Topic:"Energy Efficiency Resource Assessment Model" in M12916

). The creation of the Independent Energy System Operator of Nova Scotia (IESO, IESO Nova Scotia) has implications for the continued ownership of these filing requirements, which are described herein. NS Power and IESO Nova Scotia have bee...

AI summary The document discusses the transition of responsibilities for the Load Forecast and 10-Year System Outlook (10YSO) reports between NS Power and the newly created IESO Nova Scotia. NS Power will prepare the Load Forecast report while IESO Nova Scotia will take over the 10YSO report, avoiding duplication of efforts. The 10YSO report is an annual assessment of system capacity and resource adequacy, reflecting progress toward 80% renewable energy and the phase-out of coal by 2030.

t [https://irp.nspower.ca/documents/pre-irp](https://irp.nspower.ca/documents/pre-irp-deliverables/)[deliverables/](https://irp.nspower.ca/documents/pre-irp-deliverables/) on behalf of NS Power and IESO Nova Scotia. [6](#page-8-1) The outp...

AI summary This section discusses the results of an ELCC study conducted on behalf of NS Power and IESO Nova Scotia, which updated ELCC factors for wind, solar, energy storage, and demand response. The study accounted for saturation effects and identified diversity benefits from combining different resources, contributing to firm capacity and resource adequacy.

3.2.2 Green Choice Program & Additional Energy Procurements The Green Choice Program (GCP) was established by the Government of Nova Scotia in April 2022 following amendments to the Electricity Act . [14](#page-12-1) In June 2025, two (2)...

AI summary The Green Choice Program (GCP) was established in 2022 and has procured 262 MW of wind energy from two projects expected to be operational by 2028. NS Power has identified the need for an additional 350 MW of wind generation to meet 2030 renewable energy targets, with a second procurement round announced in 2026. A further 1,200 MW of wind capacity is included in the 2030-2036 10-Year System Outlook.

Firm Resource Additions For energy limited resource additions (wind, solar, battery, demand response), the firm capacity contributions reflect the ELCC rather than installed capacity as discussed in Section [3.1.](#page-7-2) Wind projects...

AI summary The document discusses firm resource additions, focusing on wind, solar, battery, and demand response projects. It highlights the use of Effective Load Carrying Capacity (ELCC) for firm capacity contributions and mentions specific projects with established procurement timelines, as well as future procurements outlined in the 2023 Evergreen IRP.

Appendix A: RES Compliance Forecast Year 2027 2028 2030 Energy Requirements (GWh) Energy Requirement 11,951 12,142 12,284 Losses 837 850 860 Sales 11,114 11,292 11,424 RES (%) Requirement 40% 40% 80% RES Requirement (GWh) 4446 4517 9139 Re...

AI summary This appendix provides a forecast of RES (Renewable Electricity Standards) compliance from 2027 to 2030, outlining energy requirements, renewable energy sources, and compliance status. It shows a significant increase in renewable energy production, particularly from wind and solar sources, with a forecasted surplus in 2030.

Request IR – 4 - Reference: 2026 10-Year System Outlook Report, Appendix A: RES Compliance Forecast, page - 28. - Appendix A forecasts PH Biomass as 250 GWh in 2030, compared to 198 GWh in both 2028 - and 2029. NS Power notes that average...

AI summary The 2026 10-Year System Outlook Report forecasts PH Biomass generation to increase from 198 GWh in 2028 and 2029 to 250 GWh in 2030. NS Power notes that average generation over the past three years was approximately 163 GWh, with biomass fuel eligible for RES compliance averaging 142 GWh. The request asks for the assumptions underlying the increase in generation, including fuel usage and costs.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL Nova Scotia, as is the mandate of IESO Nova Scotia. The energy forecast in the 2025 Report only covered energy sales by NSPI, as was their mandate when they had responsibility for the 10-Year System Outlook. This differenc...

AI summary The 2026 Load Forecast Report highlights a shift in methodology compared to the 2025 Report, with increased net system requirements due to lower solar generation estimates and higher EV penetration. This contrasts with the 2025 Report, which treated customer migration and behind-the-meter solar as load modifiers rather than including them in the energy forecast.

- a) Please provide a comparison table showing the ELCC values from the 2025 Report and the 2026 Report. Provide the average and incremental ELCC values for all penetration levels available. - b) The 2026 Report cites to the June 2026 E3 E...

AI summary The request seeks a comparison of ELCC values from the 2025 and 2026 Reports, clarification on which ELCC study was used in the 2026 Report, and an explanation of how interactive effects of wind, solar, and battery storage were incorporated into the 2026 Resource Plan.

Response IR - 6 - a) The 95% ELCC value for hydro is based on the 2019 ELCC [1](#page-10-0) . The value for domestic hydro is shown on page 265/487 of the referenced PDF. E3 reviewed theas part of the 2026 ELCC study, and the values used i...

AI summary The response discusses the 95% ELCC value for hydro, noting its basis in the 2019 ELCC study and consistency with the 2026 10-Year System Outlook. Mersey Hydro is assigned a lower ELCC due to a higher forced outage rate, with the value based on the NERC EFOR stat and a five-year average from 2021 to 2025.

Response IR - 12 a-c) Please refer to the table below for a reconciliation of the additions and retirements presented in Table 3 of the 2026 Report against the additions and retirements presented in Figure 7 of the 2025 Report, including t...

AI summary The response refers to a reconciliation table comparing additions and retirements between the 2025 and 2026 reports, noting that no additions or retirements from the 2025 report were omitted in the 2026 report.

- average annual decrease of 0.2%.[1](#page-1-0) a. Please provide a comparison of the 2026 Load Forecast to the 2025 Load Forecast for both energy (NSR) and system peak demand. - b. Please identify the key drivers responsible for the chan...

AI summary The text requests a comparison of the 2026 Load Forecast to the 2025 Load Forecast, identifies key drivers of the shift from declining to growing energy forecasts, and asks for needed changes in resource buildout to accommodate increased load.

Request IR-04 Refer to the 2026 Report Section 3 – Existing Generation Resources, pages 7-8. - a. Please provide a comparison table showing the ELCC values from the 2025 Report and the 2026 Report. Provide the average and incremental ELCC...

AI summary The document requests clarification and additional information regarding the 2026 Report's use of Effective Load-Carrying Capacity (ELCC) values, specifically comparing data from the 2025 and 2026 reports, the basis of ELCC assumptions, and the reconciliation of ELCC values for wind resources at different penetration levels.

Request IR-06 Refer to the 2026 Report Section 3 – Existing Generation Resources, page 8, Table 2: 2026 Nova Scotia Generation Resources. - a. Please describe the methodology used to determine the ELCC value of hydro resources. - b. Please...

AI summary Request IR-06 seeks clarification on the methodology used to calculate the Effective Load-Carrying Capacity (ELCC) of hydro resources, specifically why Mersey System hydro has a lower ELCC than other NS Power hydro facilities, and the source of the 67% ELCC assumption for demand response resources.

October 22, 2026 Nova Scotia Energy Board M12916 IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and - IN THE MATTER OF NOVA SCOTIA INDEPENDENT ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR'S 2026 10-Year System Outlook Report Thank you for the opportunity to commen...

AI summary The Ecology Action Centre comments on the 2026 10-Year System Outlook Report, expressing concerns about inadequate renewable energy projections, planning margins, and transmission capacity. They argue that current plans fail to meet regulatory limits and urge revisions to resource plans.

3. RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY STANDARDS COMPLIANCE Responsibility for achieving the RES target of 80% renewable generation by 2030 now rests with IESO-NS.[13](#page-3-2) Appendix A to the 10YSO Report forecasts a surplus of only 3 GWh of renewa...

AI summary The responsibility for meeting the 80% renewable electricity target by 2030 lies with IESO-NS, which faces a limited compliance buffer. The second Green Choice Wind procurement is critical, with an Early Completion Incentive to ensure timely completion. The Industrial Group recommends that IESO-NS provide a status update in its next 10YSO filing regarding progress and compliance risks.

6. INDEPENDENT DEMAND AND RESOURCE ADEQUACY FORECASTING The More Access to Energy Act provides that one of IESO-NS's objects is to "forecast electricity demand and the adequacy and reliability of electricity resources for the Province for...

AI summary The document discusses the need for IESO-NS to develop independent demand and resource adequacy forecasting, as required by the More Access to Energy Act . It highlights concerns about continued reliance on NSPI's load forecasts and suggests that IESO-NS should report on its intentions and timeline for developing independent forecasting capabilities in its next 10YSO filing.

A. Scope of the Report As an inaugural report, IESO NS has re-assessed the content and scope of the report as compared to the reports that have been filed by NS Power. IESO NS explains: The Market Rules prescribe the provision of the 10 Ye...

AI summary IESO NS has re-assessed the scope of the 10 Year System Outlook report, merging or removing sections previously handled by NS Power. Sections like 'Generation Resources' and 'Transmission Planning' are now managed by NSPI, raising questions about coordination between IESO NS and NS Power.