Nova Scotia ranks fifth in the 2024 Scorecard, scoring 40 points out of 100. While the province has boosted its per capita spending on energy efficiency programs and leads the nation in Indigenous program spending, other provinces are catching up in terms of overall investment and savings.

Nova Scotia needs to lean on demand-side solutions to clean up its electricity system — both to reduce fossil fuel generation and make demand “flexible” to match wind and solar energy production. Nova Scotia’s electricity savings increased in 2023, and the province leads the country in spending on programs for Indigenous peoples. However, other provinces have also increased spending and savings, displacing the province from its former top ranking in efficiency programming.  

In September 2024, the province announced plans to move to Tier 3 of the national model building codes for low rise buildings by 2027 and Tier 3 for large buildings by 2029, but has not set a timeline to reaching net-zero energy-ready code requirements. The province could also look to Québec’s Environmental Performance Act for guidance on adopting mandatory energy and emissions performance standards for existing buildings.

Nova Scotia has an opportunity to better align energy use with renewable production and improve grid resilience through various strategies and programs to encourage consumers to modify their long-term energy consumption habits. Examples of this demand-side management include energy efficiency initiatives, rebates for energy-efficient appliances, and education campaigns.