June 12, 2025 — The Nova Scotia Energy Board has approved an application from NS Power for a Next Generation Network Security Design project at an estimated cost of $1,814,216.

As per the application, which was submitted on April 7, 2025, prior to the utility detecting a data breach that is currently under investigation by the Board, the project aims to enhance NS Power's existing information technology (IT) network and firewall infrastructure to effectively manage cyber threats, resolve operational complexities, and facilitate future business objectives.

While documentation on all capital projects and their approvals is always available on the Board’s website, the Board does not typically announce decision releases about NS Power investments of less than $5 million. However, given the increased focus on cyber security, the Board is providing notice of this decision.

While the approved project is related to IT network and firewall infrastructure, the cause of the recent data breach remains under investigation. At this time, it is not known whether this specific project would have prevented or mitigated the breach. As per the application, the project has been in progress for more than a year and has an in-service date of September 2025.

Importantly, the Board's approval of this project does not preclude it from assessing the adequacy of NS Power’s IT systems as part of the Board's ongoing investigation into the data breach. The Board is working with cybersecurity experts to conduct a full review of whether NS Power acted prudently before, during, and after the event.

To read the decision letter, click HERE.

All documents related to this matter can be found by searching "M12201" in our database HERE.

Media Contact:
Rebecca Brown
Communications Officer
Nova Scotia Energy Board
rebecca.brown@novascotia.ca
902 424 9282