Three kinds of company appear on Alberta energy bills: the company that owns the wires or pipes, the default supplier, and competitive retailers. One family of names can be more than one of them. This page lists each name, what it does, where, and whether you can choose it.
The table ranks no one and quotes no plan price. BillRobin ranks no plan here, and no retailer pays BillRobin.
| Name on the bill | What it does | Where | Can you choose it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENMAX Power | ENMAX Power Corporation is listed as a distribution company. It builds and maintains the infrastructure that delivers power. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | The default electricity retailer in the ENMAX Power area (Calgary) is ENMAX Energy, so ENMAX Power delivers electricity in the Calgary area. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Consumers cannot choose their distribution company. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| ENMAX Energy | ENMAX Energy Corporation is listed as a default retailer. The Rate of Last Resort is the default rate for electricity. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | The default electricity retailer in the ENMAX Power area (Calgary) is ENMAX Energy. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Alberta utility consumers who do not sign a contract with a competitive retailer for natural gas or electricity are served by the default retailer in their area. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| EasyMax | Easymax by ENMAX Energy Corporation is listed as a competitive retailer. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Easymax by ENMAX Energy Corporation is a competitive retailer offering electricity and natural gas services for residential and small business consumers across Alberta. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Albertans can choose to purchase electricity and natural gas energy from a variety of licensed competitive retailers. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| EPCOR Distribution | EPCOR is listed as a distribution company. It builds and maintains the infrastructure that delivers power. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | The default electricity retailer in the EPCOR Distribution (Edmonton) and FortisAlberta areas is EPCOR, so EPCOR Distribution delivers electricity in the Edmonton area. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Consumers cannot choose their distribution company. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| EPCOR Energy Alberta | EPCOR Energy Alberta GP Inc. is listed as a default retailer. The Rate of Last Resort is the default rate for electricity. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | The default electricity retailer in the EPCOR Distribution (Edmonton) and FortisAlberta areas is EPCOR. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Alberta utility consumers who do not sign a contract with a competitive retailer for natural gas or electricity are served by the default retailer in their area. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| Encor by EPCOR | Encor is EPCOR’s competitive energy retailer, offering electricity and natural gas plans for Alberta homes and businesses. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Encor is a competitive retailer offering electricity and natural gas services for residential, small business, and farm consumers across Alberta. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Albertans can choose to purchase electricity and natural gas energy from a variety of licensed competitive retailers. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| FortisAlberta | FortisAlberta is listed as a distribution company. It builds and maintains the infrastructure that delivers power. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | FortisAlberta says its lines connect 240 communities across Alberta and its system spans 60 per cent of Alberta’s electricity grid. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Consumers cannot choose their distribution company. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| ATCO Electric | ATCO Electric is listed as a distribution company. It builds and maintains the infrastructure that delivers power. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | ATCO Electric says it delivers safe, reliable electricity across Alberta. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Consumers cannot choose their distribution company. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| ATCO Gas North and South | ATCO Gas North and ATCO Gas South are listed as distribution companies. They build and maintain the infrastructure that delivers natural gas. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | ATCO Gas says it delivers safe, reliable natural gas to homes and businesses across Alberta. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Consumers cannot choose their distribution company. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| Apex Utilities | Apex Utilities Inc. is listed both as a distribution company and as a default retailer. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Apex Utilities is the default natural gas retailer in the Apex Utilities distributor area. Its own gas default rate is published separately from the Direct Energy Regulated Services rate. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | As a distributor, Apex Utilities delivers natural gas by address and you cannot choose it. As the default retailer in its area, you can stay with it or choose a competitive retailer. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| ATCO Energy | ATCO Energy is listed as a competitive retailer. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | ATCO Energy is a competitive retailer offering electricity and natural gas services for residential, small, business, farm consumers across Alberta. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Albertans can choose to purchase electricity and natural gas energy from a variety of licensed competitive retailers. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| Direct Energy | Direct Energy is a competitive retailer. The Alberta Utilities Commission does not regulate it. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Direct Energy says there are no service territory restrictions and you can sign up with it almost anywhere in Alberta. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Albertans can choose to purchase electricity and natural gas energy from a variety of licensed competitive retailers. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
| Direct Energy Regulated Services | Direct Energy Regulated Services is a regulated retailer. The Alberta Utilities Commission approves the plans for setting its gas and electricity rates. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | The default electricity retailer in the ATCO Electric area is Direct Energy Regulated Services. It is also the default natural gas retailer for ATCO Gas. (read 15 October 2026) [source] | Alberta utility consumers who do not sign a contract with a competitive retailer for natural gas or electricity are served by the default retailer in their area. (read 15 October 2026) [source] |
Which company owns the wires and pipes?
Distribution companies build and maintain the infrastructure that delivers power and natural gas. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
The wires and pipes company is set by your address. ENMAX Power, EPCOR Distribution, FortisAlberta and ATCO Electric deliver power. ATCO Gas North, ATCO Gas South and Apex Utilities deliver natural gas.
