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Nova Scotia Power generators tops in reliability

HALIFAX, Aug. 12, 2009 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Nova Scotia Power (NSPI) has among the most reliable electrical generation units in Canada, according to an independent industry analysis.

Four generators at the Point Tupper, Lingan and Tufts Cove power plants were ranked among the tops in their class in an annual review by the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA).

"We're very pleased with these results," said Rick Janega, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Nova Scotia Power. "These results are a tribute to the talented men and women at our generating stations and their dedication to maintaining our systems to ensure reliable service to Nova Scotians."

The CEA ranked the No. 2 generator at the Point Tupper generating station near Port Hawkesbury as the most reliable fossil fuel unit in Canada. Point Tupper No. 2 took top place for having both the highest "operating factor" and the lowest "incapability factor."

"Operating factor" measures the percentage of time an individual unit was running. For Point Tupper No. 2, that percentage was 98.9 %. The "incapability factor" measures the percentage of time a unit was unable to operate, not counting occasions when the unit was available but didn't operate because it wasn't needed. Point Tupper's percentage in this category was 1.5 %.

The No. 1 generator at the Lingan generating station, near New Waterford, placed sixth for incapability factor (4.5 %) and ninth for operating factor (95.5 %).

Among combustion turbine generators, the No. 4 and 5 units at Tufts Cove in Dartmouth placed first and second for lowest incapability factor (1.2 % and 1.3 %). In the operating factor category, Tufts Cove No. 5 was second and No. 4 was third (34.8 % and 31.5 %). Combustion turbines are generally only run during times of peak demand.

Point Tupper No. 2 is a 150 megawatt unit commissioned in 1973. It originally burned oil, but was converted to coal in 1987. Lingan No. 1 is a 150 megawatt coal unit that began service in 1979. The combustion turbines at Tufts Cove are both 50 megawatt units added in 2003 and 2004. They operate on natural gas.

The CEA report analyzed data from 2007, and included results for 80 fossil units and 29 combustion units. Copies of the ranking charts are available on request.

About Nova Scotia Power

Nova Scotia Power Inc. is the largest wholly-owned subsidiary of Emera Inc. (TSX-EMA), a diversified energy and services company. Nova Scotia Power provides more than 95% of the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power to 482,000 customers in the province. The company is focused on new technologies to enhance customer service and reliability, reduce emissions and add renewable energy. Nova Scotia Power has 1,700 employees and $3.5 billion in assets.

SOURCE: Nova Scotia Power Inc.

David Rodenhiser, Nova Scotia Power, (902) 428-6474, david.rodenhiser@nspower.ca