Delivery is the half of your bill that pays for the wires and pipes. The regulator sets it. It is the same whichever retailer you choose. It has three parts: transmission, distribution and riders.
Delivery is a large share of a typical bill. See what typical homes pay in your city on our typical Alberta bills page.
What is the difference between transmission and distribution?
Transmission charges cover moving electricity from generating facilities through high-voltage lines to the substation transformers of your distribution utility. (from 1 January 2026) [source]
Distribution charges cover moving electricity from those transformers through local, lower-voltage lines to your meter. (from 1 January 2026) [source]
The Alberta Utilities Commission approves and regulates transmission rates, and the transmission charge on an electricity bill is based on how much electricity you use. (from 1 January 2026) [source]
The Alberta Utilities Commission regulates distribution rates for ENMAX, EPCOR, FortisAlberta and ATCO Electric. Councils or boards approve them for Cardston, Ponoka, Red Deer, Lethbridge and rural electrification associations. (from 1 January 2026) [source]
Natural gas works the same way in two steps. Natural gas transmission charges cover moving gas from where it is produced to distribution companies. Distribution charges have a fixed daily part and a variable part, and cover delivering gas to you. (from 1 January 2026) [source]
Why is part of it charged by the day?
The fixed daily charge keeps your connection ready. You pay it whether or not you use energy. The charge per kWh or per GJ rises and falls with your use. Using less lowers only that part.
The table below shows both kinds for each distributor. Electricity is billed per kWh and natural gas per GJ.
What is a rider?
A rate rider is a temporary credit or charge that can appear on electricity and natural gas bills, used to recover the actual cost of providing utility services. It can also refund customers who were overcharged. (from 1 January 2026) [source]
A company that needs a rate rider applies to the Alberta Utilities Commission. A rider is applied to bills for a set period and only after the Commission approves it. (from 1 January 2026) [source]
Rate riders are updated monthly, quarterly or annually to reflect the actual cost of providing service for a specific period. (from 1 January 2026) [source]
A rider can be a charge or a credit. A credit shows as a negative number in the table.
What is the balancing pool rider?
The Balancing Pool allocation rider is a flow-through of an amount from the Alberta Electric System Operator, shown on its own line for transparency. It passes on the Balancing Pool refund or collection the distributor receives through the AESO Rider F. (from 1 January 2026) [source]
Distributors name it differently. It is Rider G at EPCOR and Rider B at ATCO Electric. ENMAX and FortisAlberta call it the balancing pool allocation rider. The distributor passes it on and does not keep it.
Why do some areas pay more for delivery?
Distribution charges are higher in rural Alberta than in urban areas because of low population density and longer distances between customer sites. (from 1 January 2026) [source]
Your address decides your distributor, so you cannot choose a cheaper one. The table shows the difference between areas.
Delivery charges by distributor
These are the residential charges in force today, each from its dated tariff. Select a source link to see the document.
| Distributor | Fixed daily charges | Charges per kWh or per GJ | Riders |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPCOR (Edmonton), electricity | Distribution, fixed: C$0.72856 per day (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Distribution: 1.783¢ per kWh (from 1 January 2026) [source] Transmission: 4.050¢ per kWh (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Rider G balancing pool: 0.130¢ per kWh (1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] Rider J SAS true up: -0.016¢ per kWh (1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] Rider K transmission deferral true up: 0.103¢ per kWh (from 1 October 2026) [source] |
| FortisAlberta, electricity | Distribution, fixed: C$1.034442 per day (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Distribution: 3.3477¢ per kWh (from 1 January 2026) [source] Transmission: 4.2560¢ per kWh (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Balancing pool allocation rider: 0.1198¢ per kWh (from 1 January 2026) [source] Quarterly transmission adjustment rider: 0.0155¢ per kWh (1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] Base transmission adjustment rider: -0.59% (from 1 January 2026) [source] |
| ATCO Gas North, natural gas | Distribution, fixed: C$0.997 per day (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Distribution: C$1.049 per GJ (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Rider L load balancing deferral: C$0.091 per GJ (1 May 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] Rider T transmission service charge: C$1.357 per GJ (from 1 January 2026) [source] |
| ENMAX Power (Calgary), electricity | Distribution, fixed: C$0.769463 per day (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Distribution: 1.5477¢ per kWh (from 1 January 2026) [source] Transmission: 3.8996¢ per kWh (from 1 January 2026) [source] | TAC deferral account rider: 0.0483¢ per kWh (1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] Balancing pool allocation rider: 0.1290¢ per kWh (from 1 January 2026) [source] Quarterly transmission adjustment rider: 0.0583¢ per kWh (1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] |
| ATCO Electric, electricity | Distribution, fixed: C$1.4125 per day (from 1 January 2026) [source] Service, fixed: C$0.2698 per day (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Distribution: 9.03¢ per kWh (from 1 January 2026) [source] Transmission: 4.79¢ per kWh (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Rider B balancing pool: 0.133¢ per kWh (1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] Rider G temporary adjustment: -0.212¢ per kWh (1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] Rider S SAS deferral: 0.068¢ per kWh (1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] |
| ATCO Gas South, natural gas | Distribution, fixed: C$0.876 per day (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Distribution: C$1.000 per GJ (from 1 January 2026) [source] | Rider T transmission service charge: C$1.357 per GJ (from 1 January 2026) [source] Rider L load balancing deferral: C$0.091 per GJ (1 May 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] Rider W weather deferral: C$0.325 per GJ (1 September 2026 to 31 December 2026) [source] |
| Apex Utilities, natural gas | Distribution, fixed: C$2.028 per day (from 1 August 2026) [source] | Distribution: C$2.948 per GJ (from 1 August 2026) [source] | Rider G third party transportation: C$0.869 per GJ (from 1 January 2026) [source] Rider L load balancing deferral: C$0.172 per GJ (1 May 2025 to 31 October 2026) [source] |
A charge shown as not checked yet is one we have not confirmed from the current tariff. It is not zero.
