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Alberta’s Electricity Prices Reach Surprising Low

· · Leave a Comment Consumer Info, Electricity, Interesting

Alberta’s Electricity Prices Reach Surprising Low

Alberta’s residents enjoyed shockingly low electricity prices in 2017, the cheapest in at least 20 years. According to researchers, electricity prices have not been this low in Alberta since 1997.   

While Alberta electricity consumers are benefitting with choices of low usage rates, this isn’t necessarily good news for electricity generation companies.  Growth in demand for power from the grid slowed down while new generation facilities came online to help supply outweigh demand which was reflected in the market with decreased pricing.  Prices did slightly climb through the last 6 months of 2017 and are likely to climb still higher throughout 2018.

 

Alberta’s Electricity Costs Compared

According some data put out by Hydro Quebec, the cost to power the average Alberta home is about $145 per month.  Contrasted with the rest of Canada, Albertans are benefiting from the 2017 low market prices. Quebec residents averaged the lowest at $100 per month and Prince Edward Island averaged the highest at $230 per month.

 

Canadian residents, however, have some of the lowest electric bills anywhere in the world, and the average Canadian resident pays less for electricity than the average American household. In fact, according to 2017 data only India, China, South Africa, Brazil, and Czech Republic pay less for electricity than Canada.

 

Alberta Enacts Carbon Tax

As of January 1, 2017, Alberta enacted a carbon tax on consumable carbon based fuels based on a price $20 per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted,  a number that will rise to $30 per tonne in January 1, 2018.  While the carbon tax is not directly applied to consumers’ electricity bills, it will be factored into the wholesale cost for electricity since currently around 90% of electricity in Alberta is generated by burning coal and natural gas (both of which the carbon tax applies to).

The market conditions in 2017 has allowed Alberta’s electricity price to reach record lows and consumers on a Variable Rate have benefited from low relatively stable pricing.  Unfortunately wholesale pricing forecasts are starting to trend upwards as demand starts to increase and the effects of coal phase out will begin to take place.

With upward pricing in mind, as we head into 2018, it would be good for Alberta consumers to consider putting themselves onto a Fixed Rate Plan to protect themselves from the upward trends and any volatility that may come with the changing marketplace.  Remember with Park Power you are never locked in and can cancel or change rates for free at any time.

 

 

 

 

 

See You at the Keep It Local Marketplace this Fall

· · Leave a Comment Community Building, Consumer Info, Electricity, Interesting

Do you want to eat, shop, and connect with local businesses in our community? Want to get a head start on Christmas shopping?

Don’t miss the Keep It Local Marketplace at Sherwood Park!

 

Keep It Local Marketplace is a variety of unique vendors, stage entertainment, and good food, and Park Power is a proud Gold Sponsor of this event on November 4th.

 

The Keep It Local Marketplace will feature more than 60 vendors showcasing local business and community resources – including family and parenting related items, jewelry, fashion and home products, and specialized services that we are always on the lookout for!

 

Bring the whole family! Sunshine Generation, a performing group that teaches song and dance to children ages 3 and up, will perform TWICE on our stage at Local Love. You do not want to miss watching these talented performers with your kids!

 

And there will also be a performance by Keltie Monaghan, the 16 year old a singer/songwriter with a unique voice who received a prestigious Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for her first single “Someone Tell Her” in 2016 when she was just 15!

 

Some of your favorite local food vendors like Fuge Fine Meats, Mona’s Kitchen, Steeped Tea, Juice Plus, Choco-liscious, Maza Foods, and Epicure  will also be there!

 

Want to Promote Your Local Business?

 

Vendor registration is still open. Here’s your chance to connect with the community. Click here to apply for the Fall Market.

 

Keep it Local project Trivia

 

While searching for performance venues for her kids, Jenni discovered that Sherwood Park didn’t have a focused event that connected the community to local businesses. With so many great local businesses and agencies in the area, it was an easy decision for Jenni to create an event that would build these connections and support the community.

 

Make sure you don’t miss this fall event! See you on Saturday, November 4, 2017 – 10am to 4pm at in the Agora at the Sherwood Park Community Centre (401 Festival Lane).

 

The best part? Admission is FREE!

 

Regulated vs. Competitive Providers: Alberta’s Rate Options for Electricity and Natural Gas

· · Leave a Comment Consumer Info, Electricity, Interesting

Regulated vs. Competitive Providers: Alberta’s Rate Options for Electricity and Natural Gas

As an Alberta resident or business owner, shopping for a new energy supply is your right, and you should know that you have options as to where to purchase your electricity and natural gas supplies.

The two types of Alberta energy providers are (1) utilities that offer regulated rate options and (2) competitive energy marketers or retailers.

Regulated Providers

If you don’t sign up for service with a Competitive Provider for natural gas or electricity, you will be served by a Regulated Provider.

The regulated rates can change from month to month.  How they are set is reviewed and approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).

Choosing to get your services from a Regulated Provider means that you will receive two separate bills each month – one for electricity and one for natural gas (most likely a paper bill in the mail).  Regulated Providers will bill you for your electricity and natural gas on a month to month basis with the rates changing each month.

