NB Power files two applications with the EUB focused on improving reliability and stabilizing revenue

2026-01-23

Fredericton (NB) – Yesterday, NB Power filed two separate applications with the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (NBEUB). 

“Our team is focused on doing everything we can to support New Brunswickers and provide them with the level of reliability and customer service they deserve,” said Lori Clark, President and CEO. “We have to balance our current service delivery with future readiness, while at the same time responding to the challenges we’re facing as a utility. NB Power will continue to respect the regulatory process and the NBEUB’s commitment to ensuring a fair process is followed to determine the financial decisions we’re making are in the best interests of New Brunswickers, and that our customer’s rates are as low as possible.” 

Generator Rewind Filing 

One of the filings is for approval of a generator rewind at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station (PLNGS). This work was conducted as part of a planned maintenance outage that occurred between July and December 2025 that resulted in the completion of more than 23,000 tasks, including the replacement of motors, valves, and pumps; upgrades to electrical systems; and comprehensive testing and inspections.  

The application filed with the NBEUB today applies to the most complex work component of the outage, a full generator rewind, which involved replacing the stator windings inside the main generator on the conventional (non-nuclear) side of the station. This necessary work was identified as an issue during a 2024 planned maintenance outage. Emergency temporary repairs were conducted at that time to ensure that PLNGS was safely online for the winter heating season and to provide time for the necessary parts for the full rewind to be manufactured. This critical work will help strengthen long-term generator reliability and reduce the need for future maintenance. 

As the capital cost of the generator rewind is greater than $50 million, in accordance with the Electricity Act, it requires approval by the NBEUB. The utility is filing the application for approval of costs after the work was completed. The Electricity Act allows for retroactive approval in cases where immediate, emergency attention is required to ensure the safety and reliability of the province’s generation stations.

Costs associated with the generator rewind will be included in NB Power’s annual financial statements, which are publicly available.  

Motion for Interim Order 

The second filing is related to the utility’s General Rate Application (GRA), which was submitted to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board Oct. 1, 2025. This motion for interim order will outline two requests: 1) an interim rate increase starting April 1, 2026, or 2) allow NB Power to recover any loss in revenue associated with a delay in implementing new rates after April 1, 2026, over the remainder of fiscal year once the decision has been rendered on the GRA. This filing is also in accordance with the NBEUB regulatory process. 

This measure is deemed necessary due to the delayed hearing date for the GRA – a scheduling issue that is the result of the Renewables Integration Grid Security (RIGS) Project that is also moving through the NBEUB regulatory process this winter with a hearing scheduled for February 9-13, 2026. Typically, a GRA hearing and decision would have occurred in time for any new rates to take effect at the start of the utility’s new fiscal year, April 1, 2026. Any delay to that start date will significantly impact the utility’s revenue and its ability to make critical investments or improve its financial health.

The utility will be asking for rates to be approved as outlined in the GRA, which is a rate increase of 4.75% across all rate classes, making a difference of approximately $10.90/month for the average residential customer using 1,350 kWh/month. These funds will go directly toward upgrading essential infrastructure, ensuring a reliable supply of power for homes and businesses, and supporting the transition to clean, modern energy solutions.

If the interim rate motion is accepted, this rate will be in place until the NBEUB makes its final decision following the planned March 2026 GRA hearing, which gives customers an opportunity to offer feedback. If the final approved rate is lower than the interim rate, customers’ bills will be adjusted as required by the NBEUB.

If the alternative motion is approved, the NBEUB would permit NB Power to recover the revenue lost due to the delay in setting new rates through a separate charge. This charge would only be applied after the GRA is finalized and would be in place only until March 31, 2027.

NB Power will continue to communicate with customers as these applications move through the regulatory process and before any potential new rates take effect.

For information on all matters before the NBEUB, visit their website here. 

For more information on NB Power’s current General Rate Application and the reasons behind it, visit its webpage here. 

NB Power offers a wide array of energy efficiency and bill management programs to support customers. Learn more here.

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Fraser - EFraser@nbpower.com