How one N.B. town has successfully led the way to a smart energy future

2025-05-22

Shediac, NB — After years of helping shape the province’s energy future, an innovative clean energy project in the Town of Shediac is complete.

The Shediac Smart Energy Community Project was a five-year research project involving local households. The project was launched in 2018 and tested innovative technologies designed to save energy, reduce emissions while supporting a more affordable and sustainable grid.

The project was part of Smart Grid Atlantic, a federally funded program supporting energy innovation in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Other NB Power partners include the Town of Shediac and Siemens Canada.

“This project gives us key insights that will inform our investments going forward as we advance our path to greener, cleaner energy for New Brunswick,” said Lori Clark, NB Power President and CEO.

“We are grateful to the Town of Shediac and to the hundreds of residential customers who participated in this project, and proud that the town is now moving forward to become New Brunswick’s first net-zero community.”

Project highlights include the following:

• Smart Energy Adoption: Residential customers tested advanced energy-saving tools, time-of-day electricity rates, and solar + battery storage systems.
• Smart Meter Deployment: Homes in Shediac received smart meters, enabling real-time energy tracking and better integration of clean energy sources.
• Net-Zero Public Buildings: The Shediac Multipurpose Building and the Government of Canada Pension Centre were retrofitted with solar panels, battery storage, and efficiency upgrades. These are the first buildings in New Brunswick certified for net-zero performance by the Canada Green Building Council.
• NB Power’s First Grid-Connected Solar Farm: This was built to supply clean energy to Shediac’s public buildings and local grid, aiming to reduce emissions and support energy resilience in the community.

“This project is a best practice of an ecosystem where private, public, government and community worked together, employing innovative technologies and engaging consumers to enable a greener future. Accomplishments and lessons learned in Shediac can help form a blueprint for sustainable communities everywhere,” said Faisal Kazi, President & CEO, Siemens Canada.

Throughout the project, customers reported energy savings and increased awareness of how to lower their energy use through smart habits and efficient technology, which include cold climate heat pumps.

The project also provided important data for NB Power on how residential and commercial customers respond to smart technology and pricing models. This data is already informing decisions on how to best manage demand and scale renewable energy across the province. As a result, NB Power would like to thank the residents of Shediac, including homeowners, businesses, and project partners who made this initiative possible over the years.

“We are proud that Shediac is leading the way as we aim to become New Brunswick’s first net-zero community,” said Shediac Mayor Roger Caissie. “This is a major step forward for our town and our province.”

For more information on the Shediac Smart Energy Community Project and Smart Grid Atlantic, visit nbpower.com.

Media Contact for NB Power: efraser@nbpower.com

Media Contact for the Town of Shediac: sylvain.montreuil@shediac.ca