Regulatory Matters

We are highly regulated by an independent body, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB), which oversees our operations. The UARB ensures we are operating prudently and spending customers’ money – your money – wisely.

The UARB exercises general supervision over Nova Scotia Power and other public utilities in Nova Scotia. As a large-scale public utility, as defined in the Public Utilities Act, Nova Scotia Power must obtain approval for every capital expenditure it proposes to make over $1 million. Whether we’re upgrading a dam at a hydroelectric station or building a wind farm, the UARB assessment includes the need for the proposed work, the reasonableness of the expense, and the impact on customers.

Under the Public Utilities Act, we provide service to all areas of Nova Scotia except for the areas served by municipal utilities. We have an obligation to serve customers within our service territory. In deregulated electricity markets, utilities can choose to provide service to customers only where it's economically efficient to do so. Nova Scotians in remote locations have the same access to service and pay the same rates as customers in downtown Halifax, or those located next door to a power plant.

Electricity rates must be set based on the cost of providing service in Nova Scotia, with the expectation of a reasonable return. Regulation ensures we’re operating as we’re supposed to, and that any changes in electricity prices reflect the true cost of generating, and delivering, electricity to Nova Scotians.