The Procurement Administrator has updated the Proponent FAQ on the GCP website to address Proponent questions on section 6.2.1 Resource Assessment and Appendix 8.7 Local Expenditure Table
Specifically, for Section 6.2.1, these questions were related to the definition of a Wind Meteorological Tower, and confirming the number of measurement locations and dataset length required for wind Projects to score maximum points.
For Appendix 8.7, the question was related to accounting for land leasing costs in the Local Expenditure Table.
If you have any questions, please utilize the Contact Us form on the GCP website or reach out to novascotia@cohoclimate.com directly.
The Procurement Administrator has updated the Proponent FAQ on the GCP website to provide additional information on payment options for the Notice of Intent to Bid Fee. Proponents are encouraged to contact the Procurement Administrator <novascotia@cohoclimate.com> as soon as possible if they intend to utilize ACH payment.
As a reminder, the Notice of Intent to Bid Deadline is 5 business days following the UARB approval of the PPA (anticipated for late April/early May). The PA will notify the GCP mailing list of the finalized Deadline following UARB approval of the PPA.
Notice of Intent to Bid Deadline Extension:
The anticipated UARB approval of the PPA has been delayed to incorporate regulatory changes borne from The Energy Reform Act. As a result, the Procurement Administrator (PA) has extended the Notice of Intent to Bid Deadline to 5 business days following UARB approval of the PPA. The PA will notify the GCP mailing list and post an update here once the PPA is approved (anticipated for late April/early May).
In addition, the PA has extended the Inquiries Deadline to May 17, 2024. Please note that this extension will not impact the Proposal Submission Deadline or any subsequent milestones.
The PA has updated the RFP, Proposal Submission Instruction, Notice of Intent to Bid (all viewable on the Proponent Documents tab), and the Timeline tab to reflect these changes.
Energy Reform Q&A:
The Department of Natural Resources & Renewables has provided a number of questions and responses regarding the Energy Reform Act, and potential impacts on the GCP. These can be found on the Proponent Resources tab.
Addendum 1 to the GCP RFP:
The Procurement Administrator (PA) has issued Addendum 1 to the GCP Request for Proposals (RFP), titled “Revisions to GCP RFP (Scored Criteria & Appendix)”. This Addendum:
Please note that the RFP has been updated to reflect these revisions. The Addendum and the updated RFP are viewable on the Proponent Documents tab. Further, the PA has re-uploaded the Configuration Form to reflect these revisions.
Notice of Intent to Bid Reminder:
The PA reminds Proponents that the Notice of Intent to Bid Deadline is 11:59 pm AST on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024. The Notice of Intent to Bid form can be found on the Proponent Documents tab. In order to participate in the GCP RFP, Proponents must submit a completed Notice of Intent to Bid form to the PA via email at novascotia@cohoclimate.com and pay the Notice of Intent to Bid Fee in accordance with RFP instructions, prior to the Notice of Intent to Bid Deadline.
For interested Participants: The Procurement Administrator has updated the Participant FAQ on the GCP website to reflect questions that were asked during the January 24thParticipant webinar and other questions that came in through email regarding participation in the GCP. A recording of the webinar can be viewed on the “Participant Resources” tab of the GCP website. Interested participants are encouraged to contact the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables <greenchoice@novascotia.ca> with application questions and Nova Scotia Power <greenchoice@nspower.ca> regarding account verification. As a reminder, the Participant Application deadline is March 25th, 2024.
For interested Proponents: The Procurement Administrator has updated the Proponent FAQ on the GCP website to reflect questions that were asked during the February 13th webinar with the Community Consultant regarding the Engagement with the General Public section of the RFP. A recording of the webinar was shared with attendees on the “interested GCP Proponents email list”. Interested proponents are encouraged to contact the Procurement Administrator <novascotia@cohoclimate.com> with procurement questions and the Community Consultant <gcp@m5.ca> with questions on community engagement. As a reminder, the Notice of Intent to Bid submission deadline is April 2nd, 2024.
