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.
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:
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/