FIDER: A DEREGULATION TOOLKIT FOR SMALL-MARKET ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS: NOVA SCOTIA AS A CASE STUDY

Abstract

This thesis presents a practical framework, termed the FIDER Toolkit, for guiding the deregulation of electricity markets in small jurisdictions, using Nova Scotia as a case study. Drawing on global best practices from Ireland, New Zealand, and Singapore, the toolkit identifies five core components essential for successful market reform: Demand-Side Management (DSM), Market Access and Liquidity, Renewable Energy Integration, Energy Security and Diversification, and ISO Governance and Independence. Each component is supported by measurable indicators and actionable strategies. The research applies the toolkit to Nova Scotia’s electricity market, highlighting its structural limitations under a regulated monopoly and evaluating pathways to a competitive, transparent, and resilient energy system through the establishment of an Independent System Operator (ISO). The findings offer tailored recommendations to support Nova Scotia’s transition and provide a scalable model for similar small-market jurisdictions undergoing energy reform.