Electricity
Alberta's electricity system is owned and operated by a mix of investor-owned and municipally owned companies, not by the Alberta government. To ensure Albertans of a long-term, reliable supply of competitively priced electricity, Alberta Energy develops, supports and monitors the framework for bringing new generation on-line, competitive electricity markets, and efficient delivery systems.
Investor confidence in Alberta's competitive electricity market has resulted in over 5,200 megawatts (MW) of new electricity generating capacity since 1998. In addition, industry has expressed interest in investing in another 26,000 MW of new power development in coming years, which will ensure we continue to meet our province's growing demands. To put this growth in perspective, one MW is equal to one thousand kilowatts, roughly equivalent to the power consumed by 1,000 typical Alberta households in an average year.
Thermal sources account for the majority of Alberta's installed generating capacity: coal-fired plants make up almost 50 per cent of the province's total generating capacity, and natural gas accounts for about 40 per cent, including efficient cogeneration at industrial operations that produce energy as a by-product of their normal activities. The remainder is hydro, wind and biomass (energy produced from organic sources such as wood waste, garbage or animal matter).
The ability to deliver electricity throughout Alberta must also be increased in order to keep pace with the province's continued strong economic growth. In late 2003, government approved a new transmission development policy to encourage timely, cost-efficient investment in transmission infrastructure, the backbone of the electricity system. To ensure all transmission charges to generators, industrial, commercial or residential customers are fair, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) regulates Alberta's transmission system.
Alberta's retail electricity market gives consumers a choice of service providers. A list of retailers is available at Utilities Consumer Advocate.
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Electricity and You explains Alberta's Electricity System, a network of generation facilities, transmission lines, retailers and regulators.
