Newfoundland and Labrador
Energy Efficiency Programs See All 
Energy efficiency programs secure energy savings through various strategies such as audits, retrofits, training for building tradespeople, “people-centred” or behavioural efficiency strategies, and customized industrial programs.
Energy Efficiency Program Administration
Energy efficiency programs are administered by two utility companies: Newfoundland Power (investor owned) and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (publicly owned). Both utilities are regulated by the Newfoundland and Labrador Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities (the Public Utilities Board).
The government also administers efficiency programs, such as the low-income Home Energy Savings administered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and other non-regulated fuels programs. Government programs are supported with funds from the Government of Canada’s Low-Carbon Economy Leadership Fund.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Energy Efficiency Targets
The utitilies’ TakeCHARGE program energy savings targets are approved by and reported to the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities. The 2021-2025 CDM plan was submitted to the regulator in 2021.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Energy Efficiency as a Resource
The utilities complete 5-year conservation and demand management plans. A new 2021-2025 plan was submitted to the regulator in 2021.
This plan incorporates electrification initiatives. The Plan is currently being reviewed by the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities.
The most recent potential study was completed in 2019, covering the 2020-2034 time period.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Efficiency Potential Study and Energy Planning
The Electrification, Conservation and Demand Management Plan: 2021-2025 was submitted to the Board on December 16, 2020. It remains under reviewed. This is the fourth consecutive plan implemented by Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro under the takeCHARGE partnership.
The next potential study is expected to be completed in 2024 to create the following five year plan (2026-2030).
Last reviewed: November 2022
Cost-Effectiveness Testing
The 2021-2025 Electrification, Conservation and Demand Management Plan screens programs based on the Total Resource Cost Test (primary) and the Program Administrator Cost Test (secondary). Electrification measures are screened using a modified Total Resource Cost test (mTRC), and rate impacts are validated through a rate impact analysis.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Evaluation, Measurement and Verification
Newfoundland’s takeCHARGE programs are reviewed informally and internally on an annual basis, and each program is evaluated formally and externally every two to three years. An impartial program evaluator conducts effect, market and process evaluations, as well as free-ridership and spillover analyses on a regular basis.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Support for low-income energy efficiency programs
There are no legislative or regulatory requirements regarding low-income programs.
In 2022 takeCHARGE launched a Low Income Program that provides energy efficiency kits to income qualified customers at no charge.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Enabling Policies See All
Enabling policies refer to policies, regulations, and other activities that build supportive infrastructure and policy frameworks to advance energy efficiency in a province.
Support for Financing
PACE Financing
None identified.
Programs
Between 2017 and 2020, the Energy Efficiency Loan Program offered low-interest loans that could be financed on utility bills. Qualifying customers received financing from their utility for heat pumps, insulation or home energy assessments. Eligible applicants could receive financing for up to $10,000 over five years at an interest rate of prime plus 1.5%. The program had a total of 482 participants through its lifetime.
Both Newfoundland Hydro and Newfoundland Power offer on-bill financing through the takeCHARGE program. Up to $10,000 is available to customers for efficiency upgrades including heat pumps and insulation. The program offers a 60 month term. The interest rate varies - NL Power currently charges an interest rate of 9.45%.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Research and Development
Dedicated innovation funding
None identified.
Pilots, projects and demonstrations
NL Hydro concluded a pilot where 124 smart thermostats were installed and used to control heating to complete demand response events in L'Anse au Loup.
Program innovation
NL Hydro plans to begin using Simptek B360 to complete virtual energy audits in isolated diesel communities. The goal is to perform energy analyses of ~50% of commercial and residential customers in selected regions to identify the top 10% highest energy use of residential and commercial customers and develop customized plans to reduce their energy use.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Lead by example
Buildings
The 2011 Building Better Buildings Policy commits to ensuring that government-funded buildings that were built, or received substantial renovations, exceed the 1997 Model National Energy Code for Buildings by 25%, strive to achieve a LEED Silver standard, and complete a life-cycle project analysis.
Vehicle Fleets
NL Hydro currently has one EV in its fleet, with two more being purchased in 2021. NL Hydro's intends to continue integrating more EV's into their fleet each year, with a target to have a minimum of 42 fleet EV's in use by the year 2030.
Last reviewed: November 2021
Grid Modernization
Advanced metering
Utilities in the province have installed one-way meters for many residential and non-residential customers, though two-way meter coverage remains lower, with 20% of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro's residential customers, and 1% of non-residential customers, having them installed.
Non-wires alternatives
No actitivities identified.
Conservation voltage reduction
Newfoundland Power uses conservation voltage reduction to manage peak load in the winter. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro does have CVR capability, but has not used it for energy conservations purposes to date and there are no immediate plans to do so.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Carbon Pricing
Proceeds are used to offset reduced provincial fuel excise taxes. The province has committed to matching federal support from the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund for energy efficiency, fuel switching, and industrial process improvements (in the amount of $44.7 million), though it is unclear how carbon pricing revenues are earmarked for such purposes. The province did not report the amount of funding from carbon pricing revenues for energy efficiency improvements in 2020 and 2021.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Buildings See All
Buildings are a significant and often neglected component of Canada’s infrastructure, and high-performance buildings are important for our quality of life, physical and mental health, and economic productivity
Building Codes
Housing and Small Buildings
The Province’s Municipalities Act requires municipal councils to adopt “the National Building Code of Canada and supplements or amendments to that Code” (Section 414 (3)). This would include the 2015 NBC revisions. There is no provincial building code.
