E-1Q1 2026 DSM Report
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Q1 2026 Demand Side Management Report 2026 Quarter One Activity for the period January 1 – March 31, 2026 Efficiency Nova Scotia is a franchise awarded by the Province of Nova Scotia to EfficiencyOne, an independent not-for-profit corporat...
AI summary The Q1 2026 Demand Side Management Report outlines Efficiency Nova Scotia's activities from January to March 2026, highlighting its franchise arrangement with EfficiencyOne, a not-for-profit corporation tasked with reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency in Nova Scotia.
1. SUMMARY - The Q1 2026 report summarizes EfficiencyOne's (E1) Demand Side Management (DSM) results - and activities as administrator and operator of the Efficiency Nova Scotia (ENS) franchise for the - period of January 1 to March 31, 20...
AI summary EfficiencyOne's Q1 2026 DSM report details compliance with the 2023-2026 Plan approved by NSUARB and NSEB, including $236.8M investment, 4 performance targets (≥90% compliance), and Q1 results: 29.8 GWh energy savings, 5.3 MW peak demand savings, and $14.2M portfolio expenditure. The 2026 extension was legislated with $63.75M investment.
Table 1: 2023-2026 DSM Plan Period Forecast 2023-2026 D SM Plan Per iod Forecast Plan Year Er nergy Saving: (GWh) s Demand Savings (MW) Ava ilable Capac (MW) iity Affordable Affordable and Mi'l avings appli Single-fami Multi-famil Kmaw Hom...
AI summary This table presents the 2023-2026 DSM Plan Period Forecast, including energy savings, demand savings, available capacity, affordable savings, and expenditures. It shows the variance between the plan as approved and the results/forecast for each year, along with cumulative data and percentages of targets achieved.
2.2 2026 Mid-course adjustment - 26 E1's mid-course adjustment projects that E1 will achieve 109.6 GWh of energy savings, 21.6 MW - of net peak demand savings, 15.7 MW of available capacity, and 4.8 GWh of net energy savings applicable to...
AI summary E1's 2026 mid-course adjustment projects 109.6 GWh energy savings and 21.6 MW peak demand savings, with investments of $62.8 million across affordable housing and Mi'kmaw programs. These figures are slightly lower than the 2026 Plan as Approved, reflecting E1's management of 2023-2026 DSM Plan targets as the final year approaches.
1 Table 2: 2026 Plan as Approved, 2026 Mid-course Adjustment, and Q1 Results 2026 Plan as Approved 2026 Mid-Course Adjustments Q1 and YTD 2026 Results Program Status First-Year Energy Lifetime Energy Peak EE Demand Investment Available Cap...
AI summary This table presents the 2026 Plan as Approved, the 2026 Mid-course Adjustment, and Q1 Results for Energy Efficiency (EE) Programs, including Efficient Product Rebates. It outlines first-year and lifetime energy savings, peak demand savings, investment, and program status metrics.
6 Program status compares the 2026 mid-course adjustment to 2026 Plan as Approved targets. Green denotes an anticipated variance of less than 10% below, yellow denotes an anticipated variance of 7 10% to 25% below, and red denotes an antic...
AI summary The text discusses the status of energy efficiency programs, highlighting anticipated variances from 2026 targets and the end of the New Home Construction program component in December 2023. It also notes participation by low-income customers and demand response results for the 2025/2026 peak period.
3.1 Participation - Q1 participation results are provided in [Table 3](#page-9-1) as compared to the projected participation - uptake in the 2026 Plan as Approved. Results provide insight into current trends within program - components. -...
AI summary Q1 participation in programs like Affordable Single-family Homes and Home Energy Assessment exceeded projections due to project management changes and federal grant completion. Custom program participation remained low, while BNI Demand Response participation fell short of targets, though Residential Demand Response exceeded expectations.
5 Table 3: Participation Rates Participation 2026 Plan as Approved Q1 2026 Results YTD 2026 Results YTD Results as % of 2026 Plan as Approved Participation Unit Efficient Product Rebates 33,682 9,055 9,055 27% Units rebated Instant Savings...
AI summary Table 3 presents participation rates for various energy efficiency and demand response programs under the 2026 DSM Extension Plan. It compares approved targets with actual results for Q1 2026 and year-to-date (YTD) 2026. Some programs have achieved significant portions of their targets, while others, such as residential behavior, have not met any targets.
