Feed-in
Tariff (COMFIT)
Program
Program Update and
Review

Overview
1. Introduction to COMFIT
2. Current Status
3. Overview of Program Review

Introduction to COMFIT
An Overview

What is COMFIT?
• An opportunity
• Part of the
Renewable Electricity
Plan
– Enhanced Net Metering
– Competitive Bidding

The COMFIT cont’
“The COMFIT is an opportunity to receive
an established price per kilowatt hour
(kWh) for projects producing electricity
from qualifying renewable resources. It is
intended to encourage and support the
development of renewable electricity
projects by community-based groups such
as municipalities, First Nations, co-
operatives, CEDIF’s and not-for-profit
groups.” Source: Update and Preliminary Guide on Renewable Electricity in NS, 2010. p.7

Eligibility
Groups Technologies
• Mi’kmaq band councils
• Municipalities
• CEDIFs
• Not-for-Profits
• Co-operatives
• Universities
• Biomass facilities
• Biomass combined
heat and power
• Small-scale in-stream
tidal
• Hydroelectricity
• Wind
– ≤ 50 kW
– > 50 kW

Who Pays for COMFIT?
• Price determined by
NS Utility and Review
Board (UARB)
• Longer term
stabilization of rates
is expected through
renewable electricity
generation
Nova
Scotia
Power
NSPI
Customers
COMFIT
Projects

Progress to Date

Program Update
• To date, well over 100 applications have
been received from more than 20
applicants
– Majority are CEDIF’s
– Some municipalities have applied
– Not for Profit’s
– Universities
– First Nations
• Majority of applications are large wind
however there are a few biomass and
tidal and hydroelectric
• There still significant opportunities for
small wind projects.

• The Department has issued over 45
approvals totaling more than 120 MW.
• The majority of approvals are for large
wind.
• The Department anticipates awards of
more than 200MW of capacity –
however given attrition rates for
distribution level projects this may be
required to ultimately achieve 100MW
of in-service capacity.

COMFIT PPA
• The COMFIT Standard Form Power
Purchase Agreement has been filed
with the Utility and Review Board
• M05149
• Interveners have until October 1 to
submit intent, and October 9 th to file
comments
• Current expectation of Board Decision
in early November

Program Review
Addressing Frequently
Asked Questions

Key Components Overview
• Eligibility Review
• Technology Review
• COMFIT Policies and Directives
• COMFIT Impacts
• Community Support and Engagement
• It is anticipated that the review will take
place over the winter with
recommendations and conclusions by
spring. Key Components will be assessed
on an ongoing basis over the coming
months.

Nsrenewables
• A portal will be established on the
nsrenewables website. This will be the
primary avenue for comment and review.
• The Department will post all key
documents for comment, and notify
through the nsrenewables list-serve.
• Webinars will be hosted by senior staff
for comment on specific issues, with Q
and A sessions similar to the webinar
hosted for this conference.
• Stakeholder feedback sessions will be
held over the course of the fall.

Program Review Components
• Eligibility Review:
– The Department will be reviewing eligible
entities for the COMFIT program.
– Comment period will be allowed for on
nsrenewables to propose possible areas of
assessment.
• Technology Review:
– The Technology review will focus primarily on
Solar PV. A consultant will be selected to
conduct the technical components of this part
of the review.
– Comment period will be allowed for on
nsrenewables to propose possible areas of
assessment.

Program Review Components
• COMFIT policies and Directives
– The Department will be reviewing each of
the program directives to ensure they are
operationally relevant.
– Comment period/suggestions can be
made through nsrenewables.
– Stakeholder sessions will be held for
feedback on administration of the
program, and new program policies.
– New Directives will be posted for
comment (PPA if eligible entity goes
defunct)

Program Review Components
• COMFIT Impacts:
– Potential to award more than 200MW of
COMFIT capacity requires that we assess
possible impacts of the program
– Assumption that there will be some
capacity lost through system impact
studies must be validated
– Future acceptance of large wind
application will be assessed

Pause of Large Wind
• Department no longer accepting large wind
applications for the course of the Program Review
– Will work with registered applicants over the next
week to determine status of projects
– Based on current COMFIT portfolio impacts must be
assessed as we approach the technical limit for
intermittent sources energy
– Focus should now be on project implementation
– COMFIT applicants are strong players, attrition rates
may be lower than expected.
– Concentration of capacity has pro’s and cons
– Program Review will make determinations regarding
future acceptance of large-wind projects
– Impacts on investment through the CEDIF model
must be further understood

Program Review Components
• Community Support and Engagement:
– A policy for community support and
engagement has been drafted and will be
released for public and applicant
comment.
– This is meant to provide more clarity
regarding COMFIT requirements for
community support
– This is in response to community concerns
and will provide a common understanding
of the Departments expectations

Questions?
comfit@gov.ns.ca
www.nsrenewables.ca