DRW Energy Electricity Export Application

Summary#

• DRW Energy Trading Canada ULC has applied to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) to export up to 1,752,000 MWh of electricity per year for 10 years.
• The Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator is asking for public comments before it decides whether to issue a permit or move the application to a licensing process. Comments are due by 26 May 2025.

What it does#

• Asks the CER for permission to export electricity to the United States under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act (Division 2 of Part 7).
• Requests authority to export up to 1,752,000 MWh of combined firm and interruptible energy each year for 10 years.
• Seeks public input on two main points:
  • The effect of the export on provinces other than the one the electricity would come from.
  • Whether the applicant has told people who wanted to buy electricity in Canada about the sale and given them a fair chance to buy on similar terms.
• Gives deadlines:
  • Written submissions to the CER and the applicant by 26 May 2025.
  • Any reply from the applicant to submissions by 10 June 2025.
• Notes the application is publicly available on the CER website and can be requested by email from the applicant.

Who's affected#

• DRW Energy Trading Canada ULC (the company applying).
• Provincial governments and electricity system planners — the Commission specifically asks about effects on provinces other than the one exporting.
• People or organizations in Canada that have expressed interest in buying electricity — the Commission wants to know if they were properly informed and given an opportunity to buy.
• Electricity market participants such as utilities, large buyers, and cross‑border traders may also notice the change.
• If it’s unclear who else will be affected, the CER’s public comment process is meant to surface those concerns.

Why it matters#

• A permit to export this amount of power for 10 years could affect supply and prices in Canadian provinces, especially if the electricity would have been available for domestic buyers.
• The Commission’s questions aim to protect Canadian buyers and provincial interests by checking whether domestic demand was considered and given a fair chance.
• This is a chance for affected parties and the public to raise concerns or support before the CER makes a decision.