1 Table 4: Unit Cost First-Year Unit Cost 2026 Plan as Approved ($/kWh) 2026 MCA ($/kWh) 2026 Actual YTD ($/kWh) Efficient Product Rebates 0.52 0.34 0.55 Existing Residential 0.65 0.83 0.60 Residential Residential Subtotal 0.64 0.76 0.60 L...
AI summary Table 4 outlines the unit costs for various energy efficiency programs in Nova Scotia, comparing the 2026 Plan as Approved, the 2026 MCA, and actual YTD costs. It highlights differences in cost across residential, low-income, and BNI programs, with references to the 2026 DSM Extension Application and associated matter number M12249.
1 4. RESIDENTIAL SECTOR - 2 E1's Residential sector consists of the following two programs: - 3 Efficient Product Rebates; and - 4 Existing Residential - 5 Note: The New Home Construction program component under the New Residential program...
AI summary E1's Residential sector includes Efficient Product Rebates and Existing Residential programs. The New Home Construction program ended in 2023 per the 2023-2025 DSM Plan. Q1 achieved 7.7 GWh energy savings and 1.9 MW peak demand savings, with mid-course adjustments noted for rebate program metrics.
RESIDENTIAL EFFICIENT PRODUCT REBATES (2026) - o Net-to-gross ratios that were updated in the 2025 Evaluation and applied to non-lighting products has resulted in reduced demand savings. - Expenditures in the mid-course adjustment are lowe...
AI summary The 2026 Residential Efficient Product Rebates program experienced reduced demand savings due to updated 2025 net-to-gross ratios. Expenditures in the mid-course adjustment are lower than the 2026 Plan as Approved, primarily from removing high-rebate, low-savings product categories and process improvements by the program team and delivery agent.
2 4.2 Existing Residential 1 - 3 The Existing Residential program consists of the following program components: - 4 Affordable Multifamily Housing and Non-Profit Organizations; - 5 Affordable Single-family Homes; - 6 Efficient Product Inst...
AI summary The Existing Residential program includes components such as Affordable Multifamily Housing, Affordable Single-family Homes, Efficient Product Installation, Home Energy Assessment, the Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project, and Residential Behaviour. The document was filed on May 25, 2026.
3 Table 6: Existing Residential EXISTING RESIDENTIAL (2026) Existing Residential Energy Savings (GWh) Demand Savings (MW) Expenditure ($ million) Unit Cost ($/kWh) 2026 Plan as Approved 35.2 4.3 23.0 0.65 2026 MCA 26.9 8.8 22.3 0.83 Q1 202...
AI summary The 2026 mid-course adjusted energy savings for Existing Residential are lower than the original 2026 Plan due to the Residential Behaviour program not delivering expected savings. However, increased savings from Home Energy Assessment participants are partially offsetting this shortfall and increasing demand savings.
EXISTING RESIDENTIAL (2026) • Residential Behaviour launched in Q2 2024. Through personalized and timely energy-use feedback and analysis, customers are empowered to make informed choices about their energy consumption behaviours and direc...
AI summary The Residential Behaviour program, launched in Q2 2024, provides customers with personalized energy-use feedback and analysis via a customer portal and AMI-enabled home energy reports. Participants receive paper and electronic reports each billing cycle to support informed energy consumption decisions and direct them to E1 programs.
Affordable Multifamily Housing Highlights - Several changes were introduced to the Affordable Multifamily Housing program component in Q1 to help address the impacts on project recruitment and completion rates being felt since a provincial...
AI summary The Affordable Multifamily Housing program underwent changes in Q1 2025 to address recruitment and completion challenges after provincial DSM incentive top-ups ended. Key adjustments include raising eligible unit costs to $1.50/kWh for residential projects and $0.65/kWh for non-profits, maintaining rebate caps at $150,000 per project, and revising operating agreement terms, rental rates, and regional tiers.
Residential Behaviour Highlights - The Residential Behaviour program component remained paused throughout Q1, as NS Power customer data continued to be unavailable to generate customer insights and reports. Customer data has been unavailab...
AI summary The Residential Behaviour program was paused since May 2025 due to NS Power's unavailable customer data following a 2025 cybersecurity incident. E1 assumes no 2026 energy savings from the paused program as data availability remains uncertain.
