Trafigura seeks 10-year US electricity export permit
Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 28: COMMISSIONS
Trafigura Canada Limited has applied to the Canada Energy Regulator for authority to export up to 5,000,000 MWh per year (firm and interruptible) to the United States for 10 years. The CER is accepting written comments on the application and will consider effects on other provinces and whether Canadian buyers were offered the power on comparable terms. Written submissions are due by 2025-08-11; the applicant may reply by 2025-09-02.
Summary
Summary#
An application from Trafigura Canada Limited (filed 3 July 2025) asks the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) for permission to export up to 5,000,000 MWh of electricity each year for 10 years to the United States. The CER is asking for public input before deciding and has set deadlines for written comments.
What it does#
- The application asks the CER, under Division 2 of Part 7 of the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, for authority to export electricity to the United States.
- The export quantity requested is up to 5,000,000 MWh per year, made up of firm and interruptible supplies, for a period of 10 years.
- The CER is asking interested parties to submit written comments by 11 August 2025 and allows the applicant to reply to those submissions by 2 September 2025.
- The applicant will provide a copy of its filing on request (email: PowerOpsComplianceNA@trafigura.com) and the application is also on the CER website.
Who's affected#
- Trafigura Canada Limited (the company that applied).
- Electricity market participants such as generators, large buyers, utilities, and energy traders who might sell or buy cross‑border power.
- Provincial governments and regulators, because the CER specifically asks about effects on provinces other than the one supplying the export.
- Consumers and communities could be indirectly affected if exports influence local supply or prices — the notice does not say which province the power would come from.
Why it matters#
- Large exports can change how much electricity stays in Canada versus what goes to the U.S. That can matter for local supply, prices, and planning by provincial utilities.
- The CER is seeking input on whether people or companies in Canada who wanted to buy the power were properly told and given a fair chance to buy it first. That affects fairness in domestic markets.
- This is a decision about cross‑border trade in energy. The public comment period is the main chance for interested groups to raise concerns or support before the regulator moves forward.
Key topics
Source: Canada Gazette