EfficiencyOne files new 1-year DSM Plan extension application to reduce electricity costs for Nova Scotians and help meet net-zero climate commitments

EfficiencyOne files new 1-year DSM Plan extension application to reduce electricity costs for Nova Scotians and help meet net-zero climate commitments

For immediate release

April 30, 2025 – Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS – Today EfficiencyOne, the nonprofit administrator of Efficiency Nova Scotia, filed its 2026 Demand Side Management (DSM) Plan extension application with the Nova Scotia Energy Board. The extension will help Nova Scotians lower their electricity bills by reducing their energy use, drive economic growth, all while helping the province meet its net-zero commitments under the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act. The Plan extension will begin January 1, 2026. 

This one-year legislated extension includes an investment of $63.75 million, and will lower electricity bills by more than $135 million and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 200,000 tonnes.

“This 2026 Plan ensures that more Nova Scotians benefit from Efficiency Nova Scotia’s rebates and support,” says Martha Casey, Chief Operating Officer, EfficiencyOne. “Including $13 million for low-income and equity program, and renters, and over $20 million for small businesses.”

In February 2024 the Province introduced the Energy Reform Act (ERA) designed to modernize Nova Scotia’s electricity system and enhance public utility regulation in the energy sector. This one-year extension will ensure that EfficiencyOne’s next five-year DSM Plan for the 2027-2031 period will consider the wider benefits of Demand Side Management. The 2027-2031 Plan will be the first five-year plan submitted by EfificiencyOne; previously E1 filed three-year DSM Plans for the periods of 2016-2018, 2020-2022, and 2023-2025.  The shift to a five-year DSM Plan was introduced as an amendment to the Public Utilities Act in fall 2022 and will serve to provide greater certainty to the hundreds of businesses across Nova Scotia who work in the energy efficiency industry, reduce costs for ratepayers, and provide more flexibility in terms of program offerings and program design.

“This extension is very good news for our customers and EfficiencyOne,” adds Casey.  “It ensures that the next five-year plan will be more robust and comprehensive and includes even more benefits from energy efficiency.”

Our 2026 DSM Plan Extension benefits all Nova Scotians:

• $34 million for all residential customers, including $13 million for low-income and equity seeking Nova Scotians, including renters.
• Approximately $30 million to support business, nonprofit, institutional customers, with $20 million for small businesses.

About EfficiencyOne

EfficiencyOne, operating in Nova Scotia as Efficiency Nova Scotia, has a proven track record of success in designing and delivering resource efficiency programs and services for homes, businesses, and large industrial customers. To date, EfficiencyOne is saving Nova Scotians $5.6 billion in energy savings including $628 million for low-income homeowners and renters and avoiding the release of 12.7 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more at efficiencyone.ca

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For more information, contact:

Janet Tobin
Communication Manager
902-499-6494
jtobin@efficiencyns.ca