NB Power and NS Power cooperate, Efficiency NB merges
April 10, 2015 | By HPAC Magazine
Utilities team up to create huge savings; energy efficiency unit to deliver programs.
NB Power and NS Power are piloting a model of cooperative dispatchwork to deliver electricity to both provinces. The pilot, which began early testing in January, has recently expanded successfully and is planned for the next 12 months. The time-frame for cost savings has been studied and has an estimated value of up to $20 million per year between 2015 and 2022 depending on a variety of factors including weather and fuel costs.
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia generating stations will be dispatched as one fleet using the current tie-line capacity with no additional investment. The project builds on a reserve sharing agreement already in place between the two utilities, whereby the required “back-up” generation for both provinces is a shared responsibility resulting in significant regional cost savings.
In other utility news, the New Brunswick government has merged Efficiency NB with NB Power. The move took effect April 1. A new energy efficiency unit will be established within NB Power to continue offering programs previously provided by Efficiency NB, including the Energy Smart Commercial Buildings Retrofit Program and NB Power’s Smart Habits rebate program. NB Power will also launch a home energy retrofit program in May.
In addition, the provincial government will continue to fund the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program, which will also be delivered by NB Power. The provincial government is also moving toward a ratepayer-based funding model with oversight provided by the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board.
