New Brunswick’s NB Power has agreed to a multi-year agreement with Siemens Canada to upgrade province’s electrical system, which will enable NB Power to offer its customers stable rates, and create a Centre of Competence.

New Brunswick Premier David Alward notes, “Our Energy Blueprint laid out the policy and vision that will create a foundation of success for NB Power through its agreement with Siemens. This new venture will enable NB Power to place an even greater focus on its customers.”

In addition to benefitting ratepayers, Alward said the agreement will also help the province’s economy. “We are pleased that Siemens Canada will create a Centre of Competence that will add approximately 40 new jobs in our province. Siemens Canada’s presence in our province will be a tremendous catalyst for new opportunities in our communities, particularly in the Information and Communications Technology sector.”

NB Power reports that its collaboration with Siemens Canada enables the companies to “work together to accelerate the benefits of reducing and shifting demand while ensuring Siemens’ global best practices are part of the implementation.”

As part of NB Power’s Reduce and Shift Demand (RASD) strategy, implementing Siemens’ Smart Grid programs lets customers control and manage their energy usage. It also gives consumers more choices through smart communicating thermostats; energy smart appliances; self-serve options for energy shifting; information dashboards; and modern energy thermal storage devices.

Dr. Jan Mrosik, Global Head of Siemens Smart Grid, says, “This partnership presents us with the unique opportunity to showcase Siemens’ world class Smart Grid technology and expertise with a fully integrated and innovative utility like NB Power. We are very excited about this partnership and chance to work together.”

NB Power President and Chief Executive Officer, Gaëtan Thomas, adds: “The way we use and generate electricity is significantly changing in New Brunswick. We want to place our customers at the centre of our electrical system and work with them to modernize the way our energy is consumed in the future. The introduction of Smart Grid initiatives will provide choices for customers to control their future electricity cost. This agreement will have a positive impact on our customers, the provincial economy, as well as the environment.”

NB Power serves more than 345,000 customers.

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