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To find out how Burst Energy can improve your current electricity and natural gas services, give us a call today.
Please email quotes@burstenergy.ca
Please email quotes@burstenergy.ca
Electricity
Natural Gas




Starting with a new natural gas service can feel like a lot at first, but it does not have to be stressful. Once you know the basics, it becomes much easier to feel confident at home or at work. At Burst Energy, we want new customers to feel informed from day one. Safe habits, clear instructions, and a little attention go a long way. 1. Learn Where Everything Is The first step is simple: know where your gas shut-off valve, meter, and major gas appliances are located. You do not need to become an expert overnight, but you should know…
Read More about Natural Gas Safety Tips for New CustomersWhen comparing electricity and natural gas providers in Alberta, many customers focus primarily on the advertised energy rate. While the price per kilowatt-hour is important, it’s not the only factor that affects your monthly bill. Some energy plans include additional charges that may not be obvious at first glance. Understanding these potential fees can help you choose a provider with confidence and avoid surprises on your utility bill. Here are some common hidden fees to watch for when selecting an energy provider. Administration Fees Most energy providers charge a monthly administration fee to cover account management, billing, and customer service…
Read More about Hidden Fees to Watch for When Choosing an Energy ProviderChoosing the right electricity plan is one of the most important decisions you can make when selecting an energy provider. In Alberta’s deregulated energy market, customers typically have two main options: floating (variable) rates or fixed rates. Each pricing model has its advantages, and the best option depends on your lifestyle, budget, and comfort level with market changes. Understanding how these plans work can help you make an informed decision about your electricity costs. What Is a Fixed Electricity Rate? A fixed electricity rate locks in your price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for a set period, often one to five years.…
Read More about How to Decide Between Floating and Fixed Electricity RatesSaving energy doesn’t always require major upgrades or expensive renovations. In many cases, simple daily habits can make a meaningful difference in how much electricity and natural gas your home or business uses. By making small changes to how you use energy throughout the day, you can reduce waste, lower your monthly bills, and make your home more efficient. Here are some easy habits that can help improve your energy savings over time. Turn Off Lights and Electronics When Not in Use One of the simplest ways to save energy is by turning off lights and electronics when they’re not…
Read More about Everyday Habits That Improve Energy SavingsIf you live in Alberta, you may have heard the term “deregulated electricity market” — but what does that actually mean for you as a homeowner, business owner, or farmer? Understanding how electricity deregulation works can help you make smarter decisions about your energy provider, your pricing plan, and your monthly bills. In this guide, we’ll break it down in simple terms, so you know exactly how Alberta’s electricity market works and how it benefits you. What Is Electricity Deregulation? Electricity deregulation means that customers in Alberta can choose who supplies their electricity. Instead of being locked into one…
Read More about How Electricity Deregulation Works in AlbertaIf you’ve ever noticed your electricity bill going up or down from month to month, you’re not alone. Many Albertans wonder why power prices can change so frequently and what factors influence their monthly costs. Because Alberta operates in a deregulated energy market, electricity prices are affected by several economic, environmental, and market-related factors. Understanding what drives these changes can help you make smarter decisions about your energy plan and budget. Let’s take a closer look at what affects electricity prices in Alberta. 1. Supply and Demand One of the biggest factors influencing electricity prices is supply and demand.…
Read More about What Affects Electricity Prices in Alberta?To find out how Burst Energy can improve your current electricity and natural gas services, give us a call today.
Please email quotes@burstenergy.ca
As an energy consumer, signing with Burst Energy allows you to access your energy resources at near wholesale pricing, often well below other competitive retail or RRO rates.
While the market is a blend of both regulated and unregulated entities, the Government of Alberta is responsible for the primary oversight of the province’s electric system, including generation, transmission, distribution and retailing.
Government of Alberta entities include:
For more information on Competitive Retailers in Alberta visit the Utilities Consumer Advocate’s website.
Welcome to the Burst Energy Family, we’re glad you came!
In Alberta, consumers choose to purchase electricity either from a regulated retailer whose rates are set using a government formula, or from a competitive retailer, licensed by Alberta Government Services (AGS).
Consumers who do not choose to sign a contract with a competitive retailer, will utilize the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) as a default supplier. As of July 1, 2010 the calculation used to determine RRO pricing has been based on 100% month-ahead projected pricing instead of a blend of short and long term hedges.
Competitive electricity retailers will often purchase electricity for their customers through a combination of long-term or short-term contracts with generators, or they can also buy electricity directly from the wholesale spot market based on the published hourly price.
The Retailer must be registered with the Wires Operator and is invoiced for all regulated wires services. This cost is passed to the consumer as part of the Retailer’s monthly customer bill.
Following voltage reduction, electricity travels via low-voltage distribution wire lines to customers.
The Wires Operators (distributors) and franchise territories include:
These distributors are responsible for both the delivery of electricity and meter reading.
Excluding the wire rates posted by operating REAs, the AUC is responsible for the review and approval of the Wire Operators’ tariff rates, to ensure reasonable and principled pricing. The tariff rate recovers costs associated with the design, maintenance, construction and financing of the electrical distribution system, as well as meter monitoring, and finally, profit to the supplier.
Electricity is sent from the generating plants over high-voltage transmission lines to substations that use transformers to reduce voltage levels. Regulated rates for transmission are set by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) and are managed by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO).
The AUC approves the construction and operation of all transmission facilities in Alberta. They also establish Regulated Transmission Rates. The AESO administers the rates and oversees the transmission system to ensure equal access for all market participants. Distribution companies then pass on (flow through) transmission charges to retailers in their service area. Transmission charges are based on rates approved by the AUC, and on each consumer’s individual energy usage. Retailers, in turn, pass these transmission charges on to the consumer as part of their monthly consumption charge.
The need for new transmission lines has normally been analyzed by Alberta’s Electric System Operator (AESO), and reviewed in public hearings before the AUC. The Government of Alberta has recently changed the electric industry legislation, allowing cabinet to mandate the construction of critical transmission infrastructure. This change has proven controversial.
Alberta has built very little transmission in the past 20 years. The need for substantial system reinforcement is widely recognized, however, the size, timing and technology of these transmission additions is unprecedented and has caused some degree of division among the province’s users.
Since all costs associated with the bulk transmission system are paid by customers and no bulk transmissions system costs are paid by generators, the removal of the public needs assessment process, and its replacement by a closed-door cabinet decision making process, has resulted in opposition by those who feel the decision making process should invoke end users.
Conversely, proponents of the new system maintain that expanding transmission capacity will facilitate green power development, increase generator competition, and open up new internal and external supply options for customers within and outside of Alberta.
Following the deregulation of the Alberta electricity market, electricity generators began selling their power to the Alberta Electric Systems Operator (AESO). This concept is commonly referred to as an “Energy Only Market,” and is the current practice in Alberta. For more information, download a report on the “State of the Market.”
A number of new facilities have been built since 2000, and interconnections between Alberta and British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Montana are essential in meeting the electricity demands in Alberta. Approximately 2% of the province’s electrical requirements are currently supplied under import agreements.


Interconnections between British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Montana are also an essential component to the supply of electricity to meet the demand in Alberta with about 2% of the provincial requirements being supplied under import agreements.