Alberta Electricity Market

As an Alberta electricity generator, marketer and retailer, TransAlta recognizes that our competitive, deregulated electricity market is complicated; the benefits are not always widely understood.

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

From our perspective, the electricity market has worked for Albertans because it is competitive, customers have a choice and it is evolving to meet demand. According to the Independent Power Producers Society of Alberta, Alberta's net generation capacity has "increased by 40 per cent, while wholesale power prices have increased by 10 per cent."¹ Our demand for electricity has grown at an average of 3.5% from 2000-2008, which is twice the Canadian and U.S. growth over that period of time.²

To learn more about the Alberta Electricity Market, on the sidebar you will find links to important market resources, our Questions & Answers sheet and Myths & Facts sheet.

Resources

• Alberta's Power Market (IPPSA) 
• Electricity Frequently Asked Questions (Alberta Energy)
• Electricity: The Basics (Centre for Energy^TM) 

 Reference

1. "Bahry: Competitive power market is good for Albertans." Calgary Herald, Opinion. Jan, 17 2012.
2. Key Market Facts. IPPSA, 2012.