Large Buildings
There is no provincial building code in the Province, though the Municipalities Act requires municipal councils to adopt the National Building Code and subsequent amendments to the code when making regulations pertaining to buildings.
Stretch or Step Codes
The Municipalities Act (Sect 414 (3)) allows municipal councils to adopt standards that exceed the requirements of the National Building Code of Canada, plus supplements and amendments. The province has not provided performance criteria, or a formal program, for a stretch or step code.
Net-zero energy ready commitment
No commitment to net-zero energy ready codes.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Building Code Compliance
There have been no code compliance studies conducted in the province, though the province has develoepd two publicly available training guides: Guide to Building Energy Efficient Homes and Small Buildings – 2016, and Guide to Better Building Envelopes for Large Buildings – 2016.
The 7 largest municipalities in the province (covering about 40% of the the province's population) have a working group to share information and build capacity on a range of municipal codes, regulations and related issue. Energy codes is an agenda item for the group.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Home Energy Rating and Disclosure
Mandatory home energy rating and disclosure: No
Home energy labelling voluntary or pilot program: No
Last reviewed: November 2022
Building Energy Rating and Disclosure
Mandatory large building energy rating and disclosure: No
Voluntary building benchmarking and transparency program: No
Last reviewed: November 2022
Appliance and Equipment Market Transformation
| Space Heating | Windows | Water Heating | |
| Research and development | - | - | - |
| Pilots and demonstrations | Newfoundland Power is studying ductless mini-split heat pumps. | - | - |
| Information and awareness | takeCharge incentive programs and LEED® Silver requirements for public buildings create market pull. | TakeCharge incentive programs and LEED® Silver requirements for public buildings create market pull. | - |
| Technology and installation training | For provincial programs, heat pump installers must be journey refrigeration mechanics. | Industry-led training includes windows. | Industry-led training includes water heaters. |
| Upstream or downstream incentives | The province offers downstream incentives for heat pumps. | - | - |
| Regulation, codes and standards | - | - | - |
Last reviewed: August 2020
Appliance and Equipment Standards
Newfoundland and Labrador harmonizes with federal appliance and equipment energy efficiency regulations.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Efficiency Requirements for Government Supported Housing
Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2009 Social Housing Plan, titled Secure Foundations, notes improving energy efficiency to current standards as part of general upgrades. Repairs and renovations continue to be supported in the province through federal and provincial funds. There are no specific budgets earmarked for energy efficiency, or efficiency standards for new or existing buildings noted in provincial policy documents.
Last reviewed: August 2019
Transportation See All
Policies tracked in the transporation area reflect the potential energy savings of closer integration of private transportation with buildings and electricity grids.
Zero-Emission Vehicles Mandate
There is no zero-emission vehicle mandate in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Electric Vehicle Charging Program
In Budget 2019, the Province announced that, through an investment of $2 million, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment, in collaboration with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, will pursue funding opportunities with the Federal Government to enhance the electric vehicle charging station network.
In 2020-21, the province completed a network of 14 new fast charging stations, running from St. John's to Port aux Basques.
The utilities’ 2021-2025 conservation plan includes an electrification component, which proposes residential and commercial vehicle and charging port incentive programs (Level 2 chargers).
Last reviewed: November 2021
EV and PHEV Financial Incentives
Consumer Incentives
Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2021 budget committed $500,000 for an electric vehicle adoption accelerator program, which will encourage the purchase of electric vehicles through rebates to their residents of up to $2,500. This rebate program launched in September 2021, retroactive for vehicles purchased after May 31, 2021.
In their 2021-2025 conservation and demand management plan, both utilities in Newfoundland and Labrador have also proposed vehicle incentives for both residential and commercial vehicles. None are yet in place, however.
Commercial / Fleet electrification Incentives
The TakeCharge consumer EV incentives that launched September 1, 2021 (retroactive to May 1, 2021) are also available to businesses, non-profit organizations, and municipalities. The utilities’ proposed 2021-2025 Electrification, Conservation and Demand Management plan includes incentives for commercial and municipal electric vehicles and charging stations.
Last reviewed: November 2022
“EV Ready” Building Code
There are no provisions in building codes to support EV/PHEV charging infrastructure.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Industry See All
In recognition that the industrial sector is highly varied across Canada, this database tracks policies that are broadly applicable to all industrial subsectors and provinces.
Energy Management
Utilities in Newfoundland and Labrador offer custom solutions for industrial efficiency which include support for feasibility studies and energy audits. There are no programs supporting EMIS, training, or energy management systems.
Last reviewed: November 2022
Co-generation / Combined Heat and Power
No policy or programs to support cogeneration / combined heat and power were identified.
Last reviewed: August 2019
