AlbertaEx Seeks Nationwide Electricity Export Permit

Summary#

On 5 December 2025, AlbertaEx G.P. Inc., on behalf of AlbertaEx, L.P., applied to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) to change its existing export permit, EPE-498, so it can export electricity from all international power lines in Canada rather than only from Alberta. The CER is asking for public comments before it decides and has set deadlines for written submissions.

What it does#

• Asks the CER to vary permit EPE-498, which allows export of up to 2 000 000 MWh of combined firm and interruptible energy annually for 10 years, so exports may originate from any international power line in Canada (not just Alberta).
• Notes that the Applicant or its affiliates have interests in these Canadian facilities:
  • Montana-Alberta Tie Line (MATL) — 230‑kilovolt (kV) transmission line, 345 km long, between Lethbridge (AB) and Great Falls (MT).
  • Rattlesnake Ridge Windfarm — 130‑megawatt (MW) wind farm near Medicine Hat (AB).
  • NAT-1 power plant — 20 MW natural gas–fired generator near Medicine Hat (AB).
  • AltaLink — transmission facility owner in Alberta.
• The CER (the Commission) wants public and stakeholder views before it either varies the permit or refers the matter to a licensing process under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act.
• Key steps and deadlines:
  • Application is available on the CER’s website and can be requested by email (regulatoryfilings@bhe-canada.ca).
  • Written submissions are due by 20 January 2026.
  • Any replies from the Applicant to those submissions are due by 5 February 2026.
  • The Commission specifically requests comments about the export’s effect on other provinces and whether domestic buyers were properly informed and given an opportunity to buy.

Who's affected#

• AlbertaEx G.P. Inc. and AlbertaEx, L.P. (the applicant) and their affiliates with generation or transmission interests.
• Owners and operators of international power lines and other electricity generators who may be used to supply export sales.
• Provinces other than Alberta, since the CER seeks views on impacts outside the province of origin.
• Businesses and organizations that declared an interest in buying electricity for use in Canada — the CER asks whether they were informed and offered comparable terms.
• Members of the public in affected regions and communities near export transmission infrastructure may notice changes, though the notice does not name specific local impacts.

Why it matters#

• Allowing exports to come from any Canadian international line could change which generators supply electricity to the U.S. instead of domestic consumers. That may affect how much power stays in a province and who gets first access to available electricity.
• The CER is seeking input to judge whether the proposed change would harm consumers or other provinces, and whether domestic buyers had a fair chance to purchase before exports occur.
• This is a consultation step — the request is not a final decision. The CER will consider submissions before deciding whether to vary the permit or require a fuller licensing process.