Natural Resources
May 19, 2017
Minister Coady Supports Public Utilities Board’s Approval of Net Metering Program
The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, is pleased with the news that the Public Utilities Board has approved a net metering program for Newfoundland and Labrador. Net metering allows electricity customers to generate power from small scale renewable sources for their own use and supply surplus power to their electricity utility when available.
Once the program is fully implemented, customers will be able to feed power into the distribution system during periods when they generate excess power and draw power from the grid when their generation does not fully meet their needs. As a result of the approval by the Public Utilities Board, net metering customers will now be permitted to install renewable energy systems sized to their electricity load, up to a maximum of 100 kilowatts. As the average homeowner uses 10-15 kilowatts, the five megawatt provincial cap for the program provides an opportunity for homeowners and business to offset their energy consumption.
The Provincial Government worked with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Newfoundland Power to develop the framework for the net metering policy, and will continue to work with them and the regulator to monitor and evaluate the implementation of net metering. The utilities will be updating their websites with additional information in the coming weeks and expect to be in a position to begin accepting customer net metering applications effective July 1, 2017.
This initiative complements commitments outlined in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, available online at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca/. The vision guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province’s economic foundation, enhance services, and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province.
Quotes
“We have worked to ensure that utilities move forward as quickly as possible to develop a net metering program. Homes that are able to supplement their energy needs through net metering will not only save themselves money, but will be supporting energy efficiency and a greener environment.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Minister of Natural Resources
"Hydro is very pleased that the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities has approved the new metering program for the province. We will work closely with Newfoundland Power to implement the program for our electricity customers. The introduction of net metering will enable customers to use small scale renewable technology to offset their own power requirements from the main distribution grid and support environmental sustainability."
Dawn Dalley
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Services
“We look forward to offering interested customers a net metering service option that will provide them with the ability to interconnect their own generating resources to the provincial electricity system. The introduction of this service option is expected to start to be available on July 1, 2017, giving our customers more choices to reduce their electricity bills.”
Gary Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer, Newfoundland Power
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Learn More
For more information on the Order of the Public Utilities Board, please visit: www.pub.nf.ca/orders/order2017/pu/PU17-2017.PDF
Media contacts
Chrysta Collins
Natural Resources
709-729-5777, 690-4436
chrystacollins@gov.nl.ca
Michele Coughlan
Manager, Public Affairs
Newfoundland Power Inc.
709-737-2821, 682-1470
mcoughlan@newfoundlandpower.com
Susanne Hiller
Senior Communications Advisor
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
727-0989
susannehiller@nlh.nl.ca
2017 05 19 3:50 p.m.