  The first study of Nernst effect in NbSe$_2$ reveals a large quasi-particle
contribution with a magnitude comparable and a sign opposite to the vortex
signal. Comparing the effect of the Charge Density Wave(CDW) transition on Hall
and Nernst coefficients, we argue that this large Nernst signal originates from
the thermally-induced counterflow of electrons and holes and indicates a
drastic change in the electron scattering rate in the CDW state. The results
provide new input for the debate on the origin of the anomalous Nernst signal
in high-T$_c$ cuprates.
