What you need to know about: choosing electricity providers and options

Alberta’s Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) provides this information at http://www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca/ or by calling 310-4UCA (310-4822) toll-free anywhere in Alberta.

 

Yes, in Alberta you have choices for electricity in your home or office. 
Under competitive retail service, you can choose to purchase your electricity and natural gas energy from a variety of retailers.  You and the retailer of your choice may enter into a contract for the type and length of energy service you want.  Retailers may offer long-term stable rate plans, “green” energy purchase plans or bundled plans for both electricity and natural gas. 

The regulated distribution company for your area will then deliver your energy to you.

 

Power retailers or competitive retailers have been offering their options for electric energy and other energy services to Albertans since 2001. They are retailers licensed by the Government of Alberta through Service Alberta, and they must comply with the Fair Trading Act.

The Utilities Consumer Advocate offers a price summary of all the competitive retailers rate plans which could include long term stable rate plans, “green” energy purchase plans or bundled plans for both electricity and natural gas.

Competitive retailers do not operate or maintain the wires that deliver your electricity. If you have any questions regarding outages or other power quality concerns, you must contact your wire service provider.

Regardless of your choice, your electricity bill will include charges for both electric energy use and distribution or delivery charges.

 

The Regulated Rate Option (RRO) is the default rate for electricity. The RRO fluctuates month to month because it is based on short term market prices, just like the regulated rate for natural gas.

Regulated rate providers submit their RRO for approval to the appropriate regulatory body. The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) reviews the RRO rates of ENMAX, EPCOR and Direct Energy Regulated Services. Rates for municipally owned utilities are reviewed and approved by their city councils. RRO rates for the Rural Electrification Associations (REAs) are reviewed and approved by their respective board of directors.  RRO service is specific to your geographic location.

Albertans who have not chosen a power retailer as their electricity provider, by default, choose to accept service from the regulated rate provider that operates in their service area.

A list regulated rate providers as well as historical rates are available from the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA). 

 

The first step you should take is to contact your current electricity provider. The contact information for your electricity provider is found on your monthly bill or if you know the name of the company, it will be available from the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA).  

The Regulated Rate Option (RRO) is a default rate which varies month to month and is based on short term market prices. The price setting mechanism for this rate is approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).

Power retailers offer a number of products and services that come with various rate plans. For example, they offer a variety of long-term stable rate plans, “green” energy purchase plans and bundled plans for both electricity and natural gas.

 

The RRO rate is not a protected rate, but a regulated rate. The price of electricity fluctuates based on supply and demand and varies month to month. The RRO compensates regulated rate providers for the cost and expense of providing electricity to Albertans who have not chosen to receive their electricity from a power retailer.

The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) publishes the RRO on the first day of each month of the effective rate.

 

Regardless of the choice you make for your electricity provider, your meter services, including meter reading and maintenance, will still be provided by your distribution company.

If you learn to read your electric meter and regularly submit your own readings, it may result in more accurate readings than if your utility company estimates your consumption

 

The Energy Marketing Regulation requires power retailers to obtain written or electronic consent from you at least 30 days but not more than six months before the expiration of your contract in order to renew the contract.  At that time you can choose to remain with your current retailer, choose a different retailer, or choose to return to your regulated rate provider.

The Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) offers additional tips on what to be aware of when signing a contract with a power retailer.