2 5. BUSINESS, NON-PROFIT AND INSTITUTIONAL (BNI) SECTOR - 3 The BNI sector consists of the following three programs: - 4 Efficient Product Rebates; - 5 Custom Incentives; and - 6 Direct Installation. 1 7 - 8 Energy Manager Placements - 9...
AI summary The BNI sector includes Efficient Product Rebates, Custom Incentives, and Direct Installation programs. E1's Energy Manager Placements identified DSM opportunities, with four partially funded positions in Q1 2026. The sector achieved 22.1 GWh of incremental savings and 3.4 MW peak demand savings in Q1, with variances in Direct Installation demand savings explained in tables 7-9.
CUSTOM INCENTIVES (2026) performance and help participants achieve continuous energy savings. (Note: E1 merged the Energy Management Information Systems offering with the Strategic Energy Management program component as outlined in the 202...
AI summary E1 merged Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS) with Strategic Energy Management as outlined in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan. EMIS provides institutional and industrial participants with tools to use metered energy data for process decisions, now offered to Strategic Energy Management customers.
Strategic Energy Management Highlights - Strategic Energy Management supported 12 customers in Q1. - No customers claimed savings in Q1. Most claims are expected in Q4, as is historically the case in this program component.
AI summary Strategic Energy Management supported 12 customers in Q1, but no savings claims were submitted during this period. Most claims are anticipated in Q4, aligning with historical trends for this program component.
2 6. DEMAND RESPONSE - 3 E1 launched its Demand Response program in 2023, an initiative outlined in the 2023-2025 Plan - 4 and the 2026 DSM Extension, with a Performance Target at the end of 2026 of 16.3 MW of - 5 available capacity. It is...
AI summary E1 launched its Demand Response program in 2023 as part of the 2023-2025 Plan and the 2026 DSM Extension, aiming for 16.3 MW of available capacity by 2026. The program includes the BNI Demand Response component (Smart Synergy) and the Residential Demand Response component (Eco Shift), with eligible devices such as smart thermostats and EV chargers. E1 expects to meet the 90 percent compliance threshold for the available capacity target.
19 Table 10: Demand Response DEMAND RESPONSE (2026) Demand Response Available Capacity (MW) Expenditure ($ million) 2026 Plan as Approved 16.3 6.5 2026 MCA 15.7 6.2 Date Filed: May 25, 2026 Page 19 of 29 DEMAND RESPONSE (2026) Q1 2026 Actu...
AI summary Table 10 shows the demand response capacity and expenditures for 2026, including the mid-course adjustment (MCA) and actual results for Q1 2026. The MCA capacity of 15.7 MW meets the compliance threshold for the 2023-2026 performance target but is slightly below the approved 2026 plan. This represents progress compared to 2025 results.
Residential Demand Response Highlights
AI summary The document heading 'Residential Demand Response Highlights' indicates a section focusing on residential demand response initiatives, likely discussing programs, participant engagement, and regulatory considerations related to energy efficiency and load management in Nova Scotia.
2025/2026 season results - Tracked results show the Residential Demand Response program component achieved approximately 2.7 MW of available capacity, driven primarily by smart thermostats and domestic hot water direct load controllers. Th...
AI summary The 2025/2026 season results highlight the Residential Demand Response program achieving 2.7 MW of capacity, driven by smart thermostats (80%) and domestic hot water controllers. Participation rates were 56%, with challenges in performance variability and declining engagement during events. EV telematics and battery storage contributed minimally.
DEMAND RESPONSE (2026) • Given current performance trends, and in alignment with E1's 2027-2031 DSM Plan application currently being considered by the Nova Scotia Energy Board, the Residential Demand Response team has begun to shift its fo...
AI summary The Residential Demand Response team is shifting focus from growth to optimization, aligning with E1's 2027-2031 DSM Plan application under review by the Nova Scotia Energy Board, aiming to maintain portfolio size while boosting participation rates and event performance.
2 7. INCENTIVE REPORTING - 3 In the NSUARB's Decision on the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, E1 was directed to "identify any instances - 4 where E1 has adjusted the per unit incentive amount for a measure by more than 10% from the - 5 amount included...
AI summary The NSUARB directed E1 to report instances where per-unit incentive amounts for DSM measures were adjusted by more than 10% from planned levels, requiring explanations in quarterly reports. In Q1, E1 adjusted incentives in the Instant Savings and Affordable Multifamily Housing programs. Reference: M10473.