The pros of choosing a Regulated Provider are the following:
You don’t sign a contract.
A price drop in the market means you may share the savings. (although this is available with a Competitive Provider’s Variable Rate)
You don’t pay any early exit fees for canceling the regulated rate service (not something Park Power customers are subject to)

The cons of choosing a Regulated Provider are the following:
Because the regulated rate reflects the current market price, the monthly costs are less predictable due to the fluctuating market.
Your bill can be affected by volatile price spikes.
You can’t bundle your services through a Regulated Provider you will have your electricity and natural gas bill from separate providers.

Competitive Providers

When you choose a Competitive Provider, you have more rate options available to you, Fixed, Variable, and Green Energy.

The pros of choosing a Competitive Provider are the following:
When you choose a Fixed Price, you gain peace of mind knowing you will be paying the same rates regardless of market conditions.
Fixed price contracts can protect you against short-term price increases due to the fluctuating market.
Only a Competitive Provider can offer to both electricity and natural gas.

The cons of choosing a Competitive Provider are the following:
If the market rates drop, Fixed Price customers may locked into a contract price for the term of the contract
And should you choose to end your contract before the agreed term, some retailers impose early exit fees (again Park Power does not do this).

The choice is entirely up to you if you would like to continue with your utility’s regulated rate option or switch to a plan from a marketer operating in your area.   Switching energy services typically takes 5 to 10 days.

Deciding on a new plan for electricity and natural gas requires that you do your research.
Comparing all your options will help you get the plan features, rate structure, and term length that best suit your needs.

Remember that Park Power offers low rates, awesome service, and shares 10% of our profits with charities.

Park Power Sponsors Saffron Centre Consent Event Walk & Fun Run

· · Leave a Comment Community Building, Consumer Info, Interesting

Park Power is very proud to be a sponsor of the Saffron Centre Consent Event Walk & Fun Run 2017.

Happening Saturday May 27, 2017 at Broadmoor Lake in Sherwood Park, this event is an annual fundraiser that supports the Saffron Centre in their mission of working to support the healing and empowerment of those who have been affected by sexual assault, abuse and sexual violence; and to promote change in attitudes, beliefs and social norms surrounding this issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With May being Sexual Violence Awareness Month the Consent Event is a great opportunity to come out and show your community that you care.  To show that you want to make a difference in the lives of those affected by sexual assault and violence.  Please come out and join Park Power to support this great organization.

 

https://youtu.be/GlEPvnkWy24

 

Solar Rebates and Energy Efficiency Program in Alberta

· · Leave a Comment Consumer Info, Electricity, Interesting, Solar Power

Take advantage of the Government of Alberta Solar Rebates and Energy Efficiency Programs!
I encourage you to check out the Energy Efficiency Alberta website as it has been recently updated with an easy interface providing lots of information about all the energy savings programs currently being offered to Albertans.

It also a good place to inform yourselves about what the Energy Efficiency Agency does and to learn some tips on being efficient with your energy usage.

 

The Residential and Commercial Solar Program will offer rebates to homeowners, businesses and non-profits that install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.  The details have not been finalized yet but we can expect to see this program launching as early as Summer 2017.  We should expect to see it provide rebates of up to 30% for residential and up to 25% for commercial/non-profit PV installations.

This solar incentive program is creating a lot of consumer buzz about the Alberta Solar industry these days that coincides well with the Renewable Electricity Program(REP) .  With the Alberta Government and the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) launching the REP, Alberta will see up to 400 MW of new solar pv generating capacity installed onto the electricity grid, presenting viable opportunities for some utility scale solar production in Alberta.

These two initiatives will definitely contribute towards the government’s goal of Alberta’s electricity grid being supplied by up to 30% renewable energy by 2030.

If you have more interest in solar pv systems, the Solar Energy Society of Alberta is a great resource but also stay tuned to info from Park Power on how you can start taking charge of your electricity usage with solar power.  Below you will find information about the other incentive programs available to Albertans.

If you have not already, consumers can still sign up for the Residential No-Charge Energy Savings Program.  This program offers direct, no-charge installation of energy efficient products across the province, in rural and urban houses, apartments and condos. Whether you own or rent your home, an Energy Efficiency Alberta installer will visit your home and conduct a walk through to identify potential opportunities for energy-efficient upgrades at no charge. Most homes can be upgraded in one to three hours.

Another way that Energy Efficiency Alberta is trying to get consumers to be more energy efficient is through the Instant Savings Program.  On their webpage, they even provide a Store Locator to allow you find the participating retailers near you.

Albertans who plan on purchasing a new refrigerator, clothes washer, or smart thermostat, are able to upload receipts of purchases made on or after April 28, 2017 to apply for rebates on their purchases.

For those Albertans that are thinking about some larger improvements to their homes, the Home Improvements Program is offering rebates on the purchase of new insulation, windows, and tankless hot water heaters.

Energy Efficiency Alberta is also offering programs for commercial, non-profit, and institutional consumers.  The Business, Non-Profit and Institutional Energy Savings Program offers incentives to encourage organizations to replace outdated and inefficient equipment faster than they may normally, to help reduce emissions.

 

There you have it, plenty of incentives for Albertans to become more energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint. After which they can Sign Up with Park Power to get lower rates on their electricity and natural gas usage.