Electricity Rates Alberta: What Meta’s AI Data Centre Could Mean for Your Energy Bill
Alberta's electricity market is facing a major new test. Meta is building a 1-gigawatt (GW) artificial intelligence data centre in Sturgeon County, north of Edmonton. The project represents an investment of more than $13 billion and will become one of the largest electricity-consuming facilities in the province.
But here's the part that matters to every Alberta electricity consumer:
How will this massive new demand affect electricity rates — and what can you do to protect your bottom line?
A Data Centre That Could Use as Much Power as a City
According to reporting by The Energy Mix, Meta's AI data centre could require the equivalent electricity demand of approximately 876,000 homes — roughly the size of Edmonton's electricity demand.
Meta's long-term plan includes dedicated natural-gas generation through the Greenlight Electricity Centre. However, the first 932 MW phase of that facility is not expected to begin operating until the second half of 2030. In the meantime, Meta has rights to connect to Alberta's electricity grid and has also secured other power arrangements.
That timing creates an important question.
What happens when huge new electricity demand arrives before the corresponding generation is online?
Energy experts have raised concerns that additional demand could put upward pressure on wholesale electricity prices during the interim period.
David Pickup, Director of Electricity at the Pembina Institute, told The Energy Mix:
“It’s really this big new demand without big new supply, and the gap in timing between those two things.”
Pickup warned that increased competition for electricity could increase wholesale costs, which could ultimately affect consumers.
The Alberta government has taken a different position. Premier Danielle Smith has said that Meta will ultimately provide its own generation and that large energy consumers will follow the same rules as others in Alberta.
“There is the ‘Rate of Last Resort,’ which is a regulated rate ensuring that anyone who defaults to that rate never pays more and gets surprised, and we also have residential consumers on a fixed price contract that is actually lower than the regulated rate,” — Danielle Smith, Alberta Premier (source: energyrates.ca)
So who is right? The answer may depend on your energy strategy. And this issue isn't limited to homeowners. Large commercial, small business and residential consumers could all be affected by changes in Alberta's electricity market.
Large Commercial: Don't leave your energy budget to chance
For a large commercial or industrial operation, electricity price volatility can have a significant impact on operating costs. A large facility may consume hundreds of thousands or even millions of kilowatt-hours each year. A relatively small change in the price per kWh can therefore translate into a substantial change in annual energy costs.
This is where 8760's Large Commercial Energy Program takes a different approach.
Since 2004, 8760 has helped Alberta businesses manage electricity and natural gas expenses through data-driven energy management strategies.
Our 360-Degree Integrated Energy Management Approach goes beyond comparing basic kWh or GJ prices. We help large commercial clients:
Secure competitive energy rates through an aggregated, formal procurement process, and plan ahead by monitoring market conditions and preparing procurement strategies before contracts expire. We represent 30,000+ commercial energy sites across Alberta to negotiate smarter energy solutions for businesses. Better visibility. Better decisions. Better Utility Bill Management. Even if your business is already locked into an energy contract, there may still be opportunities to optimize other components of your utility costs.
Review and optimize regulated delivery charges that can represent a significant portion of a utility bill.While you cannot simply “shop” for a different regulated delivery rate, your delivery charges may not always be optimized. Your rate class, billing demand, metering configuration, and other components of the bill can create opportunities for cost optimization. At 8760, our energy experts perform a deep-dive utility bill audit to identify exact areas where your facility may be overpaying on delivery. When savings opportunities are identified, our clients see an average of $12,000 in annual savings.
Reduce unnecessary consumption through Energy Efficiency Services. We provide data-driven energy efficiency solutions for small commercial to large industrial facilities. Rather than selling one-off reports, we focus on full utility bill optimization to lower operational costs, reduce demand and transmission (D&T) charges, and improve equipment performance.
Don't just manage the energy rate. Manage the entire energy bill. Learn more about the 8760 Large Commercial Energy Program.
Is Alberta’s Rate of Last Resort Really Protecting Your Bottom Line?
Since January 2025, Alberta's former Regulated Rate Option (RRO) has been replaced by the Rate of Last Resort (RoLR). The RoLR is the default electricity rate for customers who have not selected a competitive electricity plan. For the current 2025–2026 term, the rates are: EPCOR: 12.01¢/kWh | ENMAX: 12.06¢/kWh | Direct Energy Regulated Services: 12.02¢/kWh
The current term ends on December 31, 2026. The next two-year rate period begins January 1, 2027. Under the current structure, the RoLR can increase or decrease by a maximum of 10% at the end of the two-year term.
That does not mean the rate will increase by 10%. It means Alberta consumers should be prepared for the possibility of a change when the next term begins. The Alberta Utilities Commission approves the regulated rates, and the exact rates for 2027–2028 will determine what customers pay under the next RoLR term.
Are you on the Rate of Last Resort? Check your latest electricity bill. If you see: “Rate of Last Resort” or “Regulated Services” you may be on the default electricity rate. You don't have to stay there. Alberta consumers can choose a competitive electricity retailer and select a fixed or variable electricity plan that better fits their needs. You have option to pay less with 8760 Small Buisness Energy Program and 8760 Home Energy Program.
Small Business: Electricity Rates Alberta Businesses Can Control
Small businesses face a different challenge. A restaurant, retail store, office, automotive business or other commercial operation may not have the purchasing volume of a large industrial customer, but electricity and natural gas can still represent a meaningful operating expense.
For businesses with monthly utility bills under approximately $5,000, 8760's Small Business Energy Program provides access to competitive fixed electricity and natural gas rates.
Effective October 1, 2026, the listed rates for the 8760 Small Business Energy Program begin at 7.68¢/kWh for 1-Year Fixed Small Commercial Electricity and at $4.08/GJ for 1-Year Fixed Small Commercial Natural Gas.
These are energy supply rates. Delivery charges, administration fees, taxes and other charges may also appear on a business utility bill. For a small business owner, a fixed contract can provide greater budget predictability when market conditions are uncertain.
Home Energy: Protect Your Household Budget
Residential consumers are facing the same broader market uncertainty.
Growing electricity demand, changing generation capacity and the upcoming RoLR review make it increasingly important to understand what you're paying for electricity — and what options are available.
Thanks to Alberta’s deregulated energy market, you have the freedom to shop for competitive electricity and natural gas rates. At 8760, our Home Energy Program offer complete rate transparency and flexibility. Choose from 1-, 2-, 3-, or 5-year fixed terms to protect your budget from market spikes. Check out our lowest rates as of October 1, 2026: 1-Year Fixed Electricity starting at 6.98¢/kWh | 1-Year Fixed Natural Gas starting at $3.28/GJ
The 8760 Home Energy Program now includes 2-year fixed options alongside 1-, 3- and 5-year terms, giving Alberta households more flexibility when deciding how long they want to lock in their energy pricing. For comparison, the current EPCOR Rate of Last Resort is 12.01¢/kWh before applicable administration and other charges.
Of course, the best option depends on your consumption, current contract, administration fees, delivery charges and other factors. That's why comparing your current bill is more useful than simply looking at a headline rate.
Help Albertans take back control of their energy expenses.
The Meta AI data center is just one aspect of a significant transformation occurring in Alberta's energy market. Electricity demand is increasing, and large industrial projects are being developed. New generation and transmission infrastructure requires years to construct. Additionally, Alberta's Rate of Last Resort is entering a new regulatory period in 2027. While it's impossible to predict the exact trajectory of electricity prices, you can manage your energy costs effectively.
For large commercial customers:
Review your procurement strategy, delivery charges and consumption — not just the advertised electricity rate.
For small businesses:
Compare competitive electricity and natural gas rates and consider whether a fixed term could provide better budget certainty.
For Residential:
Check your electricity bill, understand whether you're on the Rate of Last Resort, and compare your current rate with competitive options.
Don't leave your energy budget to chance.
Whether you are managing a household, a small business or a large commercial operation, understanding your energy options is the first step toward protecting your bottom line. Explore 8760's energy programs and compare your options today.
Energy rates are subject to change. Posted rates are energy supply rates and may not include delivery charges, administration fees, taxes or other charges that appear on an electricity or natural gas bill.
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