Electricity in the NWT is produced, delivered, and regulated by several key players. Here’s a simplified overview:

GNWT

• Sets overall energy policy and direction, including goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting renewable energy.
• Issues policy directions to the Public Utilities Board to guide how utilities plan, operate, and set rates.
• Funds and supports energy projects, especially in small or remote communities, and helps offset rate impacts on residents.
• Departments involved: Infrastructure (INF)

Public Utilities Board (PUB)

• The independent regulator for electricity in the NWT.
• Approves rates and rules for how utilities charge customers, ensuring rates are fair, reasonable, and based on real costs.
• Oversees utility planning and operations, including the new Integrated Power System Planning (IPSP) process, to ensure long-term reliability and sustainability.
• Balances interests between customers, utilities, and government to keep the system fair and financially sound.

Electric Utilities

There are 2 main utilities in the NWT:

• Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) – owned by the GNWT; provides most of the electricity across the territory, especially in smaller communities.
• Naka Power Utilities (NWT)– a private public utility serving operates in Yellowknife, Enterprise, Kakisa, Fort Providence, and Wekweeti. .

Their main roles:

• Generate, transmit, and distribute electricity to homes and businesses.
• Maintain and upgrade infrastructure like power plants, transmission lines, and local grids.
• Propose rate changes and plans to the PUB for approval.

Indigenous Governments and Community Governments

• Partners and leaders in developing clean energy projects.
• Increasingly involved in local power generation (e.g., solar, wind, biomass) through Independent Power Producer (IPP) agreements or Net Metering programs.
• Engaged in planning and decision-making through consultation and the IPSP process.
• Advancing their own local and regional energy projects

Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA)

• Acts as the GNWT’s main delivery partner for efficiency and community energy programs.
• Offers rebates for energy-efficient products, renewable energy solutions, building improvements, home and business energy evaluations, and community energy planning assistance.
• Operates regional offices across the NWT to deliver hands-on support.