NB Power receives North American customer engagement award for efficiency

2019-02-04

Fredericton, NB – In recognition of the revitalization of their energy efficiency portfolio with a focus on achieving high customer engagement over the past year, NB Power has been awarded the Consumer Engagement Best Practices Award, today, at the 2019 Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) Symposium.

The symposium recognizes energy providers within North America for their leadership in consumer energy engagement and education.

“We are honoured to be recognized for developing robust consumer engagement programs and campaigns that have resulted in strong participation,” said NB Power’s President and CEO, Gaëtan Thomas. “The energy efficiency programs are critical to sustainable energy for future generations and we feel incredibly proud to be able to deliver programs that are helpful, connected and relevant to all New Brunswickers.”

The award is a direct reflection of the positive changes New Brunswickers are making to save energy. By engaging in these programs, homeowners and businesses across the province have saved more than 228,830 gigajoules, totalling over $9.5 million in energy savings for 2018, which represents an incredible amount of savings that benefits every program participant today and has positive environmental impacts for future generations.

Since 2017 NB Power has launched several new efficiency programs.  These include the Total Home Energy Savings Program, the New Home Energy Savings Program, and the Small Business Lighting Program, which are all customer-centric programs that help New Brunswickers achieve energy savings.

The launch of these programs coupled with refreshed and increased marketing of the other new and existing, residential, commercial and industrial programs increased overall awareness of NB Power’s programs from 45 percent in 2017 to 61 percent in 2018, exceeding the target by 11 percent.

“Moving consumers from interest to participation requires developing programs and messaging that address consumers’ needs and wants,” said SECC's President & CEO Patty Durand. “NB Power's energy efficiency portfolio offers a wide range of programs to fit the unique needs of various customer segments, including small businesses and lower-income consumers. The high customer engagement metrics point to the success that electricity providers can have if they thoughtfully design programs around the end customers’ needs.”

NB Power is the trusted delivery agent for New Brunswick’s energy saving programs which are partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Low Carbon Economy Fund and supported by the Government of New Brunswick.

Visit www.nbpower.com/saveenergy for information on residential, commercial and industrial efficiency programs available.

About NB Power

NB Power is the primary electric utility in New Brunswick and was established in 1920. It serves over 400,000 customers with safe, reliable and efficient electricity. The utility is focused on promoting the efficient use of energy in customers’ homes and businesses by enabling and providing new, value-added energy efficient solutions in order to help reduce carbon, better integrate renewable energy and stimulate the economy.

Based on the current generation mix, NB Power is well positioned to provide its customers with electricity generated with consideration for the environment. Currently, 42 per cent of its energy is from renewable sources and 70 per cent is non-emitting when Point Lepreau is added. The utility is on track to contribute to the provincial goal of having as much as 75 per cent of the electricity used in New Brunswick coming from clean, renewable or non-emitting sources by 2020.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sheila Lagacé, communications, NB Power, 506-458-4375,  SLagace@nbpower.com.