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N.B. Power plans to contract ProEnergy to build a 500-megawatt gas and diesel-fired power plant near Centre Village, New Brunswick. This billion-dollar project, discussed by N.B.

Power VP Brad Coady at a Tantramar council meeting, aims to integrate renewable energy and replace coal generation. Despite extensive site searches, the Centre Village location was chosen due to fewer infrastructure hurdles and quicker regulatory timelines.

The project has faced community opposition, with the Tantramar council recently passing a motion to suspend it until discussions with provincial leaders occur. A public meeting with N.B. Power is scheduled for January 14.

Concerns include potential impacts on local water supplies, with testing ongoing. Coady noted the plant would operate only about seven percent of the time, relying on light diesel when natural gas is unavailable.