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Pair electricity and natural gas to enjoy low introductory rates until December 31, 2026.*
Check out our energy plans for restaurants and learn how to make your business more energy efficient.
Want to know more about your energy options? Looking for ways to save on energy usage? We're here to help you make an educated decision.
Manage your energy account anytime. View bills, make payments, track your energy use, access rewards and more—all in one place.
Sign up for fixed rates:
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Pair electricity and natural gas to enjoy low introductory rates until December 31, 2026.*
Check out our energy plans for restaurants and learn how to make your business more energy efficient.
Want to know more about your energy options? Looking for ways to save on energy usage? We're here to help you make an educated decision.
Manage your energy account anytime. View bills, make payments, track your energy use, access rewards and more—all in one place.
Fixed vs floating energy rates
Updated on December 9, 2024
5-minute read
Fixed vs floating energy rates
Updated on December 9, 2024
5-minute read
Alberta’s deregulated energy market allows customers to choose between regulated and competitive energy providers for electricity