Competition
Nova Scotia’s electricity marketplace is changing. Less electricity is being provided by Nova Scotia Power (NSPI) than in the past, and more of our power is generated using renewable sources of energy, such as wind. Soon, we’ll have even more clean energy options – from hydro, solar and tidal. Independent Power Producers (IPPs) supply a lot of the province’s renewable energy to Nova Scotia Power.
In addition to NSPI, the province has six municipal utilities that own and operate their own electric grids, buying or generating electricity and selling directly to their customers. They are Antigonish, Berwick, Canso, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay and Riverport.
Some communities, businesses and individuals even produce their own renewable electricity, and sell what they don’t use to NSPI through enhanced net metering. Enhanced net metering allows the same people to draw from the grid when they are unable to produce the energy they need.
The Electricity Reform (2013) Act cleared the way for more competition and in 2016, the new Renewables to Retail market officially opens. This means that renewable electricity providers can sell directly to Nova Scotia businesses and consumers.
A Regional Approach
Nova Scotia is rich in potential clean, renewable energy sources. And so are other Atlantic Canadian provinces.
By working together, we can develop those sources, bring them to reality, and share the benefits with each other. This collaboration is key to helping us reach our cleaner energy targets and build our energy economy.
In 2009, the Atlantic Energy Gateway was established to bring together provincial governments in the Atlantic region, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to collaborate on regional energy issues. Read the eight key studies by the AEG show significant potential benefits from collaboration here.
Atlantic Energy Gateway
Work through the Atlantic Energy Gateway is on-going, and has expanded to include a focus on other energy issues which affect the Atlantic region as a whole. Most recently this has included discussions on how we can best work to ensure continued access to competitively priced natural gas for consumers.
Our electricity plan will ensure Nova Scotians have access to a reliable electricity system now and for years to come, even when that electricity comes from a neighbouring province.
For example, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are partnering in the development of the Lower Churchill Project, including the Maritime Link. As a result of the project, Nova Scotia families and businesses could see noticeable economic, environmental, and social benefits. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) reviewed the project in 2013.
To learn more about …
- competition, read Nova Scotia’s Electricity Plan (PDF 2.2 MB)
- Renewable to Retail, visit Competitively Sourced Commercial Renewables
- the Maritime Link, visit Maritime Link/Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Project