SEE IT HERE: Action Plan Released for Future of New Brunswick Power

On May 25, 2026, the Government of New Brunswick released a comprehensive action plan in response to recommendations made through the independent review of NB Power. The Government will act on all 50 of the review recommendations; 44 recommendations were accepted, while six require further analysis.

The Atlantica Centre for Energy provided a summary of the Report from the independent review Committee: The next steps in NB Power’s future.

Action Plan highlights:

Actions announced by the Government include:

• Developing a new long-term provincial energy policy aligned with NB Power’s future needs and the province’s economic growth objectives (previously announced as part of the Government’s new Economic Development Strategy);
• Advancing discussions around greater regional co-operation and integration among utilities in the Maritimes, including exploring the concept of a Maritime independent system operator (ISO).
• Reviewing and modernizing the Electricity Act and broader energy regulatory framework to improve transparency, accountability and long-term planning.
• Creating an energy sector consumer advocate’s office to better represent residential and small business customers.
• Improving accountability with respect to performance measurement, staffing reviews, project management and customer service within NB Power. Improving performance at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station was specifically highlighted.
• Strengthening oversight and financial planning for major projects such as those at the Mactaquac and Belledune generating stations.

Implementation approach:

The Action Plan assigns actions based on the implementation timeline and their current status.

Some highlighted actions include:

“NB Power should not lead economic development activities”

The New Brunswick Growth Office will issue guidelines to its economic agents establishing parameters for economic pursuits that implicate NB Power and the use of electricity.
Timeline: May 2026 – December 2026

“Support competitiveness of export-dependent sectors, including self-generation options”

GNB is evaluating options to ensure the competitiveness of export-dependent sectors including self-generation options that do not cause an undue burden on other consumers.
Timeline: May 2026 – March 2027

“Explore a Maritime Independent System Operator”

Initiate discussions with other Maritime provinces to explore the concept and advance regional integration and cooperation. Confirm interest in exploring a Maritime ISO pending those discussions.
Timeline: May 2026 – March 2027

“Pursue regional integration and cooperation at the political level”

Premier has signaled to Atlantic Energy Collective that regional collaboration around energy will be critical. Energy Minister and Deputy Minister will work with colleagues to propose a path forward for Premiers.
Timeline: May 2026 – March 2027

“Expand IRP scope to include regional cooperation opportunities”

The current IRP is developed and is scheduled to be approved in 2026. Further work is needed to consider this recommendation in the next IRP process. NB Power will provide and report on progress and next steps through quarterly reporting.
Timeline: October 2026 – March 2029

Some actions that require further analysis include:

• Integrated energy planning: Consider increased natural gas deployment for heating within energy policy (in progress, short-term);
• High-performing organization: Begin work on financial restructuring and potential corporatization of NB Power (upcoming, long-term);
• High-performing organization: Assess writing down the Energy Supply Cost Variance Account (upcoming, long-term); and,
• Nuclear operations: Operationally separate Point Lepreau from other NB Power assets (upcoming, medium-term).

Resources:

• Final report: Fit for the Future – A Comprehensive Review of NB Power
• Action Plan webpage: https://www.gnb.ca/en/topic/environment-resources/energy-mineral/nbpower-action-plan.html
• Action Plan news release: https://www.gnb.ca/en/news/n-b.2026.05.action-plan-strengthen-power-and-position-province-player-national-energy-sector.html
• CTV interview with Energy Minister, René Legacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4fIwViss354
• NB Power response to independent review: https://www.nbpower.com/en/about-us/accountability-reports/accountability/nb-power-response-to-government-of-new-brunswick-review/
• The next steps in NB Power’s future: https://www.atlanticaenergy.org/the-next-steps-in-nb-powers-future/

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