HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's energy regulator says it will hold hearings next month on a commercial agreement aimed at satisfying its concerns about the proposed $1.5-billion Maritime Link project.

The hearings will be held at the offices of the Utility and Review Board in Halifax from Nov. 6 to 8.

Earlier this week, Nova Scotia energy company Emera said it had met conditions outlined earlier this year by the board by reaching a commercial agreement with Nalcor Energy, Newfoundland and Labrador's Crown-owned utility.

The Maritime Link involves building a subsea cable that would link Nova Scotia with Newfoundland, allowing Nova Scotia to buy energy generated by the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric plant, which is under construction in Labrador.

In July, the board said Emera (TSX:EMA) would have to ensure that Nova Scotians have access to the best price for surplus electricity from Muskrat Falls based on market conditions.

The regulator concluded that if that condition was met, the Maritime Link would represent the cheapest energy solution for Nova Scotia, but only by a narrow margin.

The board's ruling also allows for the proponents to find another arrangement that would ensure Nova Scotians have access to market-priced energy.

The board confirmed Monday that a subsidiary of Emera will hold a technical conference to explain the agreement Monday at the Westin Hotel in Halifax.

A panel of experts from Emera will respond to questions from the board and intervenors. However, a board spokeswoman said it was unclear whether the conference would be open to the public.

Todd McDonald, spokesman for the Lower Power Rates Alliance of Nova Scotia, said it appears Emera has altered the proposal it originally submitted to the board earlier this year, raising questions about how much electricity Nova Scotia will actually get from Muskrat Falls.

McDonald said he also has questions about how water levels in Labrador will affect the price and amount of electricity Nova Scotia can buy.

Nalcor Energy has a 35-year deal with Emera (TSX:EMA) to supply Nova Scotia with 20 per cent of the energy from Muskrat Falls in exchange for paying 20 per cent of the costs of the $7.7-billion project.

However, opponents of the deal have questioned how much it would cost Emera to buy energy in excess of the 20-per-cent block for which it has already negotiated an annual price.

According to Emera's latest filing, submitted Monday to the board, its so-called Energy Access Agreement with Nalcor "provides commercial assurance that (Emera) will be the first potential Nalcor customer to have access to market-priced energy that Nalcor has available for export."

The agreement is subject to the board's approval, but a spokeswoman for the board said it was unclear when a final decision will be made.

The agreement extends to 2041. Emera and Nalcor Energy are aiming to have power flowing from Muskrat Falls in 2017.