by Dan Roscoe, President of Renewall
With over 22% of Nova Scotians now over the age of 65, demand for care is rising. So is the energy required to support it. Long-term care homes are among the most essential—and most energy-intensive—facilities in the province. Every day, they provide round-the-clock comfort, safety, and medical support to thousands of residents. That takes power. And right now, much of that power still comes from fossil fuels.
But that’s changing. By switching to a clean electricity provider like Renewall, care facilities across the province can cut emissions, reduce long-term costs, and most importantly, lead the way toward a healthier energy future.
If healthcare were a country, it would be the world’s fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, just above Japan. That surprisingly large impact is due to hospitals and long-term care facilities being heavy energy consumers. And in most places, that power is still coming from fossil fuels.
Here in Nova Scotia, we also have one of the oldest populations in Canada. That means demand for long-term care is growing, and so is the energy needed to support it. It also means we have an opportunity. By changing the source of that energy, we can significantly reduce emissions without changing how care is delivered.
Most of the emissions from healthcare facilities fall into what’s known as Scope 2: indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heating, and cooling. Globally, these account for about 12% of healthcare’s total footprint.
In long-term care homes, especially in colder, rural areas, heating and electricity aren’t optional. But with Nova Scotia’s grid still largely powered by fossil fuels, that essential energy use carries a higher carbon cost than it should.
Switching to clean electricity is one of the fastest and most effective ways to bring those emissions down.
Around the world, major healthcare providers are making this shift.
In the UK, the NHS has committed to becoming the world’s first net-zero national health system. Their plan includes shifting to 100% renewable electricity, decarbonizing their supply chain, and integrating sustainability into clinical care. The goal isn’t just to reduce emissions—it’s to improve patient outcomes by reducing air pollution and creating healthier environments for staff and patients alike.
In the U.S., Kaiser Permanente—one of the largest nonprofit healthcare systems—has already reached carbon neutrality. They now power all of their hospitals, clinics, and administrative buildings with renewable energy and have invested in solar infrastructure, electric vehicle fleets, and energy-efficient building retrofits.
These aren’t symbolic actions. They reflect a growing understanding that healthcare and climate are directly linked. Burning fossil fuels contributes to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic health issues. A clean energy system doesn’t just lower emissions—it reduces hospital admissions, improves public health, and makes healthcare systems more resilient in the face of climate-driven disruptions like extreme weather and power outages.
For healthcare providers, switching to renewables isn’t just good policy—it’s part of their core mission: protecting and improving life. Nova Scotia’s healthcare sector can do the same, starting with the electricity it uses every day.
Nova Scotia is home to 84 licensed long-term care homes, serving over 8,000 residents. On a per capita basis, we have one of the highest long-term care bed counts in Canada. These facilities run 24/7 and rely on stable, affordable power to do their jobs well.
Yet because the provincial grid is still largely fossil-based, many of these homes carry more emissions than they need to. With Renewall, care homes can reduce those emissions immediately—without retrofits or upgrades. Our electricity is delivered through the same grid, and if a facility has a smart meter, they’re ready to switch as power becomes available in 2026.
Nova Scotia has committed to sourcing 80% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Canada’s goal is a net-zero grid by 2035. Hitting these targets will take participation from every sector—including healthcare.
Long-term care homes are already built for the long term. They plan years ahead. They make decisions based on values like stability, safety, and trust. Those same values make them ideal leaders in the clean energy transition.
By switching to clean, local electricity, they can support healthier outcomes—not just for residents, but for the province as a whole.
Leading by Example
At Renewall, we’re building a reliable clean energy provider for Nova Scotians who are ready to be part of something better. For care facilities, that means gaining cost predictability and reducing environmental impact—without compromising service.
This is a chance to lead by doing something simple and practical: switching the electricity that powers daily operations.
The future of care in Nova Scotia will require smart planning, compassion, and the right infrastructure. Clean energy should be part of that plan.
It’s time to make the switch. Let’s show what care looks like in a cleaner energy future.
Dan Roscoe is the President of Renewall Energy, a renewable energy provider, and CEO of Roswall Development, a renewable energy developer, both based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His work is focused on building the infrastructure for a cleaner, smarter energy future across Canada and beyond.
