Nova Scotia Power customers are withholding payment because they don't trust their bills.

Customer non-payment at Nova Scotia Power has roughly doubled to about eight per cent after last year's cyberattack disrupted smart meters, and the utility says it will reconcile estimated bills once true meter readings resume and aims to fully reconnect the network by the end of March.

Many Nova Scotia Power customers have withheld full payments after receiving unusually high bills following last year's cybersecurity breach. The utility lost connection with customers' smart meters and has issued estimated bills for about 10 months. Company officials say estimating has caused frustration and expect the network to be fully reconnected by the end of March. The Nova Scotia Energy Board has opened a separate investigation into billing systems and scheduled a public hearing in July. Key facts: - Customer arrears have roughly doubled to about eight per cent, up from around four per cent before the breach. - Nova Scotia Power says it has been issuing estimated bills since the smart-meter connection was lost and that any overcharges will be deducted once a true meter reading is obtained. - The utility has not been charging interest or late fees since the breach; accrued balances to date will remain penalty-free and can be rolled into an equal billing plan. - The Nova Scotia Energy Board announced a standalone investigation into billing and set a public hearing for July; a proposed class-action lawsuit has also been filed. Summary: The increase in unpaid accounts reflects customer distrust tied to ongoing estimated billing after the cyberattack. Officials say the network should be reconnected by the end of March and that the Energy Board's investigation and July public hearing are the next formal steps; further outcomes are undetermined at this time.