New Brunswick utility looking to sign 15-year contract to support clean energy transition
Ottawa, December 18, 2025—The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) welcomes a new Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) for battery storage in New Brunswick, as announced this week by NB Power, the province’s utility.
The REOI calls for a battery energy storage system (BESS) that will total 50 MW for approximately four hours, providing short-duration flexibility needed to manage intermittent wind and solar resources, improve grid reliability and help meet peak demand.
“This new call for proposals will accelerate New Brunswick’s clean energy transition and strengthen the reliability of its electricity system,” said Jean Habel, CanREA’s Senior Director of Policy for Quebec and Atlantic Canada. “Our members are looking forward to providing grid-optimizing, emissions-free electrons to New Brunswickers.”
The REOI comes at the tail end of NB Power’s 2023–2025 strategic plan, Energizing our Future, which commits the utility to achieving a net-zero grid by 2035 while meeting increasing demand, driving economic growth and delivering affordable electricity to the province’s homes and businesses.
The winning bidder will build New Brunswick’s first major battery storage facility, and the developer will be required to commit to a 15–year contract. The selection process will prioritize overall best value, First Nations ownership and participation, and the ease of interconnection with existing transmission lines. However, the REOI is not a legally binding process and will not necessarily result in a direct contract award.
“CanREA recently submitted a procurement best practices guide to NB Power to ensure that the best projects are selected for New Brunswickers,” explained Eddie Oldfield, CanREA’s Manager of Policy for Atlantic Canada. “We would like to see NB Power move toward binding requests for proposals in order to improve the confidence of stakeholders and deliver the best outcome for New Brunswickers.”
Following this REOI process, NB Power intends to work with the federal government to secure funding to assist in the procurement of services from a cost-effective, locally owned BESS. The utility will also consider a project’s ability to expand the system to 100 MW for a four-hour duration.
New Brunswick currently has a total installed capacity of approximately 400 MW of renewable energy, with the lion’s share coming from wind, and that capacity is set to double by 2028. This new storage capacity will be a significant step forward in modernizing the province’s grid and preparing it for increased loads, as industries and end-use sectors like transportation electrify.
“New Brunswick needs more energy storage to support and balance the wind and solar projects that we expect to see in the coming years. This REOI comes at just the right time, and CanREA will support its members throughout the process and continue to advocate for procurement best practices in New Brunswick and across Atlantic Canada,” Oldfield added.
Details about NB Power’s Request for Expression of Interest for BESS can be obtained from the New Brunswick Opportunities Network website. Expressions of Interest must be submitted electronically by April 30, 2026.
Quotes
“This new call for proposals will accelerate New Brunswick’s clean energy transition and strengthen the reliability of its electricity system. Our members are looking forward to providing grid-optimizing, emissions-free electrons to New Brunswickers.”
—Jean Habel, Senior Director of Policy for Quebec and Atlantic Canada, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
“New Brunswick needs more energy storage to support and balance the wind and solar projects that we expect to see in the coming years. This REOI comes at just the right time, and CanREA will support its members throughout the process and continue to advocate for procurement best practices in New Brunswick and across Atlantic Canada.”
“CanREA recently submitted a procurement best practices guide to NB Power to ensure that the best projects are selected for New Brunswickers,” explained Eddie Oldfield, CanREA’s Manager of Policy for Atlantic Canada. “We would like to see NB Power move toward binding requests for proposals in order to improve the confidence of stakeholders and deliver the best outcome for New Brunswickers.”
—Eddie Oldfield, Manager of Policy for Atlantic Canada, Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA)
For media inquiries or interview opportunities, please contact:
Joshua Bleser, Manager of Communications
Canadian Renewable Energy Association
communications@renewablesassociation.ca
About CanREA
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy and energy storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs. For more information on how Canada can use wind energy, solar energy and energy storage to help achieve its net-zero commitments, consult Powering Canada’s Journey to Net-Zero: CanREA’s 2050 Vision. Follow us on LinkedIn here. Learn more at renewablesassociation.ca.