NB Power says customers have role to play in energy efficiency
Changing customer behaviour only way to actually reduce energy consumption, says Gaëtan Thomas
The head of NB Power says one of the biggest challenges the utility faces in becoming more energy efficient is getting its customers to change their behaviour when it comes to energy consumption.
Thomas and Neil Larlee, NB Power's director of strategic planning and regulatory affairs, presented the utility's efforts to become more energy efficient to the provincial legislature's select committee on climate change on Tuesday afternoon.
Thomas said the utility will be investing $150 million in smart grid technology over the next 10 years and that it's already invested more than $17 million in energy efficiency programs, such as the rebate program for heat pump installation.
- NB Power may be forced to pay customers to drop electric heat
- Company hopes to 'Stash' energy for consumers during peak hours
But with high energy usage at peak times, changing customer behaviour is the only way to actually reduce energy consumption, says Thomas.
Green Party Leader David Coon, who is a member of the select committee on climate change, says the measures NB Power is taking aren't enough.
"Without any specific plan to reduce carbon pollution, without any specific plan to tackle climate change to do its part — as NB Power pointed out, they're not intending for their emissions to go down in the foreseeable future," he said.
Coon contends a clear climate action plan is necessary.
"We need a plan with clear targets that are measurable targets over a period of time that tackle all sectors — residential, commercial and industrial, that addresses all fuels, not just electricity … and one that overcomes the up-front capital cost barrier," he said.
The select committee will hear from more experts on the subject and will then consult with New Brunswickers across the province to find out what they want in a climate action plan.