On February 4, 2025, the Affordability and Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf announced a new provincial campaign to raise awareness and inform Albertans under the Rate of Last Resort (RoLR) and encourage those consumers to switch to a competitive plan.
The campaign is planned for the next two years. Some details of the campaign include:
- All providers must clearly indicate on customers’ utility bills if they are on the Rate of Last Resort and inform them of their competitive retail market options.
- Every 90 days, the Utilities Consumer Advocate will contact all ratepayers on the Rate of Last Resort, confirm whether they would like to remain on the default rate and encourage them to explore their options.
In a separate press release, the Alberta government highlighted that many Albertans could save hundreds of dollars on their electricity bill by switching from the RoLR to a competitive option. The RoLR is currently set at approximately 12¢/kWh for the first two-year term and can only be adjusted by a maximum of 10% between terms. While the RoLR rate is lower than the previous RRO, it is still higher than many competitive electricity plans. As of February 2025, the lowest fixed rate plan is approximately 8¢/kWh. Switching to this plan from the RoLR will give you savings of roughly 2-4¢/kWh. According to the Market Surveillance Administrator, an average RoLR customer in the ENMAX service area could save around $428 over the first two-year term for the RoLR.
Credit: EnergyRates.ca. Data compiled from the Market Surveillance Administrator
If you are on the RoLR and want to make the switch to a competitive plan, here are some easy steps to follow:
Review your options
Before making the switch, explore the various electricity plans available in Alberta. Fixed rate plans are ideal for those seeking price stability while floating rates are more suited for customers looking for flexibility and can have lower rates when market prices are low. However, since floating rates are based on the current market price of electricity, they are susceptible to price spikes. Therefore, floating rate customers should be comfortable managing price volatility.
Choosing between the two rate options largely comes down to personal preference. As we have highlighted earlier, some consumers will be better suited for a fixed-rate plan over a floating rate plan, and vice versa.
One of the best ways to compare competitive electricity plans in Alberta is with our pricing matrix. The matrix lists both fixed and floating rate plans from various retailers and is organized from cheapest to most expensive. All you have to do is enter your postal code in the form above, select your consumption range (residential or business), and pick electricity as your utility option.
You can find below a snippet of the residential Alberta fixed-rate plans available on our plan comparison page:
Retailer | Advertised Electricity Price/kWh | Total Retail Fee/kWh | Site Fee | Term & Cancellation Fee | Company/Plan | Plan Details | Total Retail Fee/kWh | |
 | ¢7.68
| ¢10.04 | $12.49 - $12.74 | 12 months No Fee - 10 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢7.68 1 Year Fixed Electricity | Term: 12 months Monthly Admin Fee: $12.49 - $12.74 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 10 days' notice | ¢10.04
| |
 | ¢8.63 | ¢10.16 | $8.10 - $8.37 | 24 months No Fee - 15 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.63 2 Year Guaranteed Rate | Term: 24 months Monthly Admin Fee: $8.10 - $8.37 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 15 days' notice | ¢10.16 | |
 With 2-Year Natural Gas Bundle | ¢8.15 | ¢10.22 (With 2-Year Natural Gas Bundle) | $10.99 | 24 months No Fee - 15 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.15 2-Year Natural Gas Rate | Term: 24 months Monthly Admin Fee: $10.99 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 15 days' notice | ¢10.22 (With 2-Year Natural Gas Bundle) | |
 | ¢8.77 | ¢10.28 | $8.00 | 36 months No Fee - 10 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.77 3 Year Base Rate | Term: 36 months Monthly Admin Fee: $8.00 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 10 days' notice | ¢10.28 | |
| ¢7.98 | ¢10.34 | $12.49 - $12.74 | 36 months No Fee - 10 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢7.98 3 Year Fixed Electricity | Term: 36 months Monthly Admin Fee: $12.49 - $12.74 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 10 days' notice | ¢10.34
| |
| ¢8.89 | ¢10.40 | $8.00 | 12 months No Fee - 10 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.89 1 Year Base Rate | Term: 12 months Monthly Admin Fee: $8.00 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 10 days' notice | ¢10.40
| |
| ¢8.65 | ¢10.54 | $9.99 | 24 months No Fee - 15 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.65 2 Year Guaranteed Rate | Term: 24 months Monthly Admin Fee: $8.99 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 15 days' notice | ¢10.54 | |
 | ¢8.79 | ¢10.66 | $9.90 - $10.23 | 36 months No Fee - 30 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.79 3 Year Fixed | Term: 36 months Monthly Admin Fee: $9.90 - $10.23 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 30 days' notice | ¢10.66 | |
 | ¢8.37 | ¢10.73 | $12.50 ($10 if bundled) | 24 months No Fee - 30 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.37 2 Year Plan | Term: 24 months Monthly Admin Fee: $12.50 ($10 if bundled) Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 30 days' notice | ¢10.73 | |
| ¢8.75 | ¢10.82 | $10.99 | 36 months No Fee - 15 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.75 3 Year Guaranteed Rate | Term: 36 months Monthly Admin Fee: $10.99 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 15 days' notice | ¢10.82 | |
