Strengthening Edmonton's power system

Panoramic view of the city of Edmonton skyline

As temperatures climbed during the summer of 2025, electricity demand increased and the risk of outages loomed. Families relied on air conditioners to keep their homes cool. People charged their devices, powered their businesses, and went about their daily lives expecting the lights to stay on.

Most never thought about the power system behind it all.

But behind the scenes, EPCOR’s electricity system operators watched power demand rise, and cables in the electricity grid get hotter and hotter. Their expertise in moving power around to keep the lights on was becoming as strained as the grid’s capacity, with some areas of the city running at more than designed capacity for days at a time. Particularly in the Castle Downs, Summerside, Meadowlark, Windermere, Riverview, and Rossdale neighourhoods, cables were carrying more electricity than they were designed to handle.

As cooler Fall weather arrived without any significant customer interruption, the team was determined to find out what could be done to prevent a similar risk in 2026.

For customers, the stakes were simple: keep homes comfortable, keep businesses running, and ensure families can count on the services they use every day.

EPCOR's priority was clear: strengthen the system before customers felt the impact next summer.

PublishedJuly 17, 2026

Aerial view of the Rossdale electrical substation in Edmonton with the downtown skyline, green parkland, and nearby sports facilities in the background.

Working quickly, engineers, planners, project managers, and field crews came together to find solutions and get the work done. They completed five major projects in less than six months and with no additional cost to customer bills.

Together, the upgrades added capacity equal to powering approximately 22,850 homes and helped reduce the risk of outages for customers across Edmonton.

By the numbers

Added capacity, measured in homes

22,850

Underground cable installed

34.4km

Overhead cable installed

2.9km

New power poles installed

New utility boxes added

How these upgrades help Edmontonians

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More reliable power during hot weather and periods of high demand

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Faster restoration when outages occur

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More capacity to support growing neighbourhoods

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Better support for technologies such as air conditioners, heat pumps and electric vehicles

Supporting communities across Edmonton

While each project was different, they all had the same goal: improving reliability for customers.

Northeast Edmonton

A new power circuit connected to the Castle Downs substation helps deliver electricity more effectively throughout northeast Edmonton.

The project supports communities including Crystallina Nera, McConachie, Schonsee, Ozerna and Mayliewan. It adds capacity equal to approximately 4,000 homes.

For families moving into these growing neighbourhoods, the upgrade helps ensure the electricity system can keep up with increasing demand.

Southeast Edmonton

A new connection between the Summerside and East Industrial substations helps balance electricity demand and reduce strain on the power grid.

The upgrade supports communities including Alces, Meltwater, Mattson and The Orchards. It adds capacity equal to approximately 6,000 homes.

As these communities continue to grow, customers will benefit from a stronger and more flexible power network.

West Edmonton

In west Edmonton, upgrades connected to the Meadowlark substation included larger underground power cables and a new backup connection.

These improvements provide additional routes for electricity to flow if part of the system is affected by an outage or experiences high demand, and added capacity equal to approximately 5,700 homes.

For customers, that means improved reliability and a system that can recover more quickly when problems occur.

Southwest Edmonton

Around Windermere and the Riverview substation, EPCOR added a new power circuit to help distribute electricity more evenly across the network.

The project supports communities including Glenridding Heights, Glenridding Ravine, Keswick and Windermere, while adding capacity equal to approximately 6,000 homes.

The upgrade helps ensure the power grid can grow alongside the neighbourhoods it serves.

Central Edmonton

EPCOR also upgraded equipment connected to the Rossdale substation.

The substation serves neighbourhoods including Rossdale, Cloverdale, Bonnie Doon and Strathcona. The improvements help strengthen reliability in some of Edmonton's oldest communities while supporting future growth and development, and adding capacity equal to approximately 1,150 homes.

Why this work matters

Most people don't think about electricity until they need it. They expect the lights to turn on, their homes to stay comfortable and their daily routines to continue without interruption.

"Much of the work happened behind the scenes, but its impact will be felt every day in communities across Edmonton through a stronger, more reliable power system."

That's why this work matters.

By June 2026, EPCOR had completed five major projects across Edmonton, adding capacity equal to approximately 22,850 homes and helping reduce the risk of outages.

Much of the work happened behind the scenes, but its impact will be felt every day in communities across Edmonton through a stronger, more reliable power system.

Prepare for power and water emergencies

Unexpected power and water outages can happen at any time. You can be ready for them with a little planning. Small steps now keep you safe and worry-free later.