Efficiency Project 2026 Plan as Ap proved 2026 Mid-Course Adjustment Q1 and YTD 2026 Results First-Year Energy Lifetime Energy Peak Demand Participation First-Year Energy Energy Energy Den Demand Investment First-Year Energy Savings (GWh)...
AI summary The Efficiency Project table outlines energy savings and participation metrics for various programs in 2026, including Affordable Multi-family Housing, Affordable Single-family Homes, and the Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project. The data reflects both projected and actual results, including energy savings, peak demand reductions, and expenditures.
Table 12: Results Applicable to Low-Income and Underserved Communities, Non-Targeted Program Components · ubic IZ. Nesalts Applican ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, LOW . c and O i i de i i .c. vc. u CO , . •••• . a. b. , P. a. 7111...
AI summary The table presents results related to low-income and underserved communities under non-targeted program components, including energy savings, participation numbers, and investment figures. It includes data for residential, business, and BNI programs and references the 2026 DSM Extension Application (M11249).
Innovation - The heat pump water heater market transformation pilot team worked with the Instant Savings program component team to launch a mid-stream heat pump water heater rebate that allows contractors to access heat pump water heater r...
AI summary The text discusses two innovation initiatives: a heat pump water heater market transformation pilot and a load flexibility pilot testing new demand response events. The pilots involve collaboration with E1, training sessions, and promoting Nova Scotia to supply chain partners. The load flexibility pilot ran outside E1's typical demand response season and tested renewable and price-based event types.
10. CONCLUSION - At the end of Q1 2026, E1's year-to-date results were 29.8 GWh of net incremental energy - savings, 5.3 MW of net peak demand savings, 1.4 GWh of net energy savings applicable to - Affordable Multi-family Housing, Affordab...
AI summary E1 achieved 29.8 GWh of net incremental energy savings and 5.3 MW of peak demand savings by Q1 2026, with specific programs targeting Affordable Multi-family Housing, Affordable Single-family Homes, and the Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project. The Q2 DSM Report will be submitted to stakeholders and the Nova Scotia Energy Board on August 25, 2026.
EfficiencyOne Q1 2026 DSM Quarterly Report
AI summary The document is EfficiencyOne's Q1 2026 Demand Side Management (DSM) quarterly report, outlining progress and performance metrics for energy efficiency and demand response initiatives in Nova Scotia.
1. RATE CLASS METHODOLOGY As part of efforts to enhance rate class spending reporting, E1 introduced a new rate class allocation methodology in 2025, which was used to calculate the 2026 DSM Plan rate class allocations, and the 2026 mid-co...
AI summary E1 introduced a 2025 rate class allocation methodology for the 2026 DSM Plan and mid-course adjustments, using historical spending percentages. Industrial classes were excluded from Education and Outreach costs. The methodology aligns with NSUARB Order M06733 and the Public Utilities Act.
13 Table 1: 2026 Rate Class Allocations 2026 Expenditures by Rate Class Rate Class 2026 Plan as Approved ($ million) 2026 MCA ($ million) Variance (MCA to Plan) YTD Actual 2026 Expenditures ($ million) YTD Actual Expenditures as % of 2026...
AI summary Table 1 provides a breakdown of 2026 rate class allocations, showing expenditures approved, mid-course adjustments (MCA), variances, and year-to-date actual expenditures. The data highlights the percentage of planned and MCA expenditures that have been spent so far, with some rate classes showing significant variances.
2.1.2 Medium industrial Mid-course adjusted expenditures for the medium industrial rate class are higher than the 2026 Plan as Approved as medium industrial participation in the BNI Demand Response program component continues to increase y...
AI summary Mid-course adjusted expenditures for medium industrial rate class exceed the 2026 Plan due to rising participation in the BNI Demand Response program. Available capacity achieved by participants increased from 3.3 MW in 2025 to 7.0 MW in 2026, driving higher incentive payments tied to capacity performance.
1 2.1.4 Unmetered - 2 The unmetered rate class had a small amount of participation in 2022 and no participation in - 3 E1's programs over the last three years. As a result, a small amount of participation was assumed - 4 in the 2026 Plan (...
AI summary The unmetered rate class showed minimal participation in E1's programs over three years, leading to assumptions in the 2026 Plan (based on 2022-2024 data) and a mid-course adjustment assuming no participation (based on 2023-2025 data). This highlights challenges in DSM planning and program engagement.
