The New Brunswick government has published a comprehensive action plan addressing recommendations made following the NB Power review initiated in April 2025.
The action plan presents a long-term strategy to offer stabilized and affordable rates as well as enhance accountability and fiscal sustainability, improving the province’s position for future energy sector growth.
The provincial government said it was acting on the 50 recommendations made in the NB Power review. Actions covered in the plan include the following:
- Developing a long-term provincial energy policy aligned with NB Power’s upcoming needs and New Brunswick’s economic growth goals
- Assessing and updating the Electricity Act and wider energy regulatory framework to enhance transparency, accountability, and long-term planning
- Establishing an energy sector consumer advocate’s office to represent residential and small business customers
- Progressing conversations about improved regional co-operation and integration among utilities in the Maritimes and investigating the idea of a Maritime independent system operator
- Strengthening accountability in NB Power’s performance measurement, staffing reviews, project management and customer service
- Boosting supervision and financial planning for major projects like those involving the Mactaquac and Belledune generating stations
- Enhancing the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station’s performance via planning, accountability, clear metrics, and relationship-building
“New Brunswickers are worried about affordability and frustrated by rising power bills. This review made it clear that maintaining the status quo is not an option. We are taking a comprehensive approach to transforming NB Power so it can deliver reliable service, better manage costs and remain financially sustainable as demand for electricity continues to grow,” said NB premier Susan Holt in a statement. “At the same time, New Brunswick has an opportunity to play a larger role in Canada’s evolving electricity system and help power growth across the Maritimes. The actions we are taking today are about protecting ratepayers while positioning our province to compete and succeed in the clean energy economy.”
Energy Minister René Legacy added that the action plan “creates a clear path forward to improve reliability” and “support competitive rates.” He also said the energy sector consumer advocate’s office would “give people a stronger voice, better support navigating the system, and an advocate focused on protecting their interests.”
The energy sector consumer advocate’s office is set to commence operations at the start of the 2027-2028 fiscal year if the NB government’s legislation, which was supported by the Human Development Council, is passed.
“Moving from a public intervener, that could not represent the specific interests of any group, to a model where both small businesses and homeowners have enhanced representation was a long-standing request of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business,” said Louis-Philippe Gauthier, the CFIB’s Atlantic vice-president, in a statement. “We thank the government for making this change. With an ever-evolving energy landscape, having adequate representation before the Energy and Utilities Board will be key when decisions are made that could impact stakeholders.”
The NB government indicated that the action plan was being implemented in a number of areas, with progress monitored through quarterly updates released to the public.