Rates & Tariffs

Rate Options

At Nova Scotia Power, we understand that every customer is unique, and so are your energy needs. We offer a selection of rate plans designed to accommodate different usage patterns and preferences, whether that’s for your home or business.  

One of the many benefits of upgrading homes and businesses to smart meters is our ability to launch new and innovative solutions. These provide customers with more control over their energy use and cost.

Discover our available rate plans for residential and business customers. Compare and choose which rate plan fits your needs! We are committed to providing reliable, safe and affordable service to our customers.
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Residential Rates

Choose a rate plan that's right for you and your home!

Rates for Residential Customers
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Business Rates

Whether you're a small, medium or large business, we've got a rate plan for you!

Rates for Business Customers

Applications Now Open. Apply Now.

Discover our latest rate options to help you save energy and money! Apply for the Time-of-Use Rate Pilot or Critical Peak Pricing Rate Pilot today.

Understanding Our Rates

How are rates set?

We are regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB)—they are responsible for ensuring customers receive power at fair rates. The NSURB uses a “cost of service” method which ensures that rates are set at a level that will allow us to recover costs plus a reasonable profit. Without a reasonable return, investors would not be willing to invest in the utility. 


A full breakdown of how rates are set by the NSUARB can be found on their website.

What's included in power bill?

Residential and business customers have two charges on their bills: a base charge and an energy rate. The base charge is a set charge for the cost of delivering and maintaining electricity service. The energy charge is the price per kWh of energy used, which changes based on energy use habits for that period. The energy charge includes costs associated with the fuel used to make electricity and energy efficiency programs. 

Demand customers—which are primarily commercial or industrial customers with higher peak power demand periods—also have a demand charge. Demand billing is a standard practice used throughout North America to fairly recover costs from some business customers who use more than a specified amount of electricity during peak periods. Demand bills have two components: the total amount of electricity used (the energy charge), and the highest amount used within a 15-minute interval at any time during the customer’s billing period (the demand charge). 

What's included in my energy charge?
A graph showing the energy charge breakdown

The visual above is for demonstrative purposes only based on the standard residential rate (domestic service tariff). The monthly base charge would be additional.

FUEL (Fuel Adjustment Mechanism - FAM)

The cost of fuel and purchased power we require to serve customers and meet their electricity needs. This includes many forms of fuel like oil, coal, and biomass, as well as purchased power, including from hydro and wind facilities, as well as imported electricity. Learn more about fuel-related costs.


OPERATIONAL COSTS & INVESTMENTS (Non-Fuel)

The cost to invest in and maintain assets, such as generation facilities (making of power) and transmission and distribution infrastructure (delivery of power). Examples include our power plants, fleet trucks, and poles and wires.


ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS (Demand Side Management Cost Recovery Rider - DSM)

The cost of delivering energy efficiency programs that encourage cost savings for customers. Learn more about Energy Efficiency Programs.