Calgary, AB — CHRIS SEVERSON-BAKER, Executive Director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the release of the Minister of Affordability and Utilities' mandate letter.
"The Pembina Institute is pleased to see utility demand-side management (DSM) included in Alberta’s mandate letters, specifically the call to work with industry on providing the government with proposals to enable more efficient electricity usage — and lower costs for utilities and their customers — through DSM.
"As we highlight in our report Beyond the Meter, DSM helps customers manage how and when they use electricity. Utility-led programs and services range from installing energy efficient equipment in homes, businesses and industrial sites, using smart controls to coordinate when electricity is used and integrating distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar or customer-sited batteries.
“DSM's explicit inclusion in the Minister of Affordability and Utilities' mandate letter signals that the GOA has recognized the need for more than just supply-side infrastructure investments by utilities. We are hopeful this shift will equip utilities with the tools they needed to enable modern grid capabilities.
“Investing in DSM programs give utilities a cost-effective way to avoid unnecessary demand and free up capacity. Every megawatt a utility can save or shift through DSM is one they can defer building. That allows utilities to meet customer electricity needs, lower energy system costs, and empower customers.
"Energy efficiency and demand response programs can be scaled quickly and cost-effectively to reduce costs and emissions within the existing system infrastructure. This makes them the no-regrets first move within the broader DSM portfolio, setting Alberta up for long-term success.
“DSM has the potential to unlock affordable, reliable energy for Albertans while generating high-quality, local jobs. By advancing DSM, the Government of Alberta empowers utilities to partner with the private sector, keeping investment and skilled employment in Alberta communities.
“We're also pleased to see direction given to work with B.C., Saskatchewan and Montana to explore options for electricity interties. Improved interties have been identified as important to enable Alberta to export low-cost renewable energy while improving overall system reliability. Alberta recently had to rely on its B.C. and Montana interties during some of the 14 major gas plant outages that happened in 2025.”
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Contact
Sarah Snowdon
Senior Comms Lead, Pembina Institute
647-797-9329 ext. 121
Background
Report: Beyond the Meter
Blog: From Efficiency to Empowerment
Blog: Building jobs in Alberta
Blog: Alberta faces retrofit roadblocks
Op-ed: Putting power back in communities
Media release: A call for smarter, fairer electricity distribution
Blog: How utilities can reach customers who need energy savings the most
Blog: Unlocking a clean, affordable energy future starts at the local level
