Understand Alberta energy choices

Explore the energy choices available in Alberta, including regulated and competitive electricity, rate types and renewable energy options.

Alberta energy choices at a glance

Alberta's competitive energy market gives customers more choice when it comes to their energy services. Understanding those choices can help you decide what works best for your needs.

There are three main energy choices to consider:

1. Your electricity option

Choose how you receive electricity service:

Alberta's default regulated electricity option, the Rate of Last Resort (RoLR),
A competitive electricity plan from a competitive retailer, such as Encor by EPCOR

Customers are free to purchase electricity services from a retailer of their choice. For a list of retailers, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca

2. Your rate type

Most competitive energy plans offer a choice between:

Fixed rates
Floating rates

3. Your renewable energy options

You may also choose the type of electricity generation you support:

Conventional electricity generation
Renewable energy options through programs offered by competitive retailers

Not sure which electricity option is right for you?

Compare the electricity options available to Albertans.

Understanding Alberta's energy market

Most Canadian provinces have regulated electricity systems where customers have limited choice in who supplies their electricity. Alberta's energy market works differently.

Alberta has a competitive energy market, sometimes referred to as a deregulated energy market. This gives customers more choice over their energy services, including electricity and natural gas. Unlike many provinces where customers receive electricity from a single provider, Alberta customers can choose between different electricity providers and plans.

Alberta's energy market operates within a regulatory framework overseen by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)

One of the key features of Alberta's energy market is customer choice. Depending on the service and provider, customers can:

Compare electricity and natural gas providers
Compare electricity and natural gas plans
Select fixed or floating pricing options
Explore renewable energy options

The sections below explain the energy choices available to Alberta customers and how they fit within Alberta's energy market.

Regulated vs. competitive electricity in Alberta

One of the key features of Alberta's competitive energy market is customer choice. Albertans can choose between regulated and competitive electricity options.

Regulated electricity

Alberta's default regulated electricity option is called the Rate of Last Resort (RoLR). Different Rate of Last Resort providers serve different areas of Alberta.

Customers who are not enrolled in a competitive electricity plan receive electricity service under the RoLR.

Learn more about how the Rate of Last Resort works, including how rates are determined and the regulatory framework that supports it.

Competitive electricity plans

Competitive electricity plans are offered by competitive retailers and give customers additional choices when it comes to how electricity service is priced and managed.

Many competitive retailers offer both electricity and natural gas plans, allowing customers to bundle their energy services.

Depending on the provider and plan selected, customers may have access to:

Fixed or floating rates
Electricity and natural gas plan options
Additional plan features and benefits
Renewable energy options

Looking to compare regulated and competitive electricity options, current rates or plan features? Compare electricity options →

Who delivers energy in Alberta?

When comparing energy options, many customers wonder whether choosing a different electricity or natural gas provider changes who delivers energy to their property.

The answer is no.

Electricity and natural gas continue to be delivered by the local utility responsible for your service area, regardless of the energy option you choose.

Whether you are receiving service through a regulated or competitive option:

Energy is delivered through the same local infrastructure
Reliability remains the same
The local utility continues to maintain infrastructure
Outages are managed by the local distribution utility

Not sure who your local utility provider is? Visit the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) to find the utility responsible for delivering electricity or natural gas in your area.

If you're wondering how EPCOR and Encor serve different roles within Alberta's energy market, learn more about Encor vs EPCOR.

What is a wires provider?

A wires provider is the utility responsible for maintaining the infrastructure used to deliver electricity, including poles, wires, substations and other equipment.

Different utilities serve different areas of Alberta.

Your local wires provider continues to deliver electricity regardless of whether you receive electricity service under the Rate of Last Resort or through a competitive retailer.

Understanding energy plan options in Alberta

Fixed vs. floating rates

Many competitive energy plans allow customers to choose between fixed and floating pricing.

Fixed rates stay the same during the term of the plan.
Floating rates change over time based on market conditions.

The best option depends on your preferences and comfort level with changing energy prices.

Natural gas choices

Electricity isn't the only energy choice available in Alberta.

Customers can also choose competitive natural gas plans, including fixed and floating pricing options. Many customers choose to bundle their electricity and natural gas plans together for added convenience.

Renewable energy options

Renewable energy comes from naturally replenishing sources such as wind, solar and hydroelectric generation.

Unlike conventional electricity generation that relies on fossil fuels, renewable energy sources produce little or no greenhouse gas emissions during electricity generation.

Renewable generation plays an important role in Alberta's energy mix and gives customers another way to align their energy choices with their preferences.

Interested in reducing the environmental impact of your electricity use?

Frequently asked questions about Alberta's electricity market

Regulated electricity refers to Alberta's default electricity option, known as the Rate of Last Resort (RoLR). Not sure if EPCOR provides the Rate of Last Resort in your area? View the EPCOR regulated service area map.

Learn more about the Rate of Last Resort.

A competitive retailer is a company that offers electricity or natural gas plans in Alberta's competitive energy market. Edmonton customers can compare plans and select the option that best meets their needs. Encor by EPCOR is a competitive retailer.

Learn about Encor by EPCOR.

No. Choosing a competitive electricity or natural gas plan changes how your energy is priced, not how it is delivered.

Electricity and natural gas continue to be delivered by the local utility responsible for your service area, regardless of the energy option you choose.

In Edmonton, EPCOR continues to deliver electricity regardless of whether you receive service through the Rate of Last Resort or a competitive energy plan.

Yes. Customers can choose renewable energy options that support electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydroelectric generation.

Explore Chirp Green Energy.

You can find your electricity rate option on your bill or in your online account. Learn where to find your electricity rate information and how to understand your bill.