During the 2023 winter, the Government of Alberta introduced a temporary measure to help regulated rate option (RRO) customers manage electricity rate volatility and record-high prices.
Electricity consumers on the regulated rate option (RRO) did not pay more than 13.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for their usage between January 1 and March 31, 2023.
Avoid price fluctuations
The Government of Alberta temporary rate ceiling was not a rebate program. New and existing RRO customers are required to repay the deferred costs from winter 2023.
Some energy retailers in the province offer fixed rate energy plans that commit you to a fixed energy price to help avoid price fluctuations. Some fixed rate energy plans have different terms and conditions which may include contract term length, breakage fees, and eligibility and credit requirements.
You are free to purchase natural gas services or electricity services from a retailer of your choice. For a list of retailers, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta).
Repayment for deferred costs
Any costs above the implemented rate ceiling during the 2023 winter were deferred, to be repaid by RRO customers between April 2023 and December 2024. This is set out in the Regulated Rate Option Stability Act and Regulation which specifies that the repayment rate is included in the monthly “Energy Charge”.
The recovery amount changes monthly and is impacted by the forecasted monthly electricity usage by RRO customers in each territory and the number of months remaining in the repayment period.
For consumption starting in April 2023, the repayment rates are automatically included in the “Energy Charge” line item on RRO customers’ bills.
Residential RRO customers and commercial RRO customers participate as separate groups for the repayment.
For more information, visit the Alberta government affordability programs page.