Can I lower my delivery charges?
Using less energy lowers the charges billed per kWh or per GJ. It does not change the fixed daily charges. Switching retailers changes no delivery charge. Delivery belongs to your distributor, not your retailer.
Town fees are separate. See our guide to franchise and local access fees. If your bill is higher than you expect, read what to do about a high utility bill.
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Questions people ask
What is the delivery part of my Alberta bill?
It is the charge for moving electricity or natural gas to your home. It pays for transmission, distribution and riders, and it shows on your bill apart from the energy you use. A regulator approves it, and it is the same whichever retailer you choose at your address.
What is the difference between transmission and distribution?
Transmission moves energy over long distances from where it is produced to your local utility. Distribution carries it through local lines or pipes to your meter. Both appear as delivery charges on your bill, and the regulator approves the rates for both of them.
Why are my delivery charges higher in the country?
Distribution costs more where homes are far apart, because there are fewer customers to share the cost of each kilometre of line or pipe. That is why rural areas served by some utilities pay more than city customers do, even when they use the same energy.
Will switching retailers lower my delivery charges?
No. Your distributor sets delivery charges for your address, and the regulator approves them. A different retailer changes only the energy part of your bill, not the wires or pipes. Using less energy lowers the charges that are billed per kWh or per GJ.
Sources
Written by the BillRobin team. Updated .
Show the 30 sources
- AESO: Rider F, Balancing Pool consumer allocation rider
- Alberta Utilities Commission: Apex Utilities Inc., Appendix 2 - Rate schedules, Phase 2 Compliance Filing, Rates 1 and 11 effective August 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: Apex Utilities Inc., Rate Rider G Third-Party Transportation Rate Rider, effective January 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: Apex Utilities Inc., Rate Rider L Load Balancing Deferral Account Rider, effective May 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: ATCO Electric Ltd., Appendix 3 - 2026 interim price schedules, effective January 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: ATCO Electric Ltd., Quarterly AESO DTS Deferral Account Rider S Application - Q4 2026, effective October 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: ATCO Electric Ltd., Rider G Temporary Adjustment, effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd., ATCO Gas South Interim Rate Schedules, January 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd., ATCO Gas South Transmission Service Charge (Rider T) Rate Schedule, January 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd., South Rider "L" to all rates for crediting or debiting Load Balancing Deferral Account balances, effective May 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd., South Rider "W" Weather Deferral Account Rider, effective September 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: AUC Disposition 31030-D01-2026 (September 11, 2026), Appendix 1 - FortisAlberta Inc. 2026 Q4 QTAR filing, Rider Schedules (Quarterly Transmission Adjustment Rider)
- Alberta Utilities Commission: AUC Disposition 31032-D01-2026 (September 11, 2026), Appendix 1 - EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc. Rider K, Transmission Charge Deferral Account True-Up Rider (Short-Term Adjustment, effective October 1, 2026)
- Alberta Utilities Commission: Distribution rates
- Alberta Utilities Commission: ENMAX Power Corporation, Appendix 3 - 2026 interim rate schedule, rates in effect as of January 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: ENMAX Power Corporation, Quarterly Transmission Access Charge ("TAC") Adjustment Rider, effective October 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: ENMAX Power Corporation, Rider F, 2026 Balancing Pool Allocation Rider, effective January 1, 2026
- Alberta Utilities Commission: EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc., 2026 Annual Performance-Based Regulation Rate Adjustment, Appendix 3 - 2026 Interim distribution access service rates (DT - Schedule 1, Distribution Access Service Tariff, effective January 1, 2026)
- Alberta Utilities Commission: EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc., 2026 Annual Performance-Based Regulation Rate Adjustment, Appendix 4 - 2026 Interim system access service rates (DT - Schedule A, effective January 1, 2026)
- Alberta Utilities Commission: EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc., Appendix 10 - Rider J, SAS True-Up Rider (Interim Adjustment, effective January 1, 2026)
- Alberta Utilities Commission: EPCOR Distribution & Transmission Inc., Appendix 9 - 2026 Balancing Pool Rider G (Temporary Adjustment, effective January 1, 2026)
- Alberta Utilities Commission: FortisAlberta Inc., 2026 Annual Performance-Based Regulation Rate Adjustment, Appendix 3 - 2026 interim rate schedule (Interim Rates, Options and Riders Schedules, January 1, 2026)
- Alberta Utilities Commission: Rate riders
- Alberta Utilities Commission: Transmission rates
- ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd., ATCO Gas North Rate Schedules, effective August 1, 2026
- EPCOR: How distribution and transmission rates are set
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Rate riders
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Residential electricity delivery charges
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Residential natural gas delivery charges
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Understanding rate classes
https://billrobin.com/ca/en/alberta/energy/transmission-distribution-and-riders?utm_medium=share&utm_source=page
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