New Brunswick's Power Sources

New Brunswick has a diversified energy mix, with nuclear and hydropower as its primary sources of electricity. The province aims to transition to a non-emitting grid by reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. In 2019, approximately 38% of New Brunswick's electricity generation came from nuclear power, 30% from fossil fuels, 22% from hydroelectricity, and the remainder from wind and biomass. The province has a total estimated generating capacity of 4,520 megawatts (MW), with NB Power, the government-owned utility company, generating most of its electricity. New Brunswick is also the only province outside of Ontario with nuclear power.

Sources of electricity in New Brunswick

New Brunswick has a diversified electric supply mix, with a total generation capacity of 4,388 MW. The province's primary sources of electricity are nuclear and hydropower, with a focus on transitioning to a non-emitting grid by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. In 2019, approximately 38% of New Brunswick's electricity generation was from nuclear power, 30% from fossil fuels (natural gas, coal, and petroleum), and 22% from hydroelectricity. The remaining portion was produced from renewable sources such as wind and biomass.

The government-owned NB Power is the main power generator in the province, providing more than 88% of its generating capacity. NB Power operates a mix of 13 hydro, coal, oil, and diesel-powered stations, as well as the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, with a combined capacity of 3,130 MW.

In addition to NB Power, independent power producers contribute to the province's electricity generation. These producers operate wind, biomass, natural gas, hydro, and other renewable energy facilities. The development of renewable energy sources is a key focus for the government, with a commitment to increasing electricity from new renewable sources to 40% by 2020.

New Brunswick also has a strong wind energy regime, with 294 MW of installed wind capacity, helping to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. The province has seen significant growth in this area, with wind energy now meeting up to 50% of total electrical needs during summer months.

Other renewable sources, such as solar, tidal, and geothermal energy, are also being explored and developed to contribute to the province's energy mix.

The role of NB Power

NB Power, or the New Brunswick Electric Power Corporation, is the primary electric utility in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. It is a vertically-integrated Crown corporation owned by the government of New Brunswick. As such, it is responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in the province. NB Power serves all residential and industrial power consumers in New Brunswick, except those in Saint John, Edmundston, and Perth-Andover, who are served by other energy companies.

NB Power operates a total of 13 hydro, coal, oil, and diesel-powered stations with a combined capacity of 3,130 MW. It also operates the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, which is the only active nuclear generating station in Canada outside of Ontario. The company's generation facilities are spread across the province, with nearly half of its total generation capacity located in the Saint John area.

In addition to power generation, NB Power also operates an extensive transmission grid that includes over 6,849 kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines ranging from 69 kV AC to 345 kV AC. The company has interconnections with neighbouring provinces and the US, allowing for the import and export of electricity.

NB Power's role also extends beyond just the technical aspects of electricity generation and transmission. The company offers a range of customer services, including assistance during power outages, generator safety information, and tree maintenance. It also provides energy-saving advice and tools to help customers manage their energy use and reduce their environmental impact.

NB Power plays a crucial role in New Brunswick's energy sector and is committed to exploring new generating options and modernizing the province's power grid. The company's efforts to transition to a non-emitting grid and reduce fossil fuel reliance demonstrate its dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Overall, NB Power is a vital link in the province's energy infrastructure, ensuring a reliable supply of electricity to residents and businesses while also adapting to meet the evolving needs and demands of its customers.

The future of renewable energy in New Brunswick

New Brunswick has a diversified energy supply mix, with NB Power, the government-owned utility company, providing more than 88% of the province's electricity. The province has committed to increasing the amount of electricity from new renewable sources to 40% by 2020, and this target was exceeded in the 2020-2021 fiscal year, with 51% of power sold in the province coming from renewable sources.

Sources of Renewable Energy

Hydro-Electric Power

New Brunswick has been using electricity from conventional hydro installations for almost 100 years, but there is limited potential for additional large-scale hydro-electric projects as most of the ideal sites have already been developed. However, small and micro-size hydro-electric projects that capture the kinetic energy in rivers and streams without the need for large dams are being considered.

Tidal Power

The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world, and harnessing tidal energy has long been a goal for engineers and scientists. While there are technical and environmental challenges to installing and operating mechanical devices in such a powerful environment, tidal power has the advantage of being more predictable than wind and solar energy, making it easier to integrate and manage on power grids.