Who is the default supplier where I live?
Alberta utility consumers who do not sign a contract with a competitive retailer for natural gas or electricity are served by the default retailer in their area. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
For electricity, the default supplier is The default electricity retailer in the ENMAX Power area (Calgary) is ENMAX Energy. (read 15 October 2026) [source] The default electricity retailer in the EPCOR Distribution (Edmonton) and FortisAlberta areas is EPCOR. (read 15 October 2026) [source] The default electricity retailer in the ATCO Electric area is Direct Energy Regulated Services. It is also the default natural gas retailer for ATCO Gas. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
Which names are competitive retailers?
Albertans can choose to purchase electricity and natural gas energy from a variety of licensed competitive retailers. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
On this page the competitive names are EasyMax, Encor by EPCOR, ATCO Energy and Direct Energy. A competitive retailer sells you a plan. It does not own the wires or pipes. See the plans retailers sell today on our plans list.
Direct Energy or Direct Energy Regulated Services?
They are two companies with similar names. Direct Energy is a competitive retailer. The Alberta Utilities Commission does not regulate it. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
Direct Energy Regulated Services is a regulated retailer. The Alberta Utilities Commission approves the plans for setting its gas and electricity rates. (read 15 October 2026) [source] The default electricity retailer in the ATCO Electric area is Direct Energy Regulated Services. It is also the default natural gas retailer for ATCO Gas. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
Encor or EPCOR? EasyMax or ENMAX?
Encor is EPCOR’s competitive energy retailer, offering electricity and natural gas plans for Alberta homes and businesses. (read 15 October 2026) [source] EPCOR Distribution is the wires company, and EPCOR Energy Alberta is the default supplier in its areas.
Easymax by ENMAX Energy Corporation is listed as a competitive retailer. (read 15 October 2026) [source] ENMAX Power is the wires company in Calgary, and ENMAX Energy is the default supplier there.
Who regulates what?
The AUC is responsible for determining and approving distribution rates. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) reviews and approves the rates that default retailers offer. The Rate of Last Resort does not fluctuate and is reviewed every two years. The Default Rate Tariff may change monthly depending on market conditions. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
Competitive rates are offered by competitive retailers. To receive a competitive rate, the consumer must sign a contract. Competitive rates are set by the retailer. (read 15 October 2026) [source] Direct Energy is a competitive retailer. The Alberta Utilities Commission does not regulate it. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
What changes if I switch, and what does not
Consumers cannot choose their distribution company, as it is based upon location. If a consumer is in the same location, the distributor remains the same regardless of what kind of retailer is selected. (read 15 October 2026) [source]
The delivery portion of the utility bill is where consumers can see distribution and transmission charges, any applicable Municipal Franchise Fees or Local Access Fees, and rate riders. (read 15 October 2026) [source] These stay when you switch. Read how the town fee works.
What a switch can change is the energy price and the contract terms. Ask any retailer for its energy price, any administration charge and the contract terms before you sign. Read how switching works.
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Questions people ask
Is Direct Energy the same as Direct Energy Regulated Services?
No. Direct Energy is a competitive retailer that the Alberta Utilities Commission does not regulate. Direct Energy Regulated Services is a regulated retailer. It is the default supplier in some areas, so the two names can appear in different places on a bill or a letter.
Is Encor the same company as EPCOR?
They are connected but they play different roles. Encor is EPCOR’s competitive energy retailer, so you choose it by signing a plan. EPCOR also appears as a wires company and as a default supplier. Check the line on your bill to see which role a charge belongs to.
Is EasyMax the same as ENMAX?
EasyMax is a brand of ENMAX Energy Corporation and the Utilities Consumer Advocate lists it as a competitive retailer. ENMAX Power delivers power in Calgary and ENMAX Energy is the default supplier there. A person can be a customer of one of these, or of more than one.
Does switching retailers change my delivery company?
No. Consumers cannot choose their distribution company, because it follows your location. Switching can change the energy price and the contract terms. The delivery portion of the bill, with distribution and transmission charges and any town fee, stays attached to your address.
Sources
Written by the BillRobin team. Updated .
Show the 14 sources
- ATCO Electric: Home
- ATCO Gas: Home
- Direct Energy: the difference between Direct Energy and Direct Energy Regulated Services
- ENMAX: understanding the Rate of Last Resort
- EPCOR: Encor electricity plans
- FortisAlberta: About us
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: default rates
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: distributor details
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: How to choose a utility rate
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: retailer details
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Retailer details: ATCO Energy
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Retailer details: Easymax
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Retailer details: Encor
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Retailers and distributors
https://billrobin.com/ca/en/alberta/energy/enmax-epcor-atco-direct-energy-explained?utm_medium=share&utm_source=page
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