Altop Energy electricity export application

Summary#

The Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator is inviting public comment on an application from Altop Energy Investments LP (filed 11 February 2025) to export up to 5 000 000 MWh of electricity per year to the United States for 10 years. The Commission will consider those comments before deciding whether to issue a permit or move the application to a formal licensing process.

What it does#

• Altop Energy Investments LP applied under Division 2 of Part 7 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act for authorization to export up to 5 000 000 MWh (combined firm and interruptible energy) annually for 10 years.
• The Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator is asking for public views before making a decision.
• Written submissions must be filed online and emailed to the applicant by 23 March 2025.
• If the applicant wants to reply to submissions, those replies must be filed by 7 April 2025.
• The application is available on the Canada Energy Regulator website, and the applicant will email a copy on request (tradeops@altopenergy.com).
• Contact and filing options are provided by the CER; the notice is signed by Ramona Sladic, Secretary of the Commission.

Who's affected#

• Electricity exporters or companies that trade cross‑border power, including Altop Energy Investments LP and its potential buyers.
• Canadian utilities, large industrial buyers, and other parties that buy wholesale electricity in Canada who may have had prior interest in buying this power.
• Provincial authorities and grid operators — the Commission specifically asks about effects on provinces other than the one supplying the exported electricity.
• General electricity consumers may be affected indirectly through wholesale market or supply changes.
• It is not clear from the notice which province the exports would come from; that could change which local stakeholders are most affected.

Why it matters#

• Approving the export could move large amounts of electricity out of Canada and into U.S. markets. That can influence how much power is available in certain provinces, and could affect wholesale prices, contracts, and planning by utilities and grid operators.
• The public comment process gives communities, utilities, and provincial governments a chance to raise concerns about local impacts or lost opportunities to buy the power for use in Canada.
• This is an application under review — not an approval. The Commission will decide after considering the submissions it receives.