AESO Canada Market: Alberta Electricity Prices

Canada - AESO Market

Science-based forecasts for a sustainable energy transition

The Alberta electricity market, in Canada, is managed by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), which is responsible for operating the province’s interconnected power system and administering the electricity market. The market began operating in its current form in 2000, following a liberalisation process that enabled the active participation of generators, retailers and consumers.

Alberta has a generation mix historically dominated by coal and natural gas, but in recent years it has experienced accelerated growth in renewable energy, especially solar and wind.

Alberta’s electricity system is undergoing a major transformation:

The progressive closure of coal-fired power plants and their replacement with renewable sources and natural gas is reducing the emissions intensity of the power sector.
Alberta has established incentives and market mechanisms that have driven the development of numerous solar and wind projects without direct subsidies, many backed by corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs).
AESO is exploring new solutions such as energy storage, grid modernisation and the participation of distributed energy resources to enhance system flexibility.
Although Alberta does not participate in a traditional capacity market, complementary mechanisms are being analysed to ensure reliability in a system with high renewable penetration.

At AleaSoft, we have been providing services for international electricity markets for 27 years, including Alberta (AESO). We deliver forecasts of prices, demand and renewable production, tailored to the needs of generators, retailers, corporate buyers, investors and system operators.