This update notifies Proponents that under the authority in the Electricity Act, the Minister issued a Directive to Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSP) on January 16th.
The Directive states that NSP must provide the necessary equipment to maintain the transmission system reliability, stability, and quality for interconnected wind generation facilities procured under the Electricity Act. This requirement includes any wind generation that was procured prior to this Directive being isssued.
NSP may set minimum technical requirements for wind turbines based on commercially available wind turbines.
For updates and how this may impact your project, please contact NSP.
We are excited to announce the official launch of the Green Choice Program on December 15, 2023. This collaborative initiative, managed jointly by the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (NRR), Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI), and Coho Climate Advisors, empowers organizations to make sustainable choices in energy consumption. Your interest in participating is greatly appreciated, and we are eager to guide you through the application process.
Before initiating the application, please ensure you have reviewed the following key documents:
1. Green Choice Program Participants Guide
2. Green Choice Program Application Guide
2. Checklist in Appendix I (Page 9)
3. FAQ section on the GCP website
Application Completion:
Carefully complete all sections of the application form, designate primary and secondary contacts, and provide necessary supporting documents. If applying as an aggregate partnership, ensure the lead partner is identified with the required documentation.
Application Timelines:
Please note the important timelines for the application process:
1. Application Open Date: December 15, 2023
2. Application Submission Deadline: March 4, 2024
3. Minister Decision Date: May 8, 2024 (45 business days after the close of the application)
Participant Agreement Discussions and Negotiations:
After the Minister's decision, discussions and negotiations for the Participant Agreement will take place from May to August 2024. A draft will be available for Participant's review before the submission deadline on March 4th. The regulations and Participant Guide include the minimum criteria for the terms and conditions.
Project Commercial Operation Date:
The estimated Project Commercial Operation Date is December 31, 2028. Some projects may achieve commercial operation prior to this date.
Electricity Account Verification:
It is crucial to work with NSPI's Customer Service Team to verify account information and total electricity consumption. Contact NSPI at greenchoice@nspower.ca.
Withdrawal of Application:
Applicants can withdraw their application without penalty on or before April 17, 2024, by contacting NRR at greenchoice@novascotia.ca.
Minister's Decision on Participant's Application:
The Minister will provide written notification to eligible participants no later than 45 business days after the closing of the application window.
Application Overview Webinar:
The webinar will walk Participants through the application process, participation details, and timelines. Please send questions to NRR in advance to help us prepare for the webinar; however, there will be time for some Q&A's during the webinar as well.
To register: Wednesday January 24th 11:00am-12:00pm AST https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/acdcdcf3-9c36-47aa-b597-8d5d7ac50673@7bc05526-aac6-46ad-8727-96949e5e52e1
We look forward to your active participation in the Green Choice Program, contributing to a sustainable and green future. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Feel free to reach out to NRR for any clarification or additional information at greenchoice@novascotia.ca.
The Procurement Administrator has issued Erratum 1 to the RFP, titled "Corrections to Section 6.3.1 Engagement with the General Public". This Erratum serves to correct a date in the RFP. Please note that the RFP has been updated to reflect these revisions. The Erratum and the updated RFP are viewable on the “Proponent Documents” tab of the GCP Website.
The GCP Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued as of December 1st, 2023. The following materials can be found on the “Proponent Documents” tab of the GCP Website:
· The Green Choice Program Request for Proposals (RFP)
· Overview of Major Changes from the GCP RFP Draft
· Proposal Submission Materials:
· GCP Notice of Intent to Bid
Please note that the Notice of Intent to Bid Deadline is April 2nd, 2024 (due at 11:59 PM AST via email to novascotia@cohoclimate.com) and the Proposal Submission Deadline is June 14th, 2024 (due at 11:59 PM AST via secure file sharing platform). The PA will inform Proponents of any adjustments to the RFP timeline via the GCP mailing list, and by posting an update to the GCP website on the “Timeline” tab of the GCP website.
The PA intends to share periodic FAQ updates to the GCP website. Interested GCP parties can contact us for inquiries to be included in the Proponent FAQat any time.
Natural Resources and Renewables (NRR) are pleased to let you know that we anticipate being able to start accepting Participant applications for the Green Choice Program starting December 15, 2023. Important dates can be viewed on the Timeline and Participant Resources tab of the GCP Website.
This program has been years in the making, and we appreciate your continued support and enthusiasm.
New or revised participant resources will be uploaded to the Green Choice Program website to support your application, on or before December 15, 2023 – including guides and forms, such as:
You can find existing resources for the Green Choice Program here: https://novascotiagcp.com/participant-resources
Additionally, as you have questions please feel free to submit them directly through the website: https://novascotiagcp.com/participant-faq; the FAQ’s will be updated on a regular basis to ensure everyone benefits from the response to your question.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Applicants are responsible for collecting and collating their organization’s electricity account information including service address for the facilities and buildings, customer number, customer electricity account numbers, and identifying the account holders and those authorized to access your electricity account information. Once you have completed this exercise to the best of your ability, please reach out to Nova Scotia Power no later than February 16, 2024 to request that they verify your account information. This step is requiredfor your application to be deemed complete.
We encourage all interested Participants intending to apply to the Green Choice Program to contact Nova Scotia Power: greenchoice@nspower.cato let them know of your intention to apply to the Program. Please indicate if you are an authorized contact for the electricity accounts for your organization.
Updated templates for documentation to support grouping of organizations will be available on the Green Choice Program website in time for the applications to open. This may apply to governments, aggregate partnerships, franchises, or other commercial or industrial businesses where electricity accounts may be paid separately from the lead organization applying on behalf of the grouping of organizations.
Natural Resources and Renewables (NRR) are pleased to let you know that we anticipate being able to start accepting Participant applications for the Green Choice Program starting December 15, 2023. This program has been years in the making, and we appreciate your continued support and enthusiasm.
New or revised participant resources will be uploaded to the Green Choice Program website to support your application, on or before December 15, 2023 – including guides and forms, such as:
You can find existing resources for the Green Choice Program here: https://novascotiagcp.com/participant-resources
Additionally, as you have questions please feel free to submit them directly through the website: https://novascotiagcp.com/participant-faq; the FAQ’s will be updated on a regular basis to ensure everyone benefits from the response to your question.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Applicants are responsible for collecting and collating their organization’s electricity account information including service address for the facilities and buildings, customer number, customer electricity account numbers, and identifying the account holders and those authorized to access your electricity account information. Once you have completed this exercise to the best of your ability, please reach out to Nova Scotia Power no later than February 16, 2024 to request that they verify your account information. This step is requiredfor your application to be deemed complete.
We encourage all interested Participants intending to apply to the Green Choice Program to contact Nova Scotia Power: greenchoice@nspower.cato let them know of your intention to apply to the Program. Please indicate if you are an authorized contact for the electricity accounts for your organization. Due to privacy protection laws, if you are not currently an authorized contact for the electricity accounts included in your application for the Green Choice Program you must either.
Updated templates for documentation to support grouping of organizations will be available on the Green Choice Program website in time for the applications to open. This may apply to governments, aggregate partnerships, franchises, or other commercial or industrial businesses where electricity accounts may be paid separately from the lead organization applying on behalf of the grouping of organizations.
RFP/PPA Draft:
The Procurement Administrator (PA) is excited to announce that the Draft of the GCP Request for Proposals (RFP) and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) has been released and is available for feedback. All documents and instructions for the feedback process can be found on the Proponent Documents tab. The feedback window is open from today until 5 pm AST on Thursday, September 21st. Please note that the PA will only accept feedback using the proper feedback channels (completion of the feedback form, shared to novascotia@cohoclimate.com).
RFI
Furthermore, the Proponent Request for Information (RFI) is also now available on the Proponent Documents tab. Proponents are required to submit an RFI to be considered for the GCP RFP, and RFIs must be completed and sent to novascotia@cohoclimate.com by 5 pm AST on Thursday, September 7th, 2023.
Interconnection Request
Proponents must submit their Interconnection Requests to NSP by 5pm AST on Thursday, September 7th, 2023 and finalize their Interconnection Request (i.e., the request is deemed valid by the NSPSO) by Thursday, September 21st, 2023. Any questions regarding Interconnection Requests and IFS submission should be directed to Mohit Agarwal <Mohit.Agarwal@nspower.ca)>.
Proponent FAQ
As a reminder, proponents can submit questions to the PA to be included in the Proponent FAQ at any time. Additionally, the most updated GCP Proponent/Participant Timeline can be found on the Timeline & Terms tab.
If you were unable to attend the webinar or wish to reference it further, we have uploaded the webinar deck and recording to the “Proponent Resources” section of the GCP website.
The Procurement Administrator wants to remind interested Proponents that the Request for Proposals (RFP) Draft, Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Draft, and Proponent Request for Information (RFI) and associated feedback documents will be released on the “Proponent Documents” section of our website August 24th. Feedback will be solicited until September 21st. As always, the most updated timeline can be seen on the “timeline” tab of our website, and all updates will be shared to the “updates” tab of our website.
Lastly, please be advised to “contact us”. The PA will provide an updated “Proponent FAQ” in the coming weeks with responses to questions asked during or after the webinar.
The Procurement Administrator (PA) is writing to notify the GCP mailing list of updates regarding the Green Choice Program timeline. The PA has rescheduled the Proponent Webinar, the release of the Green Choice Program (GCP) Request for Proposals (RFP), Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Request for Information (RFI) and Interconnection Requests.
Webinar
The Proponent Webinar to discuss the RFP/PPA Drafts and Proponent bid submission timing will now be held on August 22nd, 2023 1:00pm – 2:30pm AST. If you have previously signed up for the webinar, the change should be reflected in your calendar. If you would like to register for the webinar, please do so here
If you are unable to attend, please share your questions for our Proponent FAQ here. The PA will record the webinar and upload it to the GCP website, alongside an updated Proponent FAQ on the “For Proponents” tab of the GCP website
RFP/PPA Draft
The draft of the RFP and PPA will be released to the “Proponent Documents” tab of the GCP website on August 24th, 2023. The RFP and PPA Draft feedback period will be between August 24th, 2023 – September 21st, 2023.
RFI
The RFI will be released alongside the RFP and PPA drafts, on August 24th 2023. Proponents are required to submit an RFI response. The RFI response deadline is now 5pm AST on September 7th, 2023.
Interconnection Requests
Proponents must now submit their Interconnection request to NSPI by 5pm AST September 7th, 2023 and finalize their Interconnection Request (i.e., the request is deemed valid by the NSPSO) by September 21st, 2023. Any questions regarding Interconnection request submission should be directed to Mohit Agarwal <Mohit.Agarwal@nspower.ca)>.
As a reminder, proponents can submit questions to the PA to be included in the Proponent FAQ at any time. Additionally, the most updated GCP Proponent/Participant Timeline can be found in the “About” section of our website. Please note that any further updates to the GCP timeline will be circulated via this mailing list.
One of the Minimum Criteria for participation in the RFP is the provision of Interconnection Feasibility Study (IFS) results from NSPI. In order to ensure that IFS results are received before the Proposal Submission Deadline (anticipated in Apr 2024), all Proponents who intend to bid are required to submit an Interconnection request by 5pm AST August 28th, 2023 and finalize their Interconnection Request (i.e., the request is deemed valid by the NSPSO) by September 11th, 2023. Any questions regarding IFS submission should be directed to Mohit Agarwal <Mohit.Agarwal@nspower.ca)>
The maximum Name Plate Capacity of a Project participating in the GCP is 150 MW. The Name Plate Capacity of the Project must be between 40% and 100% of the Name Plate Capacity in the Interconnection Feasibility Study as per the modifications permitted under section 4.4.1 of the GIP.
