March 17, 2017 – NB Power is looking for comment from New Brunswickers about affordability and customer options as it maps out its energy supply plan for the next 25 years.

The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2017 will be submitted to the Province of New Brunswick and the Energy and Utilities Board later this year. The public can share their thoughts online or in person at a community dialogue session scheduled for April, NB Power notes, and the deadline for feedback is May 15, 2017.

“The plan we’re developing will guide our decision making, our investments, the introduction of potential new products and services,” said Keith Cronkhite, NB Power senior vice-president of Business Development and Strategic Planning. “There are a lot of options for how we meet the energy needs of New Brunswick, so it’s important that we understand what’s important to you.”

The IRP will explore:

• Options to meet projected demand for electricity while ensuring that at least 40% is from renewable energy sources;
• The role NB Power can play in responding to climate change as we transition from traditional fuels to more “clean energy” sources;
• The role NB Power customers want to plan in managing future energy needs, by using electricity more efficiently, generating it, or storing it themselves;

While the IRP is forecast for 25 years, NB Power notes it updates the plan on a regular basis to reflect new technology, changes in customer demand and fuel pricing, and the last IRP was filed in 2014.