Alberta electricity rates: how to compare the real cost

To compare electricity rates, multiply your home’s kWh by each plan’s price. Add the administration fee before you compare the costs.

See the default electricity rates and what changes on 1 January 2027.

Alberta’s electricity rates

Each plan has its own price and terms. The default electricity plan is the Rate of Last Resort (RoLR). Your home’s service area sets that rate.

These prices cover energy alone. Fees, delivery charges and tax add to your bill.

Find your default rate in the UCA table. Check which service area serves your home. Some local systems have different rates.

Start with two numbers from your bill

Find the line showing electricity used in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Then find your energy price per kWh. Multiply them to get your energy charge for that bill.

Your administration fee pays for services such as billing and customer support. It is separate from the energy charge. The UCA’s bill guide explains each line.

Use a year of bills to compare plans for your home. Look for a usage chart on your bill. A single winter or summer month may give a poor guide to yearly use.

If you have just moved, your old home’s usage may differ. Mark any usage you had to estimate.

Put the rate and the fee in the same comparison

Add each plan’s fees to its energy cost. The UCA’s guide to choosing a retailer explains which charges to check. Read the contract to see if you can get the plan.

For example, compare these plans before delivery charges and tax.

• Plan A: 9¢/kWh, plus $8 per month in administration fees.
• Plan B: 8¢/kWh, plus $13 per month in administration fees.
• At 600 kWh per month, Plan A costs $62. Plan B costs $61.

Plan B’s energy costs $6 less. Its fee is $5 higher. You save $1 for that example month.

At 300 kWh, Plan A costs $35 and Plan B costs $37. Using less power changes which plan costs less.

Plan B’s extra fee is $5, and it saves 1¢ per kWh. The costs meet at $5 ÷ 1¢/kWh = 500 kWh per month. At 500 kWh, both plans cost $53 before delivery charges and tax.

Below 500 kWh, Plan A’s lower fee makes it cheaper. For a yearly comparison, use your home’s usage through each season.

Keep delivery charges in the picture

Changing plans does not remove delivery charges. They pay to bring power to your home. Transmission charges depend on usage; distribution charges depend on your area and usage.

The Alberta Utilities Commission sets most major distributors’ rates. Some towns and rural groups set their own. See the UCA guide to delivery charges.

Compare plans for the same home, dates and kWh. An energy price alone cannot be compared with your whole old bill. Using less power can also lower your bill without a plan change.

A five-minute comparison checklist

1. Match the service address and electricity site ID.
2. Use the same kWh and dates for each plan.
3. Check whether fees apply each day, each month or per kWh.
4. Find the end date, exit fees and payment rules.
5. Save the plan’s price and full terms.

A fixed rate sets your energy price for the term. A floating rate can rise or fall. Last year’s price cannot tell you next year’s cost.

Our fixed versus floating guide explains how each works.

Where to check current electricity plans

Use the UCA’s official comparison tool to find plans for your home. Confirm the price, fees and full terms with the company before you sign.

Send us your gas and electricity bills as PDFs. No PDF? Screenshots or a photo work too. We compare the plans at your address, free during our launch period.

We never switch your plan.