NSP CEO defends solar fee proposal

Nova Scotia Power’s CEO is defending a metering charge that targets people who use solar power.

Peter Gregg said the system access charge is directed at customers who generate solar power at their homes or businesses and use NSP’s power lines and infrastructure. These customers put their excess energy on NSP's grid or use power from the grid when they don’t produce enough.

“Today, the energy and service provided by NSP to solar customers is being subsidized by all of NSP’s other customers,” Gregg said in a Jan. 29 news release. “Our intent in the general rate application is to address this fact and find a solution with the regulator that is fair for all customers.”

Gregg said a "strong and fair" net metering program is a critical part of NSP’s goal of getting Nova Scotia off coal by 2030.

The utility asked the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board on Jan. 27 to approve the proposal to charge new solar power users $8 per month per kilowatt hour of installed capacity.

Customers who hooked up before Feb. 1, 2022, would be exempt from the charge for 25 years after their sign-up date.

Solar Nova Scotia, an industry organization representing 40 installers, argues the company is using its monopoly on power distribution to eliminate small-scale competition.

“This is a death knell,” Don Rosco, treasurer for Solar Nova Scotia, said on Jan. 28.

Gregg said NSP understands those concerns and plans to meet with solar industry leaders early next week.

“We will continue to support the development of more renewables in Nova Scotia while maintaining our commitment to ensuring fairness for all customers,” he said.

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