Edmonton Natural Gas and Electricity Retailers
Residents of Edmonton have their choice of just about every energy retailer operating in Alberta. The largest and most well-known of these energy companies are:
- AltaGas
- ATCO Energy
- Burst Energy
- Direct Energy
- Encor by EPCOR
- ENMAX Energy
- Hudson Energy
- Just Energy
- TransAlta
- Spot Power
In addition, there are roughly two dozen smaller energy companies operating in the area, and this list is always growing. The Rate of Last Resort (ROLR) retailer of electricity in Edmonton is EPCOR Energy Alberta, which sells electricity at the ROLR rate. Direct Energy Services is the city’s ROLR retailer of natural gas.
The cheapest natural gas and electricity rates in Edmonton: Try our energy rate comparison form above to learn about the natural gas retailers in your area, and what rates and plans they currently have to offer. The cost comparison tool also allows you to compare utilities in Edmonton as well as their electricity rates.
History of Electricity and Natural Gas in Edmonton
The City of Edmonton is the capital of Alberta, and is the second-largest city in the province, with an estimated population of 1,060,667 within its metro area in 2024. Established in 1892, Edmonton actually predates the existence of the province. It became the capital of Alberta when the province was formed in 1905 — its population of 8,500 residents at the time comprised a tiny fraction of the total provincial population of 185,000.
Despite Edmonton’s initial small size, the city figured largely in the history of Canadian energy production. The Edmonton Electric Lighting and Power Company was created in 1891. The City of Edmonton acquired the company in 1902, reforming it as a municipal utility, Edmonton Power. Now known as EPCOR, it is one of the largest electricity and natural gas companies in Canada.
The city’s development was delayed compared to other Albertan towns founded near gas and oil reserves, mainly because Alberta reserved all rights to the natural resources of the area when the province was created. The city wasn’t allowed to touch the natural gas and oil reserves that surrounded it boundaries. The provincial government didn’t release its ownership of the area’s mineral rights until 1930.
The city’s growth took off with the 1947 oil boom thanks to the discovery of oil near Leduc, 35 kilometres away. The city’s fortunes grew steadily until oil prices declined in the 1980s. However, increased interest in the development of the Athabasca oil sands has led to an influx of people and capital.
Edmonton, the one-time “Oil Capital of Canada” has worked to stay competitive in an increasingly fraught natural gas and oil market. Companies in the city have spent decades developing technology for processing various petroleum reserves, with investments in the field second only to competitors in Saudi Arabia. At present, major oil- and natural gas-related projects in Edmonton are valued at $34.4 billion, comprising 59.5 percent of the city’s current economic development.
Moving to Edmonton?
How to set up your utilities in Edmonton
Whether you’re moving to the city for the first time or just switching residences, setting up your utility services ahead of the move can help you stave off a headache on your moving day. Fortunately, setting up your utilities is as simple as a quick phone call.
Two weeks or more before your move, compare utility services to decide which retailer has a rate and contract you’d prefer at your new address and give them a call or visit their site. Retailers may request a deposit or add an installation fee to your first monthly bill. Confirm with the retailer whether or not you can waive a deposit (some allow it if you set up automatic payment withdrawals with your bank).
To set up an account your retailer may request the following:
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- Full name
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- Phone number
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- New home address
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- Move-in date (or date you need services connected)
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- An additional piece of I.D.
If you’re already cutting close on your move-in date, you might need to set up your utilities through your ROLR provider, as competitive realtors may need more notice before setting up your account.
Transferring or cancelling services
If you are sticking with your current retailer, then you will need to provide them with your new address and your desired move-out and move-in date. If you will no longer need their services, give at least two months’ notice of your end date.
How much is the average utility bill in Edmonton?
Many ask this question and there isn’t a clear way to answer this due to the diverse rates of consumption and utility prices. Nevertheless, we can give a primer on what to expect on your bill.
The average Albertan household uses roughly 7,200 kWh of electricity annually, which amounts to 600 kWh per month. The average EPCOR ROLR rate in Edmonton for 2023 was 20.205 ¢/kWh. Using these estimates, the average household electricity bill came to $126, which does not factor in the associated distributor & transmission or administrative fees that are included in your energy bill.
$0.21 per kWh x 600 kWh per month = $96 per month
(based on average price and average consumption)
Likewise, the average household consumes 110 GJ of natural gas annually, for 9 GJ each month. In 2023, the average ROLR rate came to approximately $4.29/GJ based on the UCA rates average. This brings the average gas bill to approximately $54, again omitting distributor, transmission and admin fees.
$4.29 per GJ x 9 GJ per month = $38.61 per month
(based on average price and average consumption)
