Energy demand is rising substantially as Alberta’s population and industrial sectors continue to grow. Since the electricity grid is a primary driver of power to businesses, residential areas, and farms across the province, it is essential to understand how it works and the role of the Alberta Electricity System Operator (AESO).   

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for managing and operating the province’s electricity grid, while sustaining the balance between supply and demand with enough power generated to meet Alberta’s needs at any season.   

Secondarily, AESO ensures equal opportunity among power producers by monitoring the wholesale electricity market and providing efficient electricity delivery. AESO successfully implements those operations by planning long-term production, and determining modernization needs and potential investments that would sustain Alberta’s power system as it advances.   

Considering that Alberta’s total power output has increased by 11.3 per cent in 2024 (it reached 23,122 megawatts (MW)), the province is preparing to meet even higher electricity demand during the winter months. The system controllers and forecasters systematically observe current and forecasted conditions to maintain grid reliability throughout various circumstances.   

The consistent improvement of how the electricity system conditions are shared with utilities, media, and industry partners is also the reason why, on December 16, 2025, the AESO enhanced its Grid Conditions Communication Process.   

The Vice-President of Grid Reliability, Rob Davidson, stated that the updates attest to the best practices used across North America. He added that the most impact comes from focusing Albertans’ attention through communication, while providing government and industry partners with systematic and relevant information.  

The implemented changes reflect Alberta’s grid operations and are developed to limit grid alerts to actual power emergencies, provide better transparency about grid stability, and improve the connection with Independent System Operators (ISOs) across North America.   

To maintain reliability without requiring public action, grid operators utilize tools and systems that help to implement new communication processes that help to provide Albertans with critical updates and ensure the grid controllers benefit from public response when the grid is under maximum stress.   

What is Changing in AESO Grid Conditions?  

Following recent changes, the AESO is optimizing its communication protocols, particularly during periods of high demand. These improvements include refined grid condition categories to ensure greater transparency in public appeals.  

Upgraded Grid Classifications:   

• Normal: The electricity grid is stable in maintaining energy reserves, and energy supply and demand are balanced.   

• Watch: While energy capacity remains unimpaired, all available energy is being used to ensure grid stability.   

• Attention: To maintain the reliability of the grid, all available energy and even partial energy capacity are being used. The alert also notifies the increased power demand and potential supply interruptions. At this stage, Albertans are advised to reduce energy use.   

• Energy Emergency: Controlled temporary outages may occur due to emergency conditions where all reserves are being used, and the grid cannot meet current demand. Albertans are asked to reduce energy use promptly since resource conservation is critical.   

What New Tools Are Available in AESO Grid Conditions?  

The introduced digital tools are intended to ensure that the grid updates are accessible and easy to understand, including the Grid Conditions landing page (such as historical grid conditions and required actions), and Email Subscription Services (to allow the public and stakeholders to subscribe for automated updates).   

Depending on the user’s needs, the email subscription offers the following alerts:  

• Grid reliability alerts, which are high-priority notifications.   

• Weekly market reports, including technical summaries for industry insiders.  

• Media releases with strategic updates and high-level policy announcements.  

During a crisis, AESO utilizes the following delivery channels:  

– Direct email that contains detailed explanations and follow-up reports.  

– AESO 24/7 mobile app that is a primary tool for real-time grid status notifications.   

– Alberta emergency alert that sends “Amber Alert” pings to cell phones when AESO coordinates with the provincial government.  

What Does Alberta’s Electricity Grid Look Like?  

The electricity Albertans use is derived from several sources, such as natural gas, coal, solar, hydroelectric and wind. Those energy sources are integrated into a network that generates, transmits, and distributes power to reach cities and rural areas in Alberta.   

The transmission lines allow electricity to move across long distances efficiently and safely due to connections to substations that lower the voltage. Such seamless integration ensures uninterrupted energy access.    

What are AESO Electricity Grid Alerts?  

Issued by AESO, electricity grid alerts will activate when the power system is under stress, meaning high demand or an electricity supply deficit. Spikes in consumption that trigger those alerts could be caused by several factors, such as outages at power plants or extreme weather.   

The crucial role of grid alerts is to inform the public and energy operators about potential supply shortfalls, advising them to reduce electricity demand and protect the grid from power outages. By reducing the energy usage when the alert goes on, the public can assist to ease the strain on the system.   

As we mentioned in Understanding AESO’s Grid Alerts, grid alert announcements are issued when AESO is preparing to use emergency reserves to maintain system reliability and meet rising demand during heat waves or deep freezes, based on wind conditions, unplanned outages, and other factors that are often out of AESO’s control. 

However, AESO grid alerts are different from AESO grid conditions and the updated form of communication.   

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