AffordableEnergyRates.ca has just launched, showcasing solutions in Alberta’s deregulated energy market

Utility Network & Partners Inc. is proud to present AffordableEnergyRates.ca, a website for consumers and policy-makers alike. Affordable energy has been a concern for all Albertans, as the province has seen increased volatility in the market. An increasing number of people are experiencing energy poverty, and the Government of Alberta is working towards solutions.

On July 19, 2023, Premier Danielle Smith issued a mandate letter to Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities, directing him to implement a series of initiatives related to Alberta’s deregulated energy market. Deregulation has evolved significantly over the past two decades, and changes to the market are required - but those changes must underline affordability and avoid unintended consequences.

“We believe that deregulation serves the best interests of consumers when the industry, as a whole, works together to serve customers,” said Darren Chu, Managing Director at UTILITYnet. “It’s easy for governments to implement rebates and rate caps, but these are band-aid solutions at best. The Government of Alberta needs to ensure that any solutions they devise support customer choice and a free market.”

AffordableEnergyRates.ca features recommendations from UTILITYnet to the government, based on years of experience. The website also features a collection of articles, written by industry experts, that cover topics such as the history of deregulation, the debate between the energy-only market and a capacity market, the role of the Regulated Rate Option (RRO), and much more. Authors span the industry and contributors include individuals who have been part of Alberta’s deregulation evolution since the very beginning.

AffordableEnergyRates.ca is developed by Utility Network & Partners Inc. (“UTILITYnet”), a retailer offering electricity, natural gas, and Internet services. Founded in 1978, UTILITYnet has been involved in Alberta’s energy market with customers in oil and gas, the industrial sector, commercial clients, and residential customers. UTILITYnet currently operates a network of 32 Community Retailers, serving Albertans in over 450 communities across the province. For more information on UTILITYnet’s Community Retailers, please visit the UTILITYnet website.