Furthermore, Proponents who intend to bid into the GCP are required to complete and return the Request for Information (RFI) by 5pm AST August 28th, 2023.
As a reminder, all updates regarding the GCP RFP can be found on the Updates tab of the GCP website. Please note that the Proposal Submission Deadline (and other key RFP milestones) are subject to change. Any changes to the anticipated timeline will be communicated via the GCP mailing list and the GCP website.
Thank you again for your interest in the Nova Scotia Green Choice Program. Ahead of the milestones listed above, please be reminded to submit any questionsyou may have for our FAQ and register for our Proponent webinar.
The Procurement Administrator (PA) is excited to announce that the Draft of the GCP Request for Proposals (RFP) and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is set to be released on August 14th. All documents and instructions for use will be made available on the Proponent Documents Tab of the GCP website.
The following information regarding the RFP and PPA is pertinent to interested GCP Proponents (a proponent is an independent power producer who is interested in bidding into the GCP RFP). If you are an interested GCP Participant (a participant is a public or private organization who is interested in subscribing their electricity consumption to the GCP), please refer to the “For Participants” section of our website for updates.
Please see the timeline and details below regarding RFP and PPA Draft Release:
Thursday, August 10th
Monday, August 14th
Thank you again for your interest in the Nova Scotia Green Choice Program. Ahead of the milestones listed above, please be reminded to submit any questions you may have for our FAQ and register for our Proponent webinar.
Proponent and Participant FAQ
The Procurement Administrator (PA) has uploaded a Participant FAQ and a Proponent FAQ to the GCP website. This document will be updated every few weeks as more questions are received. As a reminder, these questions are solicited through the “Contact Us” form on the GCP website as the PA is not engaging directly with potential Participants or Proponents currently. We kindly ask that you indicate whether your question is for our Participant FAQ or Proponent FAQ (or both) when submitting a question.
EOI Reminder
If you are interested in participating in the GCP, please complete the Participant Expression of Interest (EOI) by 5pm on May 12, 2023. The EOI is an interest form that will help the PA, NRR, and NSPI better understand GCP participation. This form is non-binding, so best estimates regarding your facility load are acceptable and encouraged. If you’d like more context on the EOI and GCP Participant process, please view the Participant Webinar and Participant Guide on the “Participant Resources” section of the GCP website.
GCP Participant Guide
The Procurement Administrator has published a draft Participant Guide for the GCP, attached to this email and viewable on the “Participant Resources” section of our website. The Participant Guide provides an overview of GCP Participant Eligibility and the Enrollment Process. Please note that the Participant Guide is currently a draftand will continue to be updated as program information becomes available. The Green Choice Program regulations are currently under review and subject to approval. As such, the information contained within that Participant Guide is subject to change.
EOI/FAQ Reminder
The Procurement Administrator would like to remind potential participants that the Participant Expression of Interest (EOI) remains open until May 12, 2023. The EOI is a non-binding interest form for potential GCP subscribers to share information regarding their organization’s needs and preferences.
Additionally, the Procurement Administrator would like to remind potential participants that questions about GCP participation are being addressed in an upcoming Participants FAQ to be published to our website. This FAQ will continue to be updated on our website throughout the procurement. Please submit any questions to be addressed in the FAQ by contacting us.
If you were unable to attend the webinar, please find the slides on our website. A recording of the webinar will be available shortly. We would also like to share the following updates:
For Participants:
A participant is a large corporate energy user or government institution who is interested in subscribing their electricity consumption to the GCP.
For Proponents:
A proponent is an independent power producer who is interested in bidding into the GCP Request for Proposals (RFP).
The Green Choice Program Website is for Participants who wish to submit an application to enroll in the GCP, and for Proponents who wish to bid renewable projects into the GCP RFP. Please view respective "For Participants" and "For Participants" tabs for more details.