• If you prefer to stay on regulated service or decide on regulated  service for a new site, then the regulated rate electricity and natural gas providers in your area will sell energy to you.
• If you decide you want to buy from a competitive retailer, you can compare each competitive retailer's offers and sign a contract with the company of your choice.

Please note:  It can take up to 90 days for competitive service to begin or to switch energy services from one retailer to another. If you are a new utility customer (new to Alberta or moving into your first home) this means you may have to initially connect your electricity and natural gas services with the regulated providers before going on a competitive energy contract. Be sure to ask each competitive retailer how long it will take for energy to flow if you were to sign a contract.

No matter how you buy your kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity or gigajoules (GJ) of natural gas – the delivery of energy to your home or business will remain a fully regulated service.

Your first choice in this consumer marketplace is to determine which type of energy service is best for you. Understanding the difference between regulated rate and competitive contract services will help you in your decision.

• Residential
  
  Residential customers use energy in a residence for their daily lives.
• Farm
  
  Farm customers use energy for their rural residence and agriculture operations.
• Small Commercial/Industrial
  
  Small commercial/industrial consumers are those who are not residential or farm consumers and consume less than 250,000 kWh of electricity per year and/or less than 2,500 GJ of natural gas per year.
• Large Commercial and Industrial
  
  Large commercial and industrial are those whose energy consumption is greater than 250,000 kWh of electricity per year and/or more than 2,500 GJ of natural gas per year. 

What is regulated service?

Under regulated service, a specific provider for your geographic area supplies your electricity or natural gas energy and a regulated distribution company delivers your energy. Rates found on your bill under regulated service are reviewed and approved by the provider's regulator, ensuring costs are valid and accurate to consumers. These rates can change throughout the year.

The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) (external link) regulates investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including EPCOR Energy Alberta Inc.'s regulated electricity service to FortisAlberta Inc. customers, Direct Energy Regulated Services' regulated service to ATCO Electric and  ATCO Gas customers, and AltaGas Utilities. In addition, the AUC also approves regulated electricity rates for the Cities of Calgary (ENMAX Power Corp.) and Edmonton (EPCOR Energy Inc.).

Other municipally owned utilities are regulated by their municipal councils. Rural Electrification Associations (REAs) and Natural Gas Co-operatives are regulated by a board elected by the members they serve.

Who is my regulated rate provider?

Regulated rate providers of electricity or natural gas provide service to specific geographical areas of the province. Find your regulated rate provider

What is competitive retail service?

Under competitive retail service, you can choose to purchase your electricity and natural gas energy from a variety of retailers. You and the retailer of your choice may enter into a contract for the type and length of energy service you want. The regulated distribution company for your area will then deliver your energy to you.

Contract charges are not regulated, but competitive retailers are licensed by Service Alberta under the Fair Trading Act. Service Alberta reviews the companies' retail contracts before granting the license to offer competitive electricity and/or natural gas service.

The contract you sign with the retailer sets out the terms and conditions you both must meet. The terms and conditions of the contract can include: the price you pay for your energy, the length of the contract, cancellation penalties, and any other agreed upon services.

It can take up to 90 days for competitive service to begin or to switch energy services from one retailer to another. If you are a new utility customer (new to Alberta or moving into your first home) this means you may have to initially connect your electricity and natural gas services with the regulated providers before going on a competitive energy contract.  Be sure to ask each competitive retailer how long it will take for energy to flow if you were to sign a contract.

Who are the competitive retailers?

The competitive retailers offering services to you will depend on where you live and the type of consumer you are.