Alberta falls in industrial power rankings


CSA Z462 Arc Flash Training – Electrical Safety Compliance Course

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$249
Coupon Price:
$199
Reserve Your Seat Today
Alberta's controversial commercial and industrial electricity market has slipped in the North American rankings from eighth to 10th place, but market officials say they aren't concerned about the drop.

While Alberta's retail electricity market has held onto third place for several years in the annual baseline assessment of choice in Canada and the United States ABACCUS, the commercial and industrial market slipped from fifth to eighth in 2009 and fell two notches further this year.

The scorecard results are surprising since industry analysts have contended for years that the province's restructured wholesale electricity market was performing well compared to the retail market, which has suffered from lack of competition.

Robert Spragins, who works for Alberta's Market Surveillance Administrator, says small changes in the scoring have caused Alberta's commercial/ industrial market to plummet because six other jurisdictions scored almost equally in the survey's 28 dimensions of service.

"I am not sure I am seeing a material change," Spragins said. "It's really fractions of percentages."

He said the Market Surveillance Administrator, which operates as a government-appointed watchdog, plans no market adjustments as a result of the ABACCUS report.

Nat Treadway, the founding partner of Distributed Energy Financial Group, the organization that annually conducts the analysis of North American deregulated electricity markets, said Alberta dropped in the rankings because more weight was given this year to jurisdictions with larger numbers of consumers.

"I will apologize, but I thought we had to change the methodology and we knew there would be some issues like this," he said.

Alberta Energy spokesman Jay O'Neill said the report confirms Alberta's position as a leader in residential retail electricity markets.

"It's actually good news," he said. "Alberta is the highest-rated province in both residential and commercial/industrial."

Ron Cerniglia of Direct Energy Services, said Alberta's score still places it in the top tier of the 23 states and provinces rated in the survey.

Texas, which has 60 industrial electricity suppliers to Alberta's eight, led all jurisdictions, followed by Maryland with 58 and New York with 55.

On the retail side, Alberta, with five suppliers providing 15 products, trailed only Texas with 37 providers and 255 products, and New York, with 27 suppliers and 52 products.

Critics scoffed at the survey's retail ranking, saying deregulation has failed to bring either promised lower prices or more choice of products.

"I am not buying into their report that Alberta is a success," said Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald.

Jim Wachowich of the Alberta Consumers Coalition said the cost of deregulation outweighs any benefits. "Albertans were getting wholesale prices and now we're being told we should go to a retail model."

Related News

London Gateway Unveils World’s First All-Electric Berth

London Gateway All-Electric Berth enables shore power and cold ironing for container ships, cutting emissions,…
View more

Looming Coal and Nuclear Plant Closures Put ‘Just Transition’ Concept to the Test

Just Transition for Coal and Nuclear Workers explains policy frameworks, compensation packages, retraining, and community…
View more

Chinese govt rejects the allegations against CPEC Power Producers

CPEC Power Producers drive China-Pakistan energy cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, delivering clean,…
View more

U.S. Speeds Up Permitting for Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Emergency Permitting accelerates BLM approvals on public lands via categorical exclusions for exploratory drilling…
View more

Blood Nickel and Canada's Role in Global Mining Sustainability

Blood Nickel spotlights ethical sourcing in the EV supply chain, linking nickel mining to human…
View more

A new material made from carbon nanotubes can generate electricity by scavenging energy from its environment

Carbon Nanotube Solvent Electricity enables wire-free electrochemistry as organic solvents like acetonitrile pull electrons, powering…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified