In 2019, we announced the Net Metering Program would offer a credit for excess renewable power at a rate of 7.5 cents per kWh until the end of 2021.
As we began approaching the summer 2021, we started a review process. This helped us decide the pricing credit for 2022 and beyond. A part of the review process included gathering input through 2 online sessions, 2 surveys and engaging with:
- customers
- the solar community
- Indigenous groups
- other interested parties
Thanks to everyone who took part and offered their feedback.
What We Heard From You
Through our online sessions, surveys and discussions we compiled key themes. The major takeaways include:
- Pricing Fairness
- There is no clear agreement on what a “fair” price for net metering is.
- The more likely a customer is to support net metering, the higher they think it should be.
- Expand Scope and Innovation
- Participants felt the scope of the net metering consultation was too narrow.
- There’s interest in broader distribution energy resources — beyond net metering.
- Collaborate on Ideas
- Customers want to be part of future conversations on net metering and other new, innovating technologies.
- Open Communication
- It is crucial for us to be transparent with our communication.
- Participation:
- There continues to be interest in participating in the Net Metering Program.
For a more a detailed snapshot of what we heard during the online sessions and surveys view our feedback summary report.
Deciding on the Right Price
The decision to extend the current pricing credit of 7.5 cents per kWh until Mar. 31, 2026 wasn’t easy. We believe this price point allows for:
- stability to existing net metering customers
- informed decision making for new participants wanting to invest in solar installations
- time to allow us to build a plan that responds to growing customer interest in reducing their carbon footprint by purchasing, generating, managing, and storing renewable power close to their home
In developing our pricing approach, we had to balance a number of factors:
- Ensuring customers interested in solar generation are given the opportunity to do so without being unfairly subsidized by customers who can’t afford the upfront cost.
- The price paid for any extra power from net metering customers must reflect the uncertainty in knowing how much power we’re going to get, and when.
- We only get to buy renewable power that net metering customers don’t use themselves.
- While the Net Metering Program customers have extra power to sell us during the day when they’re producing lots of power, we have less need for the power then because the provincial demand for power is lower.
- It is more cost-effective for us to meet our 2050 emission reduction goals through utility-scale low-or non-emitting projects.
