Canadian Energy Efficiency Scorecard:
Provinces and Territories
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia surpassed Québec to place second overall in this year’s Scorecard, having earned 50 out of 100 points. The province’s rank was propelled by improvements in energy efficiency programs and the strength of their results.
Efficiency pioneer needs new goals
Nova Scotia surpassed Québec to place second overall in this year’s Scorecard, having earned 50 out of 100 points. The province’s rank was propelled by improvements in energy efficiency programs and the strength of their results.
Nova Scotia has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 under its landmark Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act. While the province is a leader in energy efficiency programs and policies, it has not yet directed these long-standing strengths towards its net-zero emission objectives. For instance, there is no plan to implement a net-zero energy ready building code, and Efficiency Nova Scotia programs are held back by outdated cost-effectiveness rules that fail to encourage broad participation in efficiency solutions.
Having created the first energy efficiency utility in Canada, Nova Scotia is a pioneer in the field. The province could become a trailblazer again by showing how to use energy efficiency to achieve net-zero emissions in an affordable and equitable way.
Strengths
Low-income energy efficiency
Efficiency Nova Scotia’s approved 2023–2025 demand-side management plan will triple investments in low-income, Mi’kmaw and diverse communities.
Peak electricity savings
Nova Scotia leads in shaving its peak electricity consumption through long-lasting energy efficiency measures. These also reduce power bills and GHGs by saving energy throughout the year.
Opportunities for Improvement
Energy efficiency resource standard
Mandatory renewable energy targets are decarbonizing the province’s electricity grid. Similar targets for energy savings are needed to achieve net-zero emissions.
Net-zero building code
The province has committed to adopting the 2020 national energy code for buildings sooner than most other provinces. However, it should align its use of this code with its net-zero emission goals.
Performance-based utility regulation
Linking Nova Scotia Power revenues to achieving an affordable and equitable net-zero emissions future would follow leading energy efficiency jurisdictions in the U.S.
Policy Area Scores
Programs
Nova Scotia
National Median
Points possible
21 points
11.25 points
40 points
Enabling Policies
Nova Scotia
National Median
Points possible
13 points
9 points
16 points
Buildings
Nova Scotia
National Median
Points possible
4 points
4 points
19.5 points
Transportation
Nova Scotia
National Median
Points possible
7 points
6 points
17.25 points
Industry
Nova Scotia
National Median
Points possible
5 points
4 points
7 points
Energy use in Canada
Alberta
19/100 Points
British Columbia
55/100 Points
Manitoba
29/100 Points
New Brunswick
30/100 Points
Newfoundland and Labrador
17/100 Points
Nova Scotia
50/100 Points
Ontario
39/100 Points
Prince Edward Island
39/100 Points
Québec
48/100 Points
Saskatchewan
16/100 Points
Yukon
35/100 Points
1
British Columbia
2
Nova Scotia
3
Québec
4
Prince Edward Island
5
Ontario
6
Yukon
7
New Brunswick
8
Manitoba
9
Alberta
10
Newfoundland and Labrador
11
Saskatchewan
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