Sector Highlight:

Our clean tech sector growth leaves the national average in the dust.

We in Halifax love our fellow provinces. But someone has to lead by example. When measured by technological developments that lead to reduced environmental impact, our little home province of Nova Scotia is a giant on the national stage. Our clean tech sector grew by an incredible 31% between 2012 and 2018, compared to 19% nationally. And Halifax is the knowledge and population base that’s driving this growth.

Given our location—nearly surrounded by water—and our commitment to R&D in this sector, much of our energy (pun intended) is aimed at tidal and wind power. The Bay of Fundy pushes more than 160 billion tonnes of water every tide, and the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE) takes advantage, as Canada’s leading research centre for in-stream tidal energy. And our province is a national leader in wind energy, with more than 300 commercial wind turbines generating power. But energy generation is just one of the ways our clean tech expertise is getting noticed. Energy storage, energy efficiency, and bioproducts are a few more.

The facts of the matter.

• Jobs in clean tech grew by 27 per cent from 2012 to 2018
• We’ve received nearly $42.5 million from the federal government’s Clean Air and Climate Change Trust Fund.
• We’ve reduced GHG emissions by 26% from 2005 levels.
• Nova Scotia is the first province or state in North America to make LED streetlights the law.
• Our Renewable Electricity Plan is moving the province away from carbon-based electricity toward greener, more local sources of energy.
• Measured by GDP, our clean tech sector grew by 31% in just six years.

Clean Tech hubs begin with strong academic partnerships.

Halifax is the dynamic center of a province that punches above its weight in advanced education. The province is home to 10 universities and 13 community college campuses that are training the next generation of clean tech entrepreneurs, and acting as hubs for research and development within the clean tech industry. Strong relationships between academia and industry lead to innovations that are game-changers for improving our natural environment.

Halifax is home base for clean tech thinking.

Carbon Sense Solutions Inc.
Developed an award-winning concrete curing process that improves the material performance of precast concrete, while consuming carbon dioxide.

Seaforth Energy Inc.
Produces a 50 kW turbine that can withstand the harshest weather conditions, and is small enough for municipal power generation, diesel-based utilities, agriculture, and industry.

LED Roadway Lighting
Develops LED streetlights, with a design life of 20 years, that allow municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs.

Green Power Labs
A predictive analytics company that helps their clients manage building energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency.

In Halifax, we foster clean tech innovation with investment.

Rebates, tax credits, and strategic investment add fuel to Halifax’s clean tech fire. Up to 50% of Scientific Research & Experimental Development expenditures made in Nova Scotia are eligible as a tax credit; 25% of qualified capital investment expenditures are eligible for an Innovation Rebate Program rebate; and clean energy equipment is eligible for a full tax write-off the year it is put in use.

Contact Discover Halifax to learn more!

Ready to learn more, or to start planning your event in Halifax?  Contact our sector expert today.