Would the province consider re-nationalizing Nova Scotia Power?
Premier Tim Houston was asked by reporters at Province House Friday if they’d explore buying the company back.
“Discussions around what that would cost in this environment, I’m sure that would be a pretty big number. I’m most concerned about making sure there’s competition for Nova Scotia Power,” said Houston.
The utility could have that competition as soon as next year.
Renewall Energy recently got $200 million for the Mersey River Wind Project on the South Shore.
It’s expected to provide enough clean electricity to power more than 50,000 homes.
Houston says it will offer Nova Scotians a choice on where they buy their power.
On Friday, NDP leader Claudia Chender said the province needs to do a full, economic analysis of the utility.
“That’s an analysis that wasn’t done in 1992 when the PC government sold the utility. It’s one that people across this province are asking for, and that they deserve,” Chender told reporters.
Liberal interim leader Iain Rankin says other provinces own their own power utility, and are still seeing increases.
“We need to focus on how Nova Scotia operates, and continue to look at opportunities for competition. That takes time. Re-nationalizing Nova Scotia Power is not a serious question right now,” said Rankin.
Rate hike still under review
The talk around Nova Scotia Power comes as a rate hike request is before the Nova Scotia Energy Board.
It would go up around eight percent by January, 2027 for most rate payers.
Houston has called the request ‘out of touch.’
In a submission to the board, Houston said the board’s job is to ensure rates are just and reasonable, and the company should demonstrate stronger performance in transparency before Nova Scotians are asked to pay more.
