Nova Scotia is accelerating efforts to boost its energy resilience and renewable integration with a renewed focus on grid-scale batteries, a move that experts and utilities say could transform how electricity is stored and delivered across the province.
The initiative comes as the province’s Independent Energy System Operator (IESO) prepares to seek bids for additional large-scale battery capacity to help balance the grid and manage the increasing variability of wind and other renewable sources.
Utility-scale battery energy storage systems are designed to store electricity when generation exceeds demand — such as during periods of strong wind or daytime solar production — and release it back into the grid during peak demand or when generation is low. These systems can quickly respond to fluctuations in supply and demand, making them a valuable complement to renewable energy sources that depend on weather conditions.
Already, Nova Scotia Power’s Grid-Scale Battery Project — the largest battery installation in Atlantic Canada — has seen major progress. Two of the three planned 50 MW/4-hour battery facilities in Bridgewater and Waverley were energized in late 2025 and have entered daily operational use. These facilities can store enough energy to supply roughly 40,000 average homes for about four hours and have already been used during peak demand cold snaps to support grid reliability.
The full project, which includes a third site in White Rock expected to come online in 2026, represents a total investment of about $237 million and has been supported by a mix of financing, including loans from the Canada Infrastructure Bank and contributions from federal clean energy programs.
Grid-scale batteries play a crucial role in helping Nova Scotia meet its renewable energy goals — including its plan to reach 80 per cent clean energy by 2030 — by enabling the grid to store excess renewable generation and deliver it when and where it’s needed most. They also enhance reliability during peak demand periods, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel generation and improving system flexibility.
As Nova Scotia continues to explore the potential for even more grid-scale batteries, these systems offer a blueprint for how energy storage can stabilize power networks while supporting decarbonization goals. By helping to bridge periods of high demand and intermittent renewable output, large-scale energy storage strengthens both grid resiliency and environmental outcomes.
For residents and businesses interested in the future of clean energy and energy reliability, now is a great time to get involved. Take our short survey to receive your free solar and BESS quote to learn how battery and solar solutions can help you save money.
