With net-zero goals looming and pressure mounting to modernize, Canadian electric utilities are confronting a defining issue of how to deliver reliable, affordable service without defaulting to costly infrastructure projects. The answer might lie in Non-Wires Alternatives (NWAs) – a toolkit of innovative, often more sustainable solutions that sidestep the need for traditional capital-intensive upgrades. 

What Are NWAs? 

Non-Wires Alternatives encompass strategies such as demand response, energy storage, targeted energy efficiency programs, and distributed energy resources like rooftop solar or community wind. Rather than expanding substations or building new lines, NWAs allow utilities to solve localized capacity or reliability issues with precision and flexibility. 

A Made-in-Canada Opportunity 

Canada’s electricity grid is already one of the cleanest in the world, thanks to its reliance on hydro, nuclear, and an increasing share of renewables. But many provincial systems are also aging, and energy demand is climbing – particularly with the rise of electric vehicles and electrified heating. 

Provinces like British Columbia and Nova Scotia are leading early efforts. BC Hydro has introduced initiatives such as its Large Demand Response program, which provides financial incentives to reduce load during peak demand periods. It’s complemented by Peak Saver, a residential engagement program offered through a partnership with Mysa. 

Meanwhile, Nova Scotia Power is investing $354 million in grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), including three 50 MW lithium-ion facilities to enhance reliability in rural communities. These batteries are also part of a broader resilience strategy aimed at supporting renewable integration. Legal insight into the initiative can be found here. 

What’s Driving Momentum?

• Cost avoidance: NWAs can delay or eliminate the need for major grid investments, reducing strain on ratepayers (BC Hydro actions).
• Climate policy alignment: Provincial and federal mandates, including Alberta’s evolving framework, make NWAs an attractive compliance tool (Government of Alberta Backgrounder).
• Customer engagement: Empowering customers to participate in grid solutions builds trust and loyalty.

Barriers to Break Through

Despite their promise, NWAs face regulatory and financial headwinds. In Ontario, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) developed a framework for evaluating NWAs alongside traditional infrastructure through its Guide to Assessing Non-Wires Alternatives. The Ontario Energy Board is also incorporating these options into long-term regional planning. 

Alberta is exploring its own version of flexible, forward-thinking planning. The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is shifting to an “optimally planned” transmission model, while regulators weigh policies on renewables and distributed energy (Alberta Renewables Inquiry). 

Looking Ahead 

As Canada's grid transitions to support a clean, digital, and distributed energy future, NWAs offer a pathway that's not only cost-effective but also aligned with community needs and climate goals. The question is may no be longer whether or not we embrace NWAs – but how fast we can scale them. 

Author 

Senior Business Development Manager, CIET