Overview

The Antigonish Grid Modernization Project is a major infrastructure initiative designed to transform the Town of Antigonish’s electric utility into a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient system. The total estimated investment is $19.4 million, half of which is funded by the federal government through the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs). Regulatory approval was obtained from the NS Utility and Review Board in December 2023. The Town of Antigonish was the only municipality in Canada to receive SREP funding. This project is a cornerstone of the Town’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The primary goal is to improve reliability and efficiency while enabling the community to transition to renewable sources of energy. The project is broken down into three phases:

Phase I – New Substation & 25 kV Circuit Upgrade

Overview

Two modern, fully redundant 30/40 MVA power transformers will be installed in a new substation being built off Post Road to replace several existing NS Power metering points. Three new 25 kV distribution circuits will connect the existing power distribution system to this facility.

Key Benefits

• Reduces outages caused by storm damage to woodline-fed circuits. 
• Strengthens capacity for residential electrification, EVs, and renewable energy integration.

Status

• Civil works started in June 2025; transformers are expected to arrive and be installed early this fall.
• Interconnection work associated with connecting to Nova Scotia Power’s 138kV transmission line is ongoing.
• New 25kV circuits have been installed and are ready to be energized from the new substation (Hwy 104 – Market St. to Trunk 7, Old Hwy 104 – Trunk 7 to Church St., Hwy 104 crossing to Nova Landing). 

Phase II – Reconfiguring the Distribution Grid

What’s Included

• Dual voltage transformer change outs necessary for the voltage conversion are ongoing throughout the town’s electric distribution system. 
• Additional minor power line distribution upgrades will be carried out through the town’s electric utility grid in preparation for the voltage conversion.  
• Enhance resiliency, especially to ensure uninterrupted power to critical facilities like the hospital. 

Why It Matters

• Improves redundancy, so power can be rerouted, and repairs can be made without long outages. 
• Ensures future reliability as demand grows from residential development and community district electrification projects such as StFX University. 

Timeline 

• Conversion is scheduled to begin in 2026, following energization of the new substation.

Phase III – Smart Meter Deployment Town‑Wide

Overview

• Rollout of advanced smart meters to approximately 3,500 residences and 500 businesses. 

Benefits

• Empowers customers with real-time energy use data and helps manage costs.
• Improves utility tools for outage detection, system management, and quality monitoring.
• Enables demand-side management programs to minimize peak loads. 

Timeline 

Installation planned for 2027 through 2028.

Why This Project Matters to You

Challenge	How We’re Addressing It
Frequent Outages	Bypass vulnerable circuits in vegetated areas; allows quicker restoration.
Limited Capacity	New substation meets growing demand from electrification of heating and transportation sectors.
Renewables Intergration	Enables more solar, wind, and storage which is critical for hitting 80 % renewable electricity by 2030

Project Timeline & Funding Overview 

• December 2022: SREP $9.7 M funding awarded conditional on regulatory approval 
• December 2023: NSUARB approves $19.4 million project. 
• January 2024: Procurement of long lead item such at power transformers 
• July 2024: Federal government announcement of $9.7 million via the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs) 
• October 2024: Site clearing at 58 Market St. completed 
• January 2025: 25kV circuitry work commenced 
• June 2025: Civil site preparation is under way. 
• Fall 2025: Power transformers delivery & assembly of substation. 
• 2026: Phase II Transformers swaps out and circuit upgrades continue. 
• 2027–2028: Smart meters installed as part of Phase III. 
• By March 2029: All phases are expected to be completed. 

Funding is split 50/50 between the Town and the federal grant through SREPs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

1. Why is the Town building a new substation?

The new substation will replace several aging Nova Scotia Power interconnections with one modern, town-owned facility. It improves reliability, supports future energy growth, and enables us to transition to more renewable energy.  

2. Will this project affect my electricity rates? 

No immediate rate increases are planned because of this project. Federal funding covers 50% of the cost, and the project is designed to reduce long-term maintenance and outage costs.  All rate increases require an application to the Utility and Review Board which involves a public hearing.  

3. How will the smart meters benefit me? 

Smart meters provide real-time data on your electricity usage, helping you make informed choices about when and how you use power. They also help the Town detect outages faster and improve grid management.  

4. When will smart meters be installed at my home or business? 

Smart meter installation is planned for 2027 through 2028. You will receive advance notice with full instructions before any installation takes place.  

5. Will I lose power during the upgrades? 

We aim to minimize service disruptions. Any planned outages will be communicated in advance through notices, emails, and the Town’s project dashboard.  

6. How does this project support renewable energy? 

By upgrading the grid and substations, we can safely integrate more wind, solar, and battery storage. This helps the Town meet its goal of sourcing 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030.  

7. How is this being funded? 

The project is funded 50% by the Town and 50% by the Government of Canada through the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs).