Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO)

UtilitiesAlberta, Canada501-1000 Employees

Our mandate is to provide for the safe, reliable and economic operation of the interconnected electric system and to promote a fair, efficient and openly competitive electricity market. 

We do this in four key areas:

Direct The Safe and Reliable Operation of the Grid: We work with industry partners to keep electricity safely and reliably flowing throughout the province. Our System Controllers dispatch generation to meet electricity demand and direct the operation of the transmission system 24/7, 365 days a year. We ensure almost five million Albertans have power when they need it.

Plan the Transmission System: We plan ahead by developing power supply and demand forecasts and scenarios to ensure the right transmission lines are built in the right locations, as cost effectively as possible. We identify needed transmission solutions and work through the regulatory process to secure necessary approvals.

Connect customers to the grid: We ensure customers can connect to the transmission system in a safe and reliable manner. Timely transmission system access is facilitated through the AESO’s Connection Process. Using transmission tariffs, we recover the costs of the transmission system from customers. After deducting our costs of operating the system, we forward the remainder to transmission facility owners.

Operate the Wholesale Electricity Market: Electricity in Alberta is bought and sold through a wholesale market. We operate the market, manage its financial settlement function, and facilitate its ongoing development by designing and implementing market rules to ensure it is a fair, efficient and openly competitive market.

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