Province modernizing the electricity grid to improve affordability

Source: | · RDN NEWS NOW · | April 27, 2022

Source: Dale Nally, Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity. (Government of Alberta)

The province says proposed changes to Alberta’s electricity system would modernize and help keep electricity safe, reliable and affordable for the long term.

Bill 22, the Electricity Statutes (Modernizing Alberta’s Electricity Grid) Amendment Act, 2022, builds on legislation first introduced in the fall 2021 session and integrates new technologies and innovations into Alberta’s electricity system, say provincial officials.

The proposed amendments would enable energy storage, allow more self-supply with export and help the distribution system plan for electric vehicles, renewable power sources, emerging technologies and other distributed energy resources. It would also begin winding down the Balancing Pool by redistributing its remaining responsibilities and laying the groundwork for its future dissolution.

Together, these changes would encourage investor confidence in Alberta’s electricity grid to increase long-term competition and supply, which leads to more stable and affordable prices for Albertans, say government officials. This would also be expected to make low-carbon alternatives easier to incorporate into the electricity grid without costly subsidies from taxpayers.