Critical Peak Pricing

Critical Peak Pricing Rate Pilot

Beat the peak and save!

Shift your energy use from November to March during critical peak events to save on your power bill. Critical peak events are four-hour periods when we anticipate demand for electricity to be highest during the winter months. 

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The Critical Peak Pricing Rate Pilot is ideal if you can shift energy use outside the Critical Peak events within a day's notice – these are four-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. 

The biggest perk of being on this rate – 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 pilot.

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Did you Know?

One of the many benefits of installing smart meters on homes and businesses like yours is our ability to launch new and innovative solutions, which provide customers with more control over their energy use and costs.

Learn more about smart meters >

How Critical Peak Pricing Rate Pilot Works

Shift your energy use from November to March during Critical Peak events to save on your power bill. Critical Peak events are four-hour periods when we anticipate demand for electricity to be highest during the winter months. The rate pilot is effective from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025.

A pie-chart showing peak hours during the day

From November to March:

Off-Peak: 14.994 per ¢/kWh

Critical Peak Event: 170.082 per ¢/kWh

A pie chart showing the rate for all hours during the day

All Hours Outside of Critical Peak Events:

14.994 per ¢/kWh

 

Rate Breakdown

    This rate provides the potential annual cost savings to customers who reduce or shift their energy use to off-peak hours. Our current standard residential service rate energy charge (domestic service tariff) is 17.703¢ per kilowatt hour year-round plus the $19.170 per month customer charge.  

    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 the time of day.

    WINTER SEASON (NOVEMBER 1 TO MARCH 31)

    Critical Peak Events: When a critical peak event is called during the winter season, the rate is higher. 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, this is when the rate is lower.

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

    Why it matters: These charges fluctuate with your usage; the more electricity you use during four-hour peak events, the higher this portion of your bill will be.

    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.

    Applications Now Open. Apply Now.

    We are now accepting applications for the Critical Peak Pricing Rate Pilot. Don’t wait, apply today!

    About Critical Peak Events

    Critical Peak events can be called between November 1st and March 31st. 
    • A maximum of 18 for the year--up to 3 of the 18 can be on weekends.
    • Limited to three events per week (Monday to Sunday).
    • 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 Peaks 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.


    About the Pilot

    Through this Time-of-Use Rate Pilot, we are looking to examine how shifts in the time of day that energy is used can benefit both customers and the electrical grid. This rate provides opportunities for customers to save money on their annual power bill by reducing or shifting their energy use from peak hours when demand is high for electricity, to off-peak hours when demand is low.

    The rate pilot is effective from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025. Participation is optional and customers can leave the pilot at any time and switch back to the Standard Residential Service Rate. Switching between Time-of-Use and Critical Peak Pricing Rate Pilots is not permitted after the season begins (November 1st, 2024).

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are peak hours? What are the rates and times for peak and off-peak hours?

    Peak hours are the times during the day when there is high demand for electricity during the winter months (November 1 – March 31). 

    For the Time-of-Use rate, peaks times are 7:00am – 11:00am and 5:00pm – 9:00pm Monday to Friday. After 9pm, weekends and holidays are all off-peak. 

    For the Critical Peak rate, peak events are 4 hours in length and can occur any time between 6:00am and 11:00pm every day but holidays.

    Rates during these hours vary by plan.

    How much money can I save?

    Everyone’s energy use is different, but if you reduce or shift your energy use to off-peak hours, you have the potential to save money on this pilot. Visit Energy Conservation Tips on our website for tips on how you can reduce your usage.

    Could I end up paying more on my power bill?

    Your bill is based on how much energy your household uses. If you cannot reduce or shift your energy to off-peak hours on winter weekdays between November and March, there is a chance your bill could increase. Your bills may increase in the winter, particularly on the Time-of-Use rate plan, which is offset with lower rates in the summer months. 

    How does the Critical Peak Rate Plan work and is it right for me?

    Critical Peak events last four hours, and participants will be notified by email and/or SMS by 4:00 pm the day prior, and directly before the event starts allowing time to adjust usage. The Critical Peak rate plan is designed for customers who can respond to the notification by shifting their usage as much as possible during the four-hour period between 6:00 am and 11:00 pm. Up to a maximum of 18 peak events could be called between November 1 and March 31. These events can be only called on weekdays and up to three on weekends (statutory holidays are excluded). Outside peak events and winter season, 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. A registered MyAccount is required to participate in this plan.

     

    Can I opt out after enrolling?

    We encourage you to participate for the full year to experience potential savings on your bill, but you can switch back to the Residential Standard Plan at any time, without penalty. If you move during the pilot, participation at your current household will end and you are required to fill out a new application for your new home.

    How long is the pilot?

    This voluntary rate trial will run from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025. 

    Will my data be kept confidential?

    Yes. Your account data, including energy use information and savings, will be kept confidential. NS Power takes the privacy of its customers very seriously. For further information on the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, please see our Privacy Policy.

    What’s the difference between Time-of-Day rates and the Time-Varying Pricing Rate Pilot?

    Our existing Time-of-Day (TOD) rate works for customers who install an Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) unit in their homes. TOD rates work by billing a rate more reflective of the actual cost of making and delivering power at different times, meaning power is cheapest overnight and on weekends and holidays when overall demand on the electricity system is lower. Power is also more expensive during winter days, when demand is the highest. 

    The Time-of-Day Rate Plans Pilot program is a new pilot that runs through October 31, 2024. Under this pilot, customers do not need to install an ETS and choose the plan that works for their lifestyle. These plans provide opportunities for customers to save money on their annual power bill by reducing or shifting their energy use from peak hours when demand is high for electricity, to off-peak hours when demand is low.

    How do I apply and what happens next?

    We are accepting applications for this rate pilot. To apply for Critical Peak Pricing Rate Pilot, complete this application form.  

    What days count as holidays?

    • New Year's Day
    • Good Friday
    • Easter Monday
    • Victoria Day
    • Canada Day
    • Natal Day
    • Labour Day
    • Truth and Reconciliation Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Remembrance Day
    • Christmas Day
    • Boxing Day
    • Heritage Day

    See more FAQs

    Understanding Our Rates

    How are rates set?

    We are regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB)—they are responsible for ensuring customers receive power at fair rates. The NSURB uses a “cost of service” method which ensures that rates are set at a level that will allow us to recover costs plus a reasonable profit. Without a reasonable return, investors would not be willing to invest in the utility. 

    A full breakdown of how rates are set by the NSUARB can be found on their website.

    What's included in my power bill?

    Residential and business customers have two charges on their bills: a base charge and an energy rate. The base charge is a set charge for the cost of delivering and maintaining electricity service. The energy charge is the price per kWh of energy used, which changes based on energy use habits for that period. The energy charge includes costs associated with the fuel used to make electricity and energy efficiency programs. 

    Demand customers—which are primarily commercial or industrial customers with higher peak power demand periods—also have a demand charge. Demand billing is a standard practice used throughout North America to fairly recover costs from some business customers who use more than a specified amount of electricity during peak periods. Demand bills have two components: the total amount of electricity used (the energy charge), and the highest amount used within a 15-minute interval at any time during the customer’s billing period (the demand charge). 

    What's included in my energy charge?
    A graph showing the energy charge breakdown

    The visual above is for demonstrative purposes only based on the standard residential rate (domestic service tariff). The monthly base charge would be additional.

    FUEL (Fuel Adjustment Mechanism - FAM)

    The cost of fuel and purchased power we require to serve customers and meet their electricity needs. This includes many forms of fuel like oil, coal, and biomass, as well as purchased power, including from hydro and wind facilities, as well as imported electricity.  Learn more about fuel-related costs.

    OPERATIONAL COSTS & INVESTMENTS (Non-Fuel)

    The cost to invest in and maintain assets, such as generation facilities (making of power) and transmission and distribution infrastructure (delivery of power). Examples include our power plants, fleet trucks, and poles and wires.

    ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS (Demand Side Management Cost Recovery Rider - DSM)

    The cost of delivering energy efficiency programs that encourage cost savings for customers.  Learn more about Energy Efficiency Programs.

    Resources

    Rate Options for Your Budget

    We offer different rate plans to provide you with options to suit your energy usage preferences and lifestyle.

    A mother holding a child
    Time-of-Day Rate

    This equipment-based rate plan is available for our customers with electric thermal storage heating systems, including electric thermal storage room units, furnaces and in-floor heating systems.

    Learn More
    Family of three standing in front of a house
    Standard Residential Service Rate

    This is our standard, default rate, also known as the Domestic Service Tariff. It is a flat rate throughout the day, all year round.

    Learn More
    A family of four sitting on a couch
    Time-of-Use Rate Pilot

    Shift to save! Shift your weekly energy usage in the winter to save on your annual power bill by unlocking summer savings.

    Learn More