Topic:"Regulatory Oversight" in M12247

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 Request IR-1: 10 11 • These units are not subject to the AEL if they meet the following 12 criteria: 13 • Meet certain progression milestones by the end of 2025 14 • Have started construction by the end of 2027 15 16 • A...

AI summary The text discusses eligibility criteria for new fast-acting generation and coal plant conversions under the Clean Electricity Regulations (CER). It outlines progression milestones by 2025 and construction timelines by 2027 and 2035. The response clarifies that only new natural gas-fueled combustion turbines may qualify as planned units, while conversions are not eligible.

M12247 – Nova Scotia Power Inc. – 2025 Evergreen IRP Action Plan and Roadmap Update On April 30, 2025, NS Power filed its 2025 Evergreen Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Action Plan and Roadmap Update (IRP Update). This is the fourth annual...

AI summary NS Power filed its 2025 Evergreen IRP Action Plan Update, detailing changes to electricity planning and responding to Board inquiries. The proceeding involved a paper hearing with submissions from stakeholders. Bill 404, the Energy Reform (2024) Act, established the NSIESO, transferring system operator responsibilities from NS Power to the new entity.

r NSIESO to have accurate, Nova Scotia-specific cost estimates to conduct a new IRP, and NS Power is currently the entity best situated to develop such estimates at this time. [SBA comments, pp. 1-3] The Board recognizes that the integrate...

AI summary The Board acknowledges NS Power's current role in developing IRP cost estimates but emphasizes that the NSIESO now oversees the IRP process under the More Access to Energy Act. NS Power should continue providing non-duplicative inputs to the NSIESO's IRP to ensure efficiency and avoid resource waste.

Conclusion The Board directs NS Power to conduct the ELCC study without delay and to continue its participation in the Net Zero Atlantic Hybrid Peak study. The Board also directs NS Power to provide an update by May 31, 2026, on the status...

AI summary The Board mandates NS Power to conduct the ELCC study and continue participation in the Net Zero Atlantic Hybrid Peak study, with a May 2026 update deadline. It also accepts NS Power's Evergreen IRP Update. Key entities include NS Power and regulatory board members.

- 27 (c) Is NSPI aware of the basis for comparison in referring to "similar 28 installations? Is this battery energy storage system (BESS)? 1 (d) If this were feasible and cost-effective, is it the NSIESO which would be 2 conducting any fu...

AI summary The text raises questions about Nova Scotia Power Inc.'s (NSPI) awareness of the basis for comparison in referring to similar installations, specifically whether the system in question is a battery energy storage system (BESS). It also inquires about the role of the Nova Scotia Independent Electricity System Operator (NSIESO) and NSPI in future energy storage procurement.

Nova Scotia should conduct an updated Evergreen IRP as soon as possible Given that NSPI has not conducted new modeling in the IRP matter since the 2022/2023 Evergreen IRP study,[2](#page-2-1) it will be important not to delay the process o...

AI summary The document argues for an immediate update to the Evergreen IRP due to NSPI's lack of recent modeling and the transition of IRP responsibilities to NSIESO under Bill 404. Six key factors, including load forecasts and battery storage, need updating for the 2030 resource plan.

3.1. Changes to Electricity Planning Environment One of the key changes to the electricity planning environment since the 2023 Evergreen IRP process is that the federal government finalized the Clean Electricity Regulations (CER). The CER...

AI summary The federal Clean Electricity Regulations (CER) require 80% renewable energy by 2030 and set emissions limits. NSPI claims its 2023 Evergreen IRP complies with CER, though it anticipates incremental system costs without quantifying them. The CER allows exemptions for planned thermal units meeting construction timelines.

Critical need for NS Power - NSIESO collaboration on next IRP Under Bill 404, the Nova Scotia Independent Energy System Operator (NSIESO) will be the entity responsible for conducting the IRP going forward. However, based on the dynamic co...

AI summary The document highlights concerns over the transition of IRP responsibilities from NS Power to NSIESO under Bill 404, noting uncertainty in the process and a lack of analysis on policy impacts like the Clean Electricity Regulations (CER). NS Power has not initiated future IRP planning or conducted rate impact analyses, risking long-term customer harm. NSIESO requires NS Power's data and expertise for effective planning, with SBA urging proactive data sharing.

Upcoming capacity needs require action in near term The 2023 Evergreen IRP calls for near-term dispatchable capacity additions, with a need for new capacity resources by 2030. NS Power has indicated that it stopped activities related to co...

AI summary The 2023 Evergreen IRP highlights urgent near-term capacity needs by 2030, with NS Power halting CT development due to NSIESO's procurement responsibility. Concerns include no entity addressing capacity planning, discrepancies in required capacity numbers, and CER regulations' 2035 emissions limits impacting resource classification timelines.

Offshore wind has uncertain impact on future portfolio One particular planning issue of note is the future of offshore wind in Nova Scotia. The province has set a target to lease 5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2030; 12 has produced a...

AI summary Nova Scotia's offshore wind target of 5 GW by 2030 is highlighted, but offshore wind is not included in the selected Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). NS Power notes it as a candidate resource but excluded in scenarios. The analysis calls for NS Power to propose methods to assess offshore wind's impact on the resource portfolio, as NSIESO will handle future IRP analysis.

Nova Scotia Energy Board IN THE MATTER OF The Public Utilities Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c.380, as amended

AI summary The document initiates a regulatory proceeding under the Public Utilities Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c.380, as amended. No substantive arguments or details are provided in the excerpt.

SBA Submission, Re: M12247 - Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NS Power) - 2025 Evergreen IRP Action Plan and Roadmap Update, August 19, 2025, page 1. NSIESO, IN THE MATTER OF an application by the Nova Scotia Independent Energy System Operator for...

AI summary The document discusses the transition of Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) responsibilities from Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NS Power) to the Nova Scotia Independent Energy System Operator (NSIESO) by October 2025. NS Power will continue to advance IRP-related work and assist NSIESO during the transition. The timeline for this transition is outlined in the NSIESO's Expenditure and Revenue Requirements application.

r NSIESO to have accurate, Nova Scotia-specific cost estimates to conduct a new IRP, and NS Power is currently the entity best situated to develop such estimates at this time. [SBA comments, pp. 1-3] The Board recognizes that the integrate...

AI summary The Board acknowledges the evolving integrated resource planning (IRP) environment and the transition of IRP responsibility from NS Power to NSIESO under the More Access to Energy Act. NS Power is tasked with providing inputs to NSIESO's IRP process to avoid duplication, ensuring efficient resource use and updated information.