Transmission and Distribution
Nova Scotia’s transmission and
distribution system consists of 31,800km of power lines stretching
across roughly 29,500 transmission towers, 500,000 distribution poles,
and 190 substations to bring electricity from power plants to customers.
About 5,300 km of transmission lines operating at high-voltages from 69
KV to 345 KV bring electricity from generating stations to distribution
substations throughout the province. Transmission lines often run along
large steel or wooden towers, commonly seen along Nova Scotia’s
highways.

Electricity carried by transmission lines is sent
through distribution substations and transformers that step the
electricity down to a lower voltage level that is safe for delivery to
homes and businesses. 26,500 km of distribution lines then carry the
electricity to localized areas and connect to individual meters on homes
and businesses.
A 350 MW capacity transmission line connects
Nova Scotia with New Brunswick, enabling limited importing and exporting
of electricity with neighbouring jurisdictions. The Nova Scotia system
operator may import electricity when it is needed and can be purchased
at a lower price than it can be generated inside the province, or may
export electricity when it can be sold at a price that lowers costs for
customers inside Nova Scotia.