Isolated Generating Units and Customer Choice Regulation

(Consolidated up to 81/2024) ALBERTA REGULATION 165/2003 Electric Utilities Act ISOLATED GENERATING UNITS AND CUSTOMER CHOICE REGULATION Table of Contents 1 Definitions Part 1 Provision of Electric Energy To Areas Not Connected to the Interconnected Electric System Division 1 Isolated Communities 2 Duty to make electric energy available 3 Recovery of costs Division 2 Industrial Areas 4 Duty to make electric energy available 5 Recovery of costs 6 Exception to section 4 Division 4 Mobile Units 12 Commission approval of mobile units 13 Owner decision re mobile units Division 5 Border Customers 14 Definitions 15 Duty to make arrangements for electric energy 16 Recovery of costs Part 2 Rules Relating To Sale of Isolated Generating Units 17 Sale offering 18 Commission approval of sale offering and proposal 19 Eligibility to bid 20 No bids received 21 One or more bids received 22 Completion of sale Part 3 Recovery of Costs Relating To Isolated Generating Units 25 Negotiated settlement Part 4 General Provisions 26 Decreased load 27 Reliable supply or increased load 27.1 Designations within service areas 27.2 Update to the Schedule Part 5 Repeal, Expiry and Coming Into Force 28 Repeal 29 Expiry 30 Coming into force Schedule Definitions 1 In this Regulation, (a) “Act” means the Electric Utilities Act ; (b) “Department” means the Department of Affordability and Utilities; (b.1) “energy storage resource” means an energy storage resource as defined in the Act; (b.2) “generating unit” means a generating unit as defined in the Act; (c) “industrial area” means (i) an area (A) in which electric energy is provided to a customer by an isolated generating unit listed in Part B of the Schedule, and (B) in which an electric distribution system exists, or (ii) an area that has been designated by the Commission as an industrial area under section 27.1; (d) repealed AR 274/2006 s2; (e) “isolated community” means (i) a community (A) in which electric energy is provided to a customer by an isolated generating unit listed in Part A of the Schedule, and (B) in which an electric distribution system exists, or (ii) a community that has been designated by the Commission as an isolated community under section 27.1; (f) “isolated generating unit or an energy storage resource” means a generating unit or an energy storage resource listed in the Schedule or that has been designated by the Commission as an isolated generating unit under section 27.1; (g) repealed AR 274/2006 s2; (h) “mobile unit” means an isolated generating unit listed in Part C of the Schedule or that has been designated by the Commission as a mobile isolated generating unit under section 27.1. AR 165/2003 s1;274/2006;254/2007;216/2022;38/2024 Part 1 Provision of Electric Energy to Areas not Connected to the Interconnected Electric System Division 1 Isolated Communities Duty to make electric energy available 2 The owner of the electric distribution system in whose service area an isolated community is located (a) must make electric energy available to customers in the isolated community, and (b) must include in its application for approval of a tariff under section 119 of the Act the costs associated with providing electric energy to customers in the isolated community. Recovery of costs 3 The costs associated with providing electric energy to customers in an isolated community must be paid in accordance with the following: (a) retailers arranging for the purchase of electric energy on behalf of customers in an isolated community must pay the Independent System Operator the pool price for electric energy they purchase; (b) the owner of the electric distribution system in whose service area the isolated community is located must pay the Independent System Operator for system access service as if the isolated community were being provided with system access service via the interconnected electric system; (c) the Independent System Operator must pay the owner referred to in clause (b) the costs associated with providing electric energy to an isolated community in accordance with the tariff approved by the Commission pursuant to section 124 of the Act; (d) the Independent System Operator must include in its tariff prepared pursuant to section 30 of the Act (i) the amount received by the Independent System Operator pursuant to clause (a), and (ii) the amount paid by the Independent System Operator pursuant to clause (c). AR 165/2003 s3;254/2007 Division 2 Industrial Areas Duty to make electric energy available 4 The owner of the electric distribution system in whose service area an industrial area is located (a) must make electric energy available to customers in the industrial area, and (b) must include in its application for approval of a tariff under section 119 of the Act the costs associated with providing electric energy to customers in the industrial area. Recovery of costs 5 The costs associated with providing electric energy to customers in an industrial area must be paid in accordance with the tariff approved by the Commission pursuant to section 124 of the Act. AR 165/2003 s5;254/2007 Exception to section 4 6 A customer in an industrial area may use electric energy that is produced on the customer’s premises by a supplier of the customer’s choice if the electric energy is consumed only on the customer’s premises. 7 to 11 Repealed AR 274/2006 s4. Division 4 Mobile Units Commission approval of mobile units 12 (1) The owner of an electric distribution system to which section 2 or 4 applies (a) must identify the mobile units that it considers necessary to provide a reliable supply of electric energy to an isolated community or industrial area, as the case may be, and (b) must include in its application for approval of a tariff under section 119 of the Act the costs associated with the mobile units identified under clause (a). (2) In approving the tariff under section 124 of the Act relating to mobile units, the Commission must approve only the costs associated with the mobile units that, in its opinion, are necessary to provide a reliable supply of electric energy to the isolated community or industrial area, as the case may be. AR 165/2003 s12;254/2007 Owner decision re mobile units 13 (1) After the Commission makes an order approving the tariff under section 124 of the Act relating to mobile units, the owner must decide whether to sell the mobile units that the Commission in accordance with section 12(2) does not consider necessary. (2) If the owner decides to sell the mobile units, Part 2 applies to the sale. (3) If the owner decides not to sell the mobile units, the owner must notify the Commission of its decision not to sell the mobile units and identify the mobile units. (4) On the date the owner decides not to sell the mobile units, the mobile units are deemed to be struck from Part C of the Schedule until the Schedule is amended. AR 165/2003 s13;274/2006;254/2007;38/2024 Division 5 Border Customers Definitions 14 In this Division, (a) “border customer” means a customer in Alberta (i) who receives or will receive electric energy through a connection to an electric distribution system or transmission system located outside Alberta, and (ii) who is not directly connected to the interconnected electric system; (b) “extra‑provincial supplier” means any one or more suppliers of electric energy that are located outside Alberta and who supply electric energy to an owner. AR 165/2003 s14;274/2006 Duty to make arrangements for electric energy 15 The owner of the electric distribution system in whose service area a border customer is located (a) must make arrangements for the provision of electric energy to the customer, and (b) must include in its application for approval of a tariff under section 119 of the Act the costs associated with making arrangements for the provision of electric energy to border customers. Recovery of costs 16 The costs associated with making arrangements for the provision of electric energy to border customers must be paid in accordance with the following: (a) retailers arranging for the purchase of electric energy on behalf of border customers must pay the Independent System Operator the pool price for electric energy they purchase; (b) the Independent System Operator must pay the owner of the electric distribution system in whose service area the border customer is located the amount collected under clause (a) for electric energy; (c) the owner must pay the extra‑provincial supplier for electric energy supplied by the extra‑provincial supplier at the rate agreed to between the owner and the extra‑provincial supplier; (d) the owner must include in its tariff prepared pursuant to section 119 of the Act (i) the amount received by the owner pursuant to clause (b), and (ii) the amount paid by the owner to the extra‑provincial supplier pursuant to clause (c). Part 2 Rules Relating to Sale of Isolated Generating Units Sale offering 17 (1) Where the owner of an isolated generating unit decides to sell an isolated generating unit under section 13(2) or 26(2), the owner must offer the isolated generating unit for sale through a widely publicized sale offering in a manner that does not in any way (a) make the sale offering less attractive, or (b) discourage or restrict any potential bid that could be made in response to the sale offering. (2) An owner does not make a sale offering less attractive simply by offering to sell an isolated generating unit at the location where it is situated on the date of the offer to sell. AR 165/2003 s17;274/2006 Commission approval of sale offering and proposal 18 (1) Before advertising a sale offering, the owner must submit to the Commission the sale offering and a proposal as to how section 17 is intended to be complied with. (2) If on reviewing the proposal submitted under subsection (1) the Commission is satisfied that section 17 will be complied with, the owner must proceed with the sale offering in accordance with the proposal. (3) If on reviewing the proposal submitted under subsection (1) the Commission is not satisfied that section 17 will be complied with, (a) the Commission must provide directions to the owner to amend the proposal, and (b) the owner must comply with the directions of the Commission and proceed with the sale offering in accordance with the amended proposal. AR 165/2003 s18;254/2007 Eligibility to bid 19 The owner of an isolated generating unit referred to in the sale offering, and its affiliate, are not eligible to bid in response to the sale offering. No bids received 20 (1) If an isolated generating unit is not sold because no bids are received for the isolated generating unit, the owner of the isolated generating unit must notify the Commission that the isolated generating unit did not sell and identify the isolated generating unit. (2) On the date the Commission approves an application under section 124 of the Act which contains costs and expenses relating to an isolated generating unit that is not sold because no bids are received, the isolated generating unit is deemed to be struck from Part A, Part B or Part C, as the case may be, of the Schedule until the Schedule is amended. AR 165/2003 s20;274/2006;254/2007;38/2024 One or more bids received 21 (1) If, in respect of an isolated generating unit referred to in the sale offering, (a) only one bid is received, the Commission must accept the bid and, by order, approve the sale of that isolated generating unit, or (b) more than one bid is received, the Commission must accept the highest bid and, by order, approve the sale of that isolated generating unit. (2) If there is a dispute as to which bid is the highest bid, the Commission must determine which bid is the highest bid. AR 165/2003 s21;254/2007 Completion of sale 22 (1) On completing the sale of an isolated generating unit, the owner of the isolated generating unit must notify the Commission that the isolated generating unit sold and identify the isolated generating unit. (2) On the date the Commission approves an application under section 124 of the Act which contains costs and expenses relating to an isolated generating unit that sold, the isolated generating unit is deemed to be struck from Part A, Part B or Part C, as the case may be, of the Schedule until the Schedule is amended. AR 165/2003 s22;274/2006;254/2007;38/2024 23 Repealed AR 38/2024 s6. Part 3 Recovery of Costs Relating to Isolated Generating Units 24 Repealed AR 274/2006 s10. Negotiated settlement 25 (1) Subject to subsection (3), any amounts that ATCO Electric Ltd. is entitled to recover as determined in accordance with (a) the Isolated Generating Reclamation Costs Negotiated Settlement approved by the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board in Decision 2002‑102 dated December 3, 2002, and (b) the Isolated Generating Reclamation Costs for Decommissioned Sites Negotiated Settlement approved by the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board in Decision 2003‑036 dated May 13, 2003 must be included in an application by ATCO Electric Ltd. for approval of a tariff under section 119 of the Act. (2) The amounts that ATCO Electric Ltd. is entitled to recover under subsection (1) must be paid in accordance with the tariff approved by the Commission under section 124 of the Act. (3) Subsection (1) does not, in respect of the Decisions referred to in subsection (1)(a) and (b), limit or restrict any of the powers of the Commission, including but not limited to the powers of the Commission under the Act and under the Alberta Utilities Commission Act . AR 165/2003 s25;274/2006;254/2007;38/2024 Part 4 General Provisions Decreased load 26 (1) Where an isolated generating unit is no longer required to provide electric energy as a result of an isolated community or industrial area requiring less electric energy or being connected to the interconnected electric system, the owner of the isolated generating unit must decide whether to sell the isolated generating unit. (2) If the owner decides to sell the isolated generating unit, Part 2 applies. (3) If the owner decides not to sell the isolated generating unit, the owner must notify the Commission of its decision not to sell the isolated generating unit and identify the isolated generating unit. (4) On the date the owner decides not to sell the isolated generating unit, the isolated generating unit is deemed to be struck from Part A or Part B, as the case may be, of the Schedule until the Schedule is amended. AR 165/2003 s26;274/2006;254/2007;38/2024 Reliable supply or increased load 27 (1) Where, in order to maintain a reliable supply of electric energy or to provide more electric energy to an isolated community or industrial area, (a) an isolated generating unit is to be replaced, or (b) an additional generating unit or energy storage resource is required, an owner must apply to the Commission for approval of the replacement of the isolated generating unit or the addition of a generating unit or energy storage resource. (2) If the Commission receives an application under subsection (1), the Commission may approve the application if, in the opinion of the Commission, the connection of the isolated community or industrial area to the interconnected electric system is not economic. (3) Where the replacement of an isolated generating unit or the addition of a generating unit or energy storage resource is approved under subsection (1), the Commission must include the costs associated with the unit in the tariff approved under section 124 of the Act. (4) On the date the Commission approves an application made under subsection (1), a generating unit or energy storage resource is an isolated generating unit and is deemed to be included in Part A, Part B or Part C, as the case may be, of the Schedule until the Schedule is amended. AR 165/2003 s27;274/2006;254/2007;38/2024 Designations within service areas 27.1 (1) The Commission may designate an area within the service area of an owner of an electric distribution system as an isolated community or an industrial area if, in the opinion of the Commission, (a) the connection to the interconnected electric system of the customers within the designated area is not economic, and (b) the designation is expected to provide the customers within the designated area with a more economic source of electric energy than customers making their own arrangements for electric energy. (2) When the Commission makes a designation under subsection (1), the isolated community or industrial area is deemed to be included in Part A or Part B, as the case may be, of the Schedule until the Schedule is amended. (3) The Commission may designate a generating unit or an energy storage resource as an isolated generating unit and may designate an isolated generating unit as (a) an industrial area isolated generating unit, (b) an isolated community isolated generating unit, or (c) a mobile isolated generating unit. (4) When the Commission makes a designation under subsection (3), the generating unit or energy storage resource is deemed to be included in Part A, Part B or Part C, as the case may be, of the Schedule until the Schedule is amended. (5) If the Commission approves the addition of an isolated generating unit under subsection (3), the Commission must include the costs associated with the unit in the tariff approved pursuant to section 124 of the Act. AR 274/2006 s14;254/2007;38/2024 Update to the Schedule 27.2 (1) The owner of the electric distribution system in whose service area an isolated generating unit is located must, once each calendar year, provide to the Department a written report that specifies all of the isolated generating units in the owner’s service area (a) that are included or have been deemed to be included as part of the Schedule, and (b) that have been deemed to be struck from the Schedule. (2) Before the owner provides the report to the Department, the owner must obtain written confirmation from the Commission that the list of isolated generating units and related information included in the Schedule is, as of the date of the report, up‑to‑date. AR 274/2006 s14;254/2007 Part 5 Repeal, Expiry and Coming into Force Repeal 28 The Isolated Generating Units and Customer Choice Regulation (AR 329/2000) is repealed. Expiry 29 For the purpose of ensuring that this Regulation is reviewed for ongoing relevancy and necessity, with the option that it may be repassed in its present or an amended form following a review, this Regulation expires on April 30, 2029. AR 165/2003 s29;53/2013;11/2018;83/2021;81/2024 Coming into force 30 This Regulation comes into force on the coming into force of Parts 1 to 10 of the Electric Utilities Act , SA 2003 cE‑5.1. Schedule Isolated Regulated Generating Units and Regions Served by those Units Part A Isolated Community Isolated Generating Unit Fuel Type Rating (kW) Chipewyan Lake CUL 446 Diesel 214 CUL 542 Diesel 227 Indian Cabins CUL 458 Diesel 50 CUL 605 Diesel 50 Jasper CUL 47 Natural Gas 3000 CUL 183 Natural Gas 1000 CUL 189 Natural Gas 3300 CUL 190 Natural Gas 3300 CUL 330 Natural Gas 500 CUL 368 Natural Gas 2880 CUL 464 Diesel 180 Narrows Point CUL 280 Diesel 60 CUL 429 Diesel 35 CUL 430 Diesel 50 CUL 483 Diesel 56 Peace Point CUL 439 Diesel 30 CUL 593 Diesel 30 PV 2 Solar PV 55 Steen River Town CUL 504 Diesel 56 CUL 505 Diesel 56 Third Lake CUL 453 Diesel 1145 CUL 454 Diesel 1145 CUL 455 Diesel 1145 CUL 456 Diesel 1145 PV 1 Solar PV 456 Part B Isolated Community Isolated Generating Unit Fuel Type Rating (kW) Stowe Creek CUL 256 Natural Gas 400 CUL 361 Diesel 500 CUL 424 Natural Gas 500 Part C Isolated Generating units that are Mobile Units Fuel Type Rating (kW) CUL 306 Diesel 140 CUL 308 Diesel 140 CUL 309 Diesel 140 CUL 331 Diesel 1000 CUL 360 Diesel 1000 CUL 406 Natural Gas 1000 CUL 407 Diesel 1000 CUL 433 Diesel 430 AR 165/2003 Sched.;274/2006;53/2013;38/2024