Large Load Preliminary Assessment

INVOLVE US EARLY IN YOUR PLANNING

As construction work continues in communities across our province, we want to support you the best we can.

 

To ensure that there is a suitable electrical supply with sufficient capacity to meet the needs of your development, and to avoid (potentially substantial) delays to your in-service date, we advise all Large Load Connections request a Preliminary Assessment as early as possible.  

Large Loads Connections include development projects of:  

  • >1 MW when supplied at the 12.5kV voltage level  

  • >1.5 MW when supplied at the 25kV voltage level  

Please Note: It is the Builder’s responsibility to provide enough lead time for Nova Scotia Power to assess and address the system impacts of the development project. In general, the larger the proposed load, the greater the likelihood that system upgrades will be required. Remember that yours may not be the only large project being built in the area.   


Frequently Asked Questions

What is a preliminary assessment?

Preliminary Assessments (PAs) provide a two-page summary of the distribution assets available to supply the proposed development site. It identifies the remaining capacity of the supply substation and feeder(s) and provides circuit load and fault level details to the customer. The PA determines if a more in-depth Load Impact Study (LIS) is required. If an LIS is needed, a study request letter is required from the customer authorizing NSPI to proceed with the LIS at the customer’s expense.   

Why is it important to involve Nova Scotia Power early in the process?

Avoid Delays!  The connection of large electrical loads to the distribution system can present significant challenges, such as additional feeder circuits or substation upgrades.  The preliminary assessment helps keep this project moving. 

The addition of large loads cannot always be accommodated by existing electrical system assets and can take many months to upgrade.

See more FAQs

Preliminary Assessment Form



Need some additional help?

Contact us at businesssolutions@nspower.ca.