Wind Power

New Brunswick has 294 MW of installed wind capacity, which has helped reduce the province's dependence on imported fossil fuels. At times in the summer, up to 50% of the province's total electrical needs are met with wind energy. The variable nature of wind power means that other generation sources are needed to ensure a constant supply of electricity when wind speeds are low.

Solar Power

Solar energy is a renewable energy source that can be used to create electricity and heat. However, solar technology is still costly compared to other renewables, and it is weather-dependent, requiring another energy source as a backup.

Bioenergy

Bioenergy includes solid biomass, biogas, liquid biofuels, and the organic component of industrial waste and municipal solid waste. New Brunswick has three large-scale facilities using woody biomass to produce electricity, and the province sees potential in increasing the use of locally produced wood biomass to support energy independence, local industries, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Challenges and Opportunities

While New Brunswick has made significant progress in adopting renewable energy sources, there are still challenges and opportunities to be addressed. The development of tidal energy, for example, requires consultation with various stakeholders, including the fishing and aquaculture industry, tourism, First Nations, and the environmental community. Additionally, the high development costs of tidal in-stream generation devices need to be addressed.

To support the integration and adoption of emerging clean and renewable energy technologies, the province must continue to promote energy efficiency, sustainability best practices, and renewable projects and technologies. By doing so, New Brunswick can protect its citizens from volatile electricity costs, reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels, and minimize its environmental impact.

The cost of electricity in New Brunswick

New Brunswick has a diverse energy mix, with nuclear and hydropower being the primary sources of electricity. In 2019, approximately 38% of the province's electricity generation was from nuclear power, while 30% was from fossil fuels (natural gas, coal, and petroleum), and 22% from hydroelectricity. The rest was produced from wind and biomass energy. The province's electricity rates are regulated by the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board, which approves rates and tariffs for NB Power, the main power generator in the province.

NB Power provides more than 88% of New Brunswick's generating capacity and has an estimated total capacity of 4,520 megawatts (MW). The company operates a mix of 13 hydro, coal, oil, and diesel-powered stations, as well as the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, with a combined capacity of 3,130 MW. The average electricity rates for NB Power are 11.18 cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kW.h), and all residential urban customers are charged a basic rate of $22.39 per month.

In addition to NB Power, there are independent power producers and three municipal utilities, Saint John Energy, Edmundston Energy, and Perth Energy, that contribute to the province's electricity supply. Saint John Energy, for example, provides energy to 36,500 residents of the city, while still relying on NB Power as its wholesale electricity supplier.

The average residential cost of electricity in New Brunswick is $0.139 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) or $139 per month, assuming an average monthly usage of 1,000 kWh. This rate has increased from $0.127 per kWh or $127 per month in 2020. These rates are among the lowest in Atlantic Canada, and New Brunswick is the only province outside of Ontario with nuclear power.

Other factors that can impact the cost of electricity in New Brunswick include the transmission and distribution system, fuel adjustment mechanism (FAM), the number of appliances, and other delivery costs. The cost of electricity can also vary depending on the season, with higher usage and rates typically occurring during the winter months due to heating demands.

How electricity is regulated in New Brunswick

New Brunswick's electricity is regulated by the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (EUB or NBEUB). The NBEUB regulates the rates charged by NB Power, the provincially-owned electric utility provider, which generates most of the province's electricity. NB Power must seek approval from the NBEUB for any rate increases or capital projects exceeding $50 million. The NBEUB also oversees NB Power's 10-year strategic, financial, and capital investment plans, as well as its 25-year integrated resource plan outlining projected supply options.

The NBEUB ensures that operators and users of the transmission system adhere to the rules and reliability standards for the bulk electricity system. It also regulates the distribution rates and customer service policies of Liberty Utilities (formerly Enbridge Gas New Brunswick), which holds the franchise for gas distribution in the province. The NBEUB regulates the price Liberty Utilities charges for delivering gas but does not regulate the price of the gas itself.

In addition, the NBEUB sets maximum prices for gasoline and heating fuel sold in the province based on a formula established by legislation and the average of the previous seven days of trading at the New York commodities market. The board also reviews and oversees the construction of intra-provincial pipelines carrying hazardous materials, such as natural gas, oil, gasoline, and brine.

Frequently asked questions