Alberta has abundant wind and solar energy but these resources are being wasted at record levels and driving costs up for consumers in the process.
At the heart of the issue is a set of technical and regulatory barriers that mean clean, affordable, electricity is being wasted when Albertans need it most.
This report provides an overview of the crux of the issue: while there is abundant, affordable, and clean energy available in Alberta, there isn’t enough transmission capacity to bring that energy to homes and businesses across the province. This issue is leading to:
- Transmission congestion and curtailment – referring to a process where clean energy resources are discarded (curtailment) because there is not enough capacity to transport that energy (transmission congestion)
- An increased reliance on more expensive and emitting energy, like natural gas
- Higher bills for consumers who pay the price for curtailment of clean energy
- Lower revenues for and less investment in Alberta’s renewables sector
The report also highlights the long-term challenges that are on the horizon as Alberta’s energy market is being restructured starting in 2028. If transmission congestion and curtailment issues persist under new rules – and no new power lines are built to address these problems – Albertans will pay even more in the years to come.
Mitigating these issues and avoiding higher consumer costs will require investment in transmission infrastructure, particularly the Southeast and Southwest transmission lines that have already been scoped out by the AESO as part of its 2025 Long-Term Transmission Plan. Alternatively, as our report highlights, inaction will lead to higher electricity rates for consumers and less investment in Albertan businesses – both issues that can be solved and avoided through long-term planning and strategic investment.
