What is My Energy Pilot?

My Energy Pilot is a voluntary customer learning initiative that will help NB Power understand how New Brunswick households respond when asked to temporarily reduce or delay electricity use during periods of high demand on the electricity system.

The pilot will take place from December 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Participants will receive advance notice before scheduled demand response events and can choose simple actions that work for their households. Participants who complete the pilot requirements will receive a $100 incentive by Interac e-Transfer after the pilot ends.

Why is NB Power offering My Energy Pilot?

At certain times, electricity use across New Brunswick is much higher than usual. These periods of high electricity demand, sometimes called peak demand, can place additional pressure on the electricity system.

My Energy Pilot will help NB Power understand:

• How households respond when asked to temporarily reduce or delay electricity use during peak periods
• What motivates households to participate
• What actions customers are willing to take
• What communications are most effective
• What makes participation easier or more difficult

What we learn will help inform future energy programs and support a more reliable and efficient electricity system for New Brunswick.

What is electricity demand?

Electricity demand is the amount of electricity being used across the province at a particular time.

Demand changes throughout the day and year. It is usually the highest on cold winter mornings, when many people are heating their homes, making breakfast and getting ready for the day at the same time, creating high demand on the electricity system.  Learn more about peak demand.

What is demand response?

Demand response is a way for customers to help reduce pressure on the electricity system during periods of high demand.

Customers are asked to temporarily reduce or delay some electricity use. For example, they may adjust their thermostat settings or postpone using major appliances or take other simple energy-saving actions.

When many customers take part, these actions can help reduce electricity demand and support a more efficient and reliable electricity system.

What is a demand response event?

A demand response event is a scheduled period when participants are asked to temporarily reduce or delay some electricity use.

My Energy Pilot events will take place on weekday mornings from 7 to 9 a.m. Participants will receive advance notice before each event and can choose the actions that work for their households. There will be a maximum of 12 demand response events scheduled during the pilot. 

Why should I participate?

By participating, you can:

• Receive a $100 incentive if you complete the pilot requirements
• Learn more about periods of high electricity demand and actions households can take 
• Help support a reliable and efficient electricity system in New Brunswick
• Help inform future customer energy programs and communications 

Is My Energy Pilot introducing time-of-use rates?

No. My Energy Pilot does not introduce time-of-use rates or change how participants are billed for electricity.

The pilot is an early learning initiative that may help inform future customer energy programs and rate options. NB Power is planning to introduce an optional time-of-use rate structure in 2028. NB Power is planning to introduce an optional time-of-use rate structure in 2028.

What are time-of-use rates, and is My Energy Pilot testing them?

With time-of-use rates, the price of electricity changes depending on when you use it. Rates are higher during peak periods, when more people are using electricity, and lower during off-peak periods, when fewer people are using electricity.

My Energy Pilot is not testing time-of-use rates, and the rate you pay for electricity will not change because you take part. The pilot is testing whether customers can reduce or move some of their electricity use when demand is high.

What we learn through My Energy Pilot will help us understand what information, communication, and support customers may need as future rate options are introduced.

ELIGIBILITY AND REGISTRATION

Who can participate?

To participate, you must:

• Be an active NB Power residential customer.
• Be the account holder or authorized to act on the account.
• Have an NB Power online account or be willing to create one before registering.
• Have a valid email address. A mobile phone number is also required if you choose to receive text message notifications (if available). 
• Have a communicating smart meter with at least one year of electricity-use data as of December 1, 2026.
• Be willing to participate in weekday morning demand response events from 7 to 9 a.m.
• Be available to participate during the pilot period from December 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

Eligibility will be verified by NB Power during the registration process.

Do I need an NB Power online account?

Yes. An NB Power online account is required to participate. If you do not already have one, you can create one before completing registration. To learn more and create yours today, visit nbpower.com/signup 

Do I need a smart thermostat or special equipment?

No. No special equipment is required to participate. You may use existing technology you already own, such as a smart thermostat, but it is not required.

What happens after I register?

NB Power will review your registration and confirm your eligibility and available space. We'll let you know whether you have been accepted, placed on a waitlist, or are not eligible to participate. If you are accepted, we will send you a welcome package and explain what to expect and how to prepare before the pilot begins.

How are participants selected?

Eligible customers from across New Brunswick will be randomly invited to participate. Invitations will be sent in batches that broadly reflect the geographic distribution of eligible residential customers across the province. Customers who receive an invitation will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the pilot is full. 

Space is limited to 1,000 participants. NB Power will review registrations to confirm eligibility. 

What if I don't qualify for the pilot?

NB Power will review all registrations to confirm eligibility. If you do not meet the pilot eligibility requirements, you will be notified and will not be enrolled in the pilot.

What is the waitlist?

If available spaces are filled, eligible customers may be offered a place on the waitlist.

Being on the waitlist does not guarantee a place in the pilot. We may contact waitlisted customers if a space becomes available or about a future opportunity to participate.

Why is one year of smart meter data required?

