Time-Varying Pricing| Nova Scotia Power

Time-Varying Pricing: Join the Waitlist

Recruitment for the Time-of-Use and Critical Peak Pricing rate plans are now closed, but we're accepting applications to be added to the waitlist.

Residential Waitlist Application Form Business Waitlist Application Form

One of the many benefits of upgrading homes to smart meters is our ability to launch new and innovative solutions that provide customers with more control over their energy use and costs. Our new Time-of-Use and Critical Peak rate plans are coming soon, and provide an opportunity for you to shift some of your energy use from peak hours to off-peak hours. 

What are Peak and Off-Peak Hours?

Peak hours are times when demand on the grid is elevated, and your rates are higher. Off-peak hours are times when demand is low, and your rates are less. By participating in this optional program, you have the opportunity to change your behaviours to save money on your annual energy costs.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Choice: You pick the rate plan that best suits your energy needs and lifestyle.

Control: Change how you use energy throughout the day.

Savings: Shift your energy use to off-peak rate times to increase your annual savings.

OFF-PEAK PERK RATE OPTIONS

Time-of-Use

Unlock summer savings! Shift your energy use during winter weekdays and take advantage of April to October savings.

Under this plan, there are three different rates, depending on the season, the day, and the time of day. You can count on savings during the summer months, which means annual energy and bill savings by the end of the year.

This plan is ideal for customers who can reduce or shift their energy use outside the two daily peak periods from Monday to Friday in the winter.

Join the Waitlist >

How the rate works

Winter weekdays (November to March) are divided into peak and off-peak hours. Rates are higher during the peak hours when demand for electricity on the grid is high.

Take advantage of lower rates during off-peak hours (including weekends and holidays) by doing laundry over the weekend, setting the dishwasher to run overnight, or turning down the thermostat.

In non-winter months (April to October) the price for electricity is less than the current standard rate and remains flat, so it does not change based on time of day.

BASE CHARGE ON YOUR BILL (FIXED CHARGE)

Charge

$19.170 per month

What it is

A set monthly fee that covers a portion of the cost of providing services to customers, such as maintaining the electrical grid, meters, customer service, and billing.

Why it matters

This charge remains the same regardless of how much electricity you use.

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ENERGY CHARGE (VARIABLE CHARGE)

Charge

Cost per kWh varies based on time of day (see details below)

WINTER SEASON (NOVEMBER 1 TO MARCH 31)

Peak Hours: Twice a day from Monday to Friday

7 AM to 11 AM
5 PM to 9 PM

Off-Peak Hours: All remaining hours from Monday to Friday.

9 PM to 7 AM
11 AM to 5 PM
PLUS All hours on weekends and statutory holidays!

SUMMER SEASON (APRIL 1 TO OCTOBER 31)

Reduced rate 24/7 during this 7-month period. This is where customers see most of their savings!

What it is

Charges based on the amount of electricity you consume measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) based on the time of day, and time of year.

Why it matters

These charges fluctuate with your usage and when you use your power; the more electricity you use in peak periods, the higher this portion of your bill will be. The more energy you use in off-peak periods, the more you’ll save.

This rate plans provides the potential annual cost savings to customers who reduce or shift their energy use to off-peak hours and for hours outside of our winter season. Our current residential standard energy charge (domestic service tariff) is 17.703¢ per kilowatt hour year-round plus the $19.170 per month customer charge. Full rates for Time-of-Use can be found in our Tariff Book.

Please note: All Nova Scotia Power rates for customers are subject to detailed review by stakeholders and the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB). Following this detailed review process, Nova Scotia Power must obtain the NSUARB’s approval for those customer rates. Rates are subject to change and become effective only after being approved by the NSUARB.

Join the waitlist >

Critical Peak Pricing

Beat the peak and save! Shift your energy use from November to March during peak events to save.

This rate is ideal if you can shift energy use outside the Critical Peak events – these are 4-hour events when we anticipate that our electrical grid will be at peak capacity during the winter months (November to March). Typically, these events happen when there’s cold weather or when renewable energy generation is lower than forecasted and customers are notified the day before an event.

The biggest perk of being on Critical Peak Pricing – outside of these identified peaks, your rate will always be lower than the standard residential service rate, which means more savings for you! Your savings will add up during off peak hours in the winter months, and between April and October when you're paying a lower rate and there are no peak events.

Note: You must have a registered MyAccount to participate in this plan.

Join the Waitlist >

How the rate works

Critical Peak Events can be called between November 1st and March 31st on weekdays and up to three on weekends with a maximum of 18 total events and are limited to three events per week. It’s possible that events may occur on consecutive days, if needed.
Events last for four-hour periods, anytime between 6:00 am and 11:00 pm. Typically events are called between 7:00 am to 11:00 am and/or 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Critical Peak Events will never occur on a statutory holiday.
You will be notified by email and/or text by 4:00 pm the day before and then again once the event starts.
Remember, outside of Critical Peak Events, your rate will always be lower. This means your savings will add up when you're paying a lower rate and there are no peak events.

Keep track of when Critical Peak Events are called.

BASE CHARGE ON YOUR BILL (FIXED CHARGE)

Charge

$19.170 per month

What it is

A set monthly fee that covers a portion of the cost of providing services to customers, such as maintaining the electrical grid, meters, customer service, and billing.

Why it matters

This charge remains the same regardless of how much electricity you use.

_____

ENERGY CHARGE (VARIABLE CHARGE)

Charge

Varies based on time of day

WINTER SEASON (NOVEMBER 1 TO MARCH 31)

Peak Hours: When a critical peak events time periods during the winter season. This typically happens when there’s very cold weather or when renewable energy generation (wind, solar & hydro) is lower than forecasted.
Off-Peak Hours: All remaining hours during the winter season.

SUMMER SEASON (APRIL 1 TO OCTOBER 31)

Reduced rate 24/7 during this 7 month period. This is where customers see most of their savings!

What it is

Charges based on the amount of electricity you consume measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) based on the time of day, and time of year.

Why it matters

These charges fluctuate with your usage and when you use your power; the more electricity you use in peak periods, the higher this portion of your bill will be. The more energy you use in off-peak periods, the more you’ll save.

This rate plans provides the potential annual cost savings to customers who reduce or shift their energy use to off-peak hours and for hours outside of our winter season. Our current residential standard energy charge (domestic service tariff) is 17.703¢ per kilowatt hour year-round plus the $19.170 per month customer charge. Full rates for Time-of-Use can be found in our  Tariff Book.

Please note: All Nova Scotia Power rates for customers are subject to detailed review by stakeholders and the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB). Following this detailed review process, Nova Scotia Power must obtain the NSUARB’s approval for those customer rates. Rates are subject to change and become effective only after being approved by the NSUARB.

Join the waitlist >