In Alberta, Canada, the role of energy retailers is particularly distinct due to the province’s deregulated energy market. Energy retailers in Alberta act as intermediaries between energy producers and consumers, both residential and commercial. They purchase electricity and natural gas at wholesale rates and then sell it to consumers at retail prices.
Alberta’s deregulated market allows consumers to choose from a variety of energy retailers, rather than being limited to a single, regulated utility. This competition can result in more favorable rates, flexible contract terms, and specialized offerings such as green energy options. Some retailers offer fixed-rate plans that provide price stability, while others offer floating rates that fluctate with market conditions.
In this environment, energy retailers do not own the infrastructure for generating or distributing electricity or gas; those aspects are managed by separate entities. However, retailers handle customer service, billing, and often provide additional services like energy usage monitoring tools.
By participating in Alberta’s deregulated market, energy retailers play a key role in providing consumers with more choices and potentially better prices. They also have the opportunity to differentiate themselves through sustainability initiatives, such as offering electricity from renewable sources, thereby promoting greener energy solutions within the province.
An energy company encompasses organizations involved in various aspects of the energy sector, including exploration, production, refining, distribution, and sale of different types of energy resources like fossil fuels and renewable energy. They have a broader scope and may operate in multiple sectors such as electricity generation, oil and gas extraction, and energy services. On the other hand, an electric company specifically focuses on the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. They are responsible for producing and delivering electrical power to consumers, managing power plants and infrastructure like power grids and distribution networks. Their primary focus is on meeting the electricity needs of residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
No, your retailer (eg. Peace Power) is independent of your transmission and distribution company. This means that when you switch to us, only the energy rates you pay and the retailer you deal with changes – nothing to do with the delivery of energy to your home changes, and therefore there is no disruption.
The delivery charge that you see on your bill covers the upkeep cost of the infrastructure that is used to deliver the energy to your home. The delivery charge is regulated by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). For electricity, this includes power lines and transformers, and for natural gas, this includes pipelines and compressor stations. Visit our blog to learn more about what fees are included in your power bill.
Once you have signed the lease agreement for your rental property, the first thing you need to do is set up electricity in your name. This involves identifying the local electricity provider, getting in touch with them, and providing your new address and move-in date. You will also need to provide identification and payment information as requested by the provider. Once the paperwork is done, schedule a time for the electricity to be turned on at your new place. With the electricity up and running, you can focus on settling into your new home.
If you encounter any issues with your metre, the best course of action is to contact your electricity distributor. They are responsible for maintaining and operating the electricity network in your area, which includes the metreing infrastructure. They will be able to assist you with any problems related to the metreing of your electricity usage, such as inaccurate readings or faulty equipment. While Peace Power, as a retailer, manages your account and billing information, they do not have control over the physical metre itself. Therefore, it’s important to reach out to your electricity distributor directly for any metre-related concerns.
Several factors contribute to the higher power costs in Alberta. These include the province’s reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation, the cost of infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, and market dynamics. Additionally, Alberta’s electricity market operates differently from other provinces, which can impact pricing.
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