Nova Scotia Power files 2026-2027 General Rate Application seeking average rate increases of 1.8% and 2.4% to fund reliability, decarbonization, and rising operating costs.

M12451 · Nova Scotia Power Inc. - 2026 General Rate Application (GRA)

AI summary

Nova Scotia Power Incorporated requests approval for approximately $2.0 billion in annual revenue requirements for 2026 and 2027, translating to average system-wide rate increases of 1.8% and 2.4% respectively, with residential customers seeing somewhat lower increases; the application was filed September 2025 following a collaborative process with customer representatives.
The Operating Expenses filing documents significant OM&G cost overruns relative to the 2023-2024 GRA forecast, driven by actual inflation averaging 4.6% annually versus the 2.0–2.7% assumed, population growth of 2.2% annually, a shortage of Power Line Technicians, increased cybersecurity requirements, cloud migration shifting IT costs from capital to operating, and storm restoration expenses; the 2024 Energy Delivery OM&G of $118.7 million exceeded the $94.6 million GRA forecast.
The Capital Expenditures and Rate Base sections show NS Power's average capital assets have grown materially due to investments in grid reliability, renewable energy integration, and regulatory compliance, including a $1.3 billion Five-Year Reliability Plan filed with the Board in December 2024; the application also addresses depreciation study updates, decommissioning cost methodology, and the Decarbonization Deferral Account.
The Climate Adaptation submission includes a 54-page Climate Adaptation Plan (Appendix 3B) and a 38-page Wildfire Mitigation Plan (Appendix 3C), both filed in response to prior Board directives; these documents outline NS Power's eight-step adaptation framework, physical climate risk assessments using RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, a proactive Public Safety Power Shutoff protocol, and infrastructure hardening measures such as covered conductor installation and pole replacement programs.
On Fuel Cost Adjustment, NS Power seeks approval for new Base Cost of Fuel amounts for 2026 and 2027 (requesting a 2.3% FAM rate increase in 2026 and a 1.7% reduction in 2027), proposes updates to the FAM Plan of Administration including addition of previously rejected allowable cost categories and removal of the FAM Regulatory Calendar appendix, and continues a fuel hedging program targeting 50–100% coverage of forecast fuel costs to reduce customer rate volatility.

Disclaimer: This summary was generated by AI from the filings it describes. We take care to make it accurate, but errors are possible - and it isn't advice. Only the filings themselves are the record: if you're relying on something here, confirm it against the source documents or the Nova Scotia Energy Board's own record. Full disclaimer →

What was filed

Documents filed on this day

N-16 2026-2027 GRA RB 01-16 - Redacted exhibits
N-16(C) 2026-2027 GRA RB 01-16 - Confidential exhibits
N-16(C)-(i) 2026-2027 GRA RB-01 Att 1 - Excel - Confidential exhibits
N-16(C)-(ii) 2026-2027 GRA-RB-02-RB- 16 Att 1 - Excel - Confidential exhibits
N-17(C) 2026-2027 GRA SR-01-SR-04 - Confidential exhibits
N-17(C)-(i) 2026-2027 GRA SR- Excel Attachments - Confidential exhibits
N-18(C) 2026-2027 GRA Appendix 7E - Executive Compensation Report - Board Confidential Board Only exhibits
N-2 Notice of Application 2026-2027 - GRA exhibits
N-3 Direct Evidence - General Rate Application exhibits
N-4 2026-2027 GRA PR 01-03 - Proposed Rates (Tariffs) exhibits
N-5 2026-2027 GRA Appendix 1-6 - Redacted exhibits
N-5(C) 2026-2027 GRA Appendix 1-6 - Confidential exhibits
N-6 2026-2027 GRA Appendix 7A-E - Redacted exhibits
N-6(C) 2026-2027 GRA Appendix 7A-E - Confidential exhibits
N-6(C)-(ii) 2026-2027 GRA Appendix 07C Operating Costs Line-by-Line - Excel - Confidential exhibits
N-6(C)-(iii) 2026-2027 GRA Appendix 07D Five-year OM&G Forecast - Excel - Confidential exhibits