3-year Power + Protection Bundle Save $360 on an Appliance Protection Plan | ¢8.75 | ¢10.82 | $10.99 | 36 months No Fee - 15 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.75 3-year Power + Protection Bundle - Save $360 on an Appliance Protection Plan | Term: 36 months Monthly Admin Fee: $10.99 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 15 days' notice | ¢10.82 | |
 | ¢7.295 | ¢10.83 | $18.69 - 18.98 | 12 months No Fee - 30 days' notice | or call (855) 511-3505 | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢7.295 1 Year Residential Fixed Electricity Rate | Term: 12 months Monthly Admin Fee: $18.69 - 18.98 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 30 days' notice | ¢10.83 or call (855) 511-3505 |
| ¢8.99 | ¢10.86 | $9.90 - $10.23 | 12 months No Fee - 30 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.99 1 Year Fixed | Term: 12 months Monthly Admin Fee: $9.90 - $10.23 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 30 days' notice | ¢10.86 | |
| ¢8.99 | ¢10.88 | $9.99 | 12 months No Fee - 15 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.99 1 Year Guaranteed Rate | Term: 12 months Monthly Admin Fee: $9.99 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 15 days' notice | ¢10.88 | |
| ¢8.57 | ¢10.93 | $12.50 ($10 if bundled) | 36 months No Fee - 30 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.57 3 Year Plan | Term: 36 months Monthly Admin Fee: $12.50 ($10 if bundled) Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 30 days' notice | ¢10.93 | |
| ¢8.99 | ¢11.35 | $12.49 - $12.74 | 60 months No Fee - 10 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.99 5 Year Fixed Electricity | Term: 60 months Monthly Admin Fee: $12.49 - $12.74 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 10 days' notice | ¢11.35
| |
 | ¢8.99 | ¢11.51 | $13.35 | 12 months No Fee - 10 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.99 1 Year Fixed Electricity Rate | Term: 12 months Monthly Admin Fee: $13.35 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 10 days' notice | ¢11.51 | |
| ¢8.148 | ¢11.68 | $18.69 - 18.98 | 36 months No Fee - 30 days' notice | or call (855) 511-3505 | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.148 3 Year Residential Fixed Electricity Rate | Term: 36 months Monthly Admin Fee: $18.69 - 18.98 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 30 days' notice | ¢11.68 or call (855) 511-3505 |
| ¢9.99 | ¢11.86
| $9.90 - $10.23 | 60 months No Fee - 30 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢9.99 5 Year Fixed | Term: 60 months Monthly Admin Fee: $9.90 - $10.23 | ¢11.86
| |
| ¢9.57
| ¢11.93
| $12.50 ($10 if bundled) | 12 months No Fee - 30 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢9.57 1 Year Plan | Term: 12 months Monthly Admin Fee: $12.50 ($10 if bundled) Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 30 days' notice | ¢11.93
| |
| ¢9.57 | ¢11.93 | $12.50 ($10 if bundled) | 60 months No Fee - 30 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢9.57 5 Year Plan | Term: 60 months Monthly Admin Fee: $12.50 ($10 if bundled) Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 30 days' notice | ¢11.93 | |
| ¢9.99 | ¢12.06 | $9.99 | 60 months No Fee - 15 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢9.99 5 Year Guaranteed Rate | Term: 60 months Monthly Admin Fee: $9.99 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 15 days' notice | ¢12.06 | |
| ¢8.58 | ¢12.11 | $18.69 - 18.98 | 60 months No Fee - 30 days' notice | or call (855) 511-3505 | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢8.58 5 Year Residential Fixed Electricity Rate | Term: 60 months Monthly Admin Fee: $18.69 - 18.98 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 30 days' notice | ¢12.11 or call (855) 511-3505 |
| ¢9.60 | ¢12.12 | $13.35 | 36 months No Fee - 10 days' notice | Advertised Price/kWh: ¢9.60 3 Year Fixed Electricity Rate | Term: 36 months Monthly Admin Fee: $13.35 Cancellation Fee: No Fee - 10 days' notice | ¢12.12 |
Exiting the RoLR
Unlike customers on fixed or floating rate plans, RoLR customers are not signed to a contract. Rather, those customers not signed to a competitive electricity contract are signed to a regulated retailer by default. While some RoLR retailers may have terms and conditions on their website, those RoLR customers can exit the plan without providing a cancellation notice and at no cost.
Sign up for a plan
Now that you’ve picked an electricity provider and plan, the next step is to sign up for your plan. Most providers allow customers to sign up online, making the process quick and easy. In most cases, all you need is your banking info, address and personal information (e.g., birthdate and contact info), and your site ID. You can also choose the start date for your plan. For example, Sponsor Energy allows customers to either start their service immediately or select a future date.
Post sign up
There may be some final actions required after switching from the Rate of Last Resort to a competitive electricity plan. Customers are responsible for paying their previous retailer up until the switch date occurs. Any amounts owing will have to be paid as payments and credits cannot be transferred between retailers. If you change your mind about your plan, competitive retailers are required to have a cooling-off period of ten calendar days in which customers can exit a contract for any reason without a penalty.
To learn more about switching retailers, check out our in-depth article here.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current RoLR rate?
The following are the RoLR rates for the ENMAX, EPCOR, and Direct Energy Regulated Services (DERS) for the 2025-2026 term:
- EPCOR area: 12.01 cents/kWh
- ENMAX area: 12.06 cents/kWh
- DERS area: 12.02 cents/kWh
When should I expect my first bill from my new utility provider?
You should receive your first bill from your new utility provider within a month of signing up with them. If you do not receive a bill in a months time, contact the retailer to ensure your account is active.