NB Power will compare your household's electricity use during demand response events with its typical use during similar periods. At least one year of smart meter data helps us measure changes in electricity use and evaluate the pilot accurately. 

PARTICIPATING IN EVENTS

When will the pilot take place?

The pilot will run between December 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027. Participants will receive event notifications and be asked to participate in demand response events during this period. 

How many demand response events will there be?

Up to 12 demand response events may be called during the pilot period. There may be fewer depending on electricity system needs and other conditions such as weather.

When do demand response events occur?

Demand response events will occur on weekday mornings from 7 to 9 a.m., between December. 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.  

How much notice will I receive before an event?

If an event is called, you will receive notification by 12 p.m. (noon) on the previous business day. If an event is scheduled for a Monday morning, you will be notified by noon on the preceding Friday. 

How will I receive notifications?

You will receive notifications by:

• Email
• If text messaging is available when the pilot begins, you can choose to receive notifications by text.

Your preferred communication method is selected during registration.

What will I be asked to do during an event?

During an event, you will be encouraged to:

• Adjust thermostat settings
• Delay laundry, dishwashing or other major appliance use until after the event ends at 9 a.m.
• Take shorter showers or delay until after the event ends
• Delay electric vehicle charging

You decide which actions are appropriate for your household.

Will NB Power control my thermostat or appliances?

No. NB Power will not control your thermostat, appliances or other equipment as part of this pilot.

How will I know when I can resume normal electricity use?

Your event notification will include the event’s start and end times, which will always be between 7 and 9 a.m. Once the event has ended, you can return to normal electricity use. 

How many events do I have to participate in?

To qualify for the $100 incentive, you must take part in at least 80% of the demand response events called during the pilot. 

Participation in each demand response event is voluntary.

Because the total number of events will depend on electricity-system needs, the exact number will not be known until the pilot ends. With a maximum of 12 events, the most you will have to participate in is 10. 

If the calculation does not result in a whole number, it will be rounded up. For example, if we call 10 events, you will need to participate in 8.

8 events = 6

6 events = 5

4 events = 3

What counts as participating in an event?

An event counts toward your participation requirement when you try to temporarily reduce or delay some electricity use during the scheduled event. 

Participation does not have to be perfect. We encourage you to do what you can during each event. Even small efforts—like delaying laundry, lowering the thermostat slightly, or waiting to run the dishwasher—provide valuable insights and help us understand what works for our customers.

You can choose the actions that are safe and practical for your household. There is no minimum amount of electricity you must reduce for the event to count—every small effort helps us learn.

Is there a penalty if I don’t reduce my electricity use during an event?

No. There is no penalty of you are unable to reduce your electricity use. Every household is different—we simply ask that you make an effort when you can.

How will NB Power know if I participated?

NB Power will use smart meter data to compare your household's electricity use during each demand response event with your typical electricity use during similar periods. 

This information will help us understand whether electricity use changed during the event and evaluate the pilot’s overall results. You do not need to achieve a minimum reduction for your attempt to count as participation.

We only use smart meter data to measure electricity use during the pilot. We are looking at changes in electricity consumption—not monitoring which appliances you use or activities inside your home.

INCENTIVE AND ELECTRICITY BILLS

How do I qualify for the $100 incentive?

To qualify for the $100 incentive, participants must:

• Remain enrolled in the pilot for its duration
• Continue to meet all program eligibility requirements.
• Participate in at least 80% of called demand response events during the pilot.
• Complete two short surveys: one midway through the pilot and one when the pilot ends

How and when will I receive the $100?

If you qualify, you’ll receive your $100 incentive by Interac e‑Transfer using the email address provided during registration.

Eligible participants will receive their incentive following completion of the pilot and verification of participation requirements.

Will I save money on my electricity bill?

My Energy Pilot does not change your electricity rate or how you are billed.

Reducing or delaying electricity use during an event does not guarantee savings on your electricity bill.

Is there a cost to participate?

No. It is free to participate in the My Energy Pilot.

INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

What information will NB Power use?

NB Power will use information provided during registration, relevant account information and smart meter data to administer and evaluate My Energy Pilot.

This information will be used to confirm eligibility, communicate with participants, measure changes in electricity use, issue incentives and evaluate the pilot.  

All information will be used in accordance with NB Power policies and privacy requirements.

What if my account or contact information changes?

Please notify NB Power as soon as possible if:

• You move
• Your account information changes
• Your email address changes
• Your phone number changes

This will help ensure you continue to receive communications and, if eligible, receive your incentive payment. 

Can more than one person in a household participate?

No. Only one participant per household may register for the My Energy Pilot. 

Can I withdraw from the pilot?

Yes. Participation is voluntary, and participants may withdraw from the pilot at any time. Additional details are outlined in the Terms and Conditions. 

Who can I contact if I have questions?

Questions regarding the My Energy Pilot can be directed to:

[email protected] 

Or call our Customer Care team at 1 800 663-6272 (press 5)