What you need to know about: choosing electricity providers and options
Albertans can choose their electricity provider and rate plan. You have the option to choose between your regulated rate provider and power retailers. This option to stay with your regulated rate provider will continue to be available.
There are different electricity products, with different rates, terms and services, and some will suit Albertans’ needs and budgets better than others.
Regulated rate providers offer the Regulated Rate Option (RRO). This is the default rate, which varies month to month and is based on short and long-term market prices.
Power retailers, or competitive retailers, offer a variety of rate plans. They include, but are not limited to stable rate plans, “green” energy purchase plans and bundled plans for both electricity and natural gas.
Alberta's Utilities Consumer Advocate(UCA) provides detailed information on the rate plans offered in the province. The UCA also provides information on electricity providers, including regulated rates, phone numbers and website addresses.
Choosing Your Electricity Provider - Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose who provides my electric energy to my home or business?
What is a power retailer?
What is the Regulated Rate Option (RRO)?
Where can I find more information on all the electricity providers in Alberta?
What if I have questions or concerns about my existing rate plan?
What are the differences between the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) and the rates offered by power retailers?
Does the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) protect consumers from the wholesale market fluctuations of electricity prices?
Who takes care of my meter?
What happens when my rate plan expires?
What is a "green" purchase plan?
Can I choose who provides my electric energy to my home or business?
Yes, Alberta’s electricity market offers retail choice to Alberta homes and businesses. The company that delivers your electricity (your distribution company) will continue to operate and maintain the wires providing your power. You may choose who you buy your electric energy from.
Businesses and homeowners can comparison shop between the energy options and rate plans offered. The Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) provides information on the options available.
What is a power retailer?
Power retailers (also called 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.
These retailers offer a variety of rate plans including, but not limited to long term stable rate plans, “green” energy purchase plans and bundled plans for both electricity and natural gas.
These retailers offer retail services. They 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 distribution company.
Regardless of your choice, your electricity bill will include charges for both electric energy use and distribution or delivery charges.
What is the Regulated Rate Option (RRO)?
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).
Where can I find more information on all the electricity providers in Alberta?
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.
What if I have questions or concerns about my existing rate plan?
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).
What are the differences between the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) and the rates offered by power retailers?
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.
Does the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) protect consumers from the wholesale market fluctuations of electricity prices?
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.
Who takes care of my meter?
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.
What happens when my rate plan expires?
The Energy Marketing Regulation requires power retailers to obtain written or electronic consent from you at least 30 days but not more thant 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.
What is a "green" purchase plan?
Some retailers offer "green" energy options. The Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) offers more information about these options.
