Alberta Power Market

Alberta's power market is unique in Canada. It's wholesale and retail markets are open to competition, while its transmission and distribution wires businesses remain regulated.

Investment in generation is at the developers' risk. Investor risk drives generators to build the most efficient power plants they can. This efficient generation, coupled with a competitive market design, creates a downward pressure on wholesale power prices. To follow spot market prices, visit the Alberta Electric System Operators website.

Retailers buy power from this competitive market and sell it to end-use customers, just like any other market. Investment in new wires is approved by regulators.

As a residential customer, for more consumer information about the market, please visit the Utility Consumer Advocate's website.

More Information

IPPSA has commissioned two studies about our power market, they are:

• Comparing Alberta's residential prices to those of other provinces, on a level playing field (2005).
• Comparing Alberta's wholesale market prices to where prices would have been if the market remained regulated (2004).

Key Market Facts

Alberta's demand for power has grown at an average of 3.5% from 2000-2008. This is twice the Canadian and U.S. average growth of demand over that period of time. Read more facts.