AI-generated summary
· Application · 05/22/2026
IESO Nova Scotia filed the Terms of Reference for its inaugural 2026 Integrated Resource Plan with the NSEB, incorporating stakeholder feedback from 17 submissions and finalizing a multi-criteria scorecard weighted 80% on least cost.
AI summary
- IESO Nova Scotia filed its finalized 2026 Integrated Resource Plan IRP Terms of Reference on May 22, 2026, covering a 25-year study period (2029–2053) aligned with Nova Scotia's 2030 coal phase-out, 80% renewable electricity target, and federal Clean Electricity Regulations taking effect in 2035.
- The evaluation scorecard was revised from draft to final: least-cost (NPV of capacity expansion and production costs including end effects) was increased from 70% to 80% weight, while technology risk and economic growth were each reduced from 10% to 5%, and GHG reduction remains at 10%—changes made directly in response to affordability concerns raised by multiple intervenors including the Consumer Advocate, Eastward Energy, the Industrial Group, and Nova Scotia Power.
- Four pre-IRP studies underpin the process: (1) the Dunsky IRP Process Review; (2) the ELCC study co-led by IESO Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power with Energy And Environmental Economics; (3) a hybrid-heating study led by Net Zero Atlantic; and (4) a DSM Potential Study led by Efficiencyone—with the ELCC expected to conclude by May 2026.
- A Technical Working Group was constituted with 10 members including IESO Nova Scotia, NSEB, NSEB consultants, customer representative regulatory intervenors, Nova Scotia Power, EfficiencyOne, an Indigenous representative, and Net-Zero Atlantic filling the NGO seat; the IESO confirmed it has reached out to a Mi'kmaq organization regarding TWG participation following stakeholder calls for direct Indigenous representation.
- Key questions directed by the NSEB in M12412—including regional dispatch modeling with New Brunswick, ELCC portfolio integration, AMI-enabled demand response, and dynamic carbon cost linkage—are supplemented by three IESO-identified questions: confirming 2030 decarbonization resource needs, evaluating offshore wind economics for domestic use, and assessing Mersey Hydro redevelopment or decommissioning options.
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-1 Terms of Reference - Clean
- N-1-(i) Terms of Reference - Tracked Changes
- 102115 Letter IESO re: Terms of Reference
- 102117 Responses to Stakeholder TOR Feedback - IESO