New Brunswick Outlines Plan for NB Power Review
May 6, 2025
The New Brunswick government announced the plan for the comprehensive review of NB Power.
“This comprehensive review will help make sure that we are doing everything we possibly can to provide low and stable power rates for New Brunswickers, provide safe, reliable service, and make sure NB Power is able to operate in an affordable, competitive and sustainable way,” said Premier Susan Holt. “As I have said before, everything is on the table because the status quo is no longer an option.”
The comprehensive review will be led by three people independent from NB Power. They will be responsible for gathering and analyzing data, conducting engagement activities and developing recommendations based on their findings. The people leading the review will be announced and begin their work later this month.
“We want to make sure New Brunswickers have many chances to participate,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy, who is also the minister responsible for energy. “Taking in their suggestions, questions and views will be critical to the success of the review.”
The comprehensive review will focus on four areas: financial sustainability, governance and utility structure, customer expectations, and investor attractiveness and strategic partnerships.
A website will be developed and act as a central hub for sharing information and providing details about engagement opportunities. More details about that process will be available next month, with public engagement expected to begin in June.
Legacy said it is important to understand that this process is separate from the current audit at NB Power related to reported spikes in power bills.
“Government has taken steps to address short-term affordability measures, such as the 10 per cent rebate on electricity consumption that was initiated in January,” said Legacy. “We understand New Brunswickers are rightly concerned about their electricity bills now. The only way we are going to tackle this problem for good is to look at the utility as a whole, with an eye on the future.”
Final recommendations and any decisions related to the comprehensive review are expected by the end of March 2026.