1 Table 3: 2026 Plan and Mid-course adjustment allocations by energy savings, demand savings,
AI summary The table outlines 2026 Plan and Mid-course Adjustment (MCA) allocations for energy and demand savings, though specific data or analysis within the chunk is not provided.
2 available capacity, and investment 2026 Plan as Approved 2026 Mid-course Adjustment Rate Class First-Year Energy Savings (GWh) Peak EE Demand Savings (MW) Available capacity (MW) Investment ($ million) First-Year Energy Savings (GWh) Pea...
AI summary The document presents a comparison between the 2026 Plan as Approved and the 2026 Mid-course Adjustment, highlighting energy savings, peak demand savings, available capacity, and investment across various rate classes. The data includes figures for residential, general, industrial, and municipal sectors, with a reference to the 2026 DSM Extension Application (M12249).
9 Table 6: BNI Efficient Product Rebates Rate Class Results BNI Efficient Product Rebates (2026 YTD) First-Year Energy Savings (GWh) Lifetime Energy Savings (GWh) Peak Demand Savings (MW) Expenditures ($ million) Units Rebated (#) Resident...
AI summary Table 6 presents the results of the BNI Efficient Product Rebates program for various rate classes in 2026, including energy and demand savings, expenditures, and the number of units rebated. The data shows the program's impact across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
4 Custom Incentives includes the Custom program component and Strategic Energy Management program component. Strategic Energy 5 Management participants are each counted once, but their participation is ongoing throughout the year. 6 \ Cust...
AI summary The Custom Incentives program includes both the Custom program component and the Strategic Energy Management program component. Strategic Energy Management participants are counted once but participate throughout the year. The Custom Incentives program also includes some residential customers such as farms, community groups, rental buildings, and condominiums.
10 Table 8: Direct Installation Rate Class Results Direct Installation (2026 YTD) First-Year Energy Savings (GWh) Lifetime Energy Savings (GWh) Peak Demand Savings (MW) Expenditures ($ million) Products (#) Residential/Charitable (2,3,4) 0...
AI summary Table 8 presents the results of the Direct Installation Rate Class for 2026, showing energy and demand savings, expenditures, and the number of products installed across various rate classes in Nova Scotia. The data highlights energy efficiency outcomes and associated costs.
13 Direct Installation includes the Small Business Energy Solutions program component. 14 9 Date Filed: May 25, 2026 Page 8 of 11 - 1 Table 8 provides a breakdown of year-to-date expenditures by rate class within the Demand - 2 Response pr...
AI summary The document references a breakdown of year-to-date expenditures by rate class within the Demand Response program and mentions the inclusion of the Small Business Energy Solutions program component under Direct Installation.
4. 2023-2026 DSM PLAN PERIOD BY RATE CLASS Table 9 provides actual expenditures by rate class for 2023, 2024, and 2025, and the variances between the Plan and actuals. The table also provides the 2026 Plan as Approved and 2026 mid- course...
AI summary The 2023-2026 DSM Plan's actual expenditures by rate class show variances from the original plan, driven by participation in programs like BNI Demand Response and Custom Incentives. Medium industrial spending increased due to higher-than-expected participation, while large general and small industrial spending decreased due to lower participation. Large industrial spending rose initially but aligned with the plan later, with 2026 mid-course adjustments showing reduced investment.
1 Table 9: 2023-2026 DSM Plan Period Expenditures by Rate Class 2023 2024 2025 2026 2023-2026 Plan Rate Class Plan as Approved 2023 ($ million) Actual 2023 ($ million) Variance (Actual to Plan) Plan as Approved 2024 ($ million) Actual 2024...
AI summary Table 9 presents the 2023-2026 DSM Plan Period Expenditures by Rate Class, comparing planned and actual expenditures. It shows variances for each year and rate class, with overall expenditures slightly below the approved plan. The data is sourced from the 2023-2025 DSM Resource Plan Compliance filing and the NSUARB approval date.
Table 1 Update on Implementation of 2023-2024 Evaluation Recommendations Year Evaluation/ Verification Recommendation Text Comments Expected Period of Completion 2024 Evaluation Investigate the impact of increasing modelling incentives (th...
AI summary This table discusses the deferral of a recommendation to investigate the impact of increasing modelling incentives on the service, pending the NSEB's decision on E1's 2027-2031 DSM Plan. E1 argues that its current maximum modelling incentive is aligned with practices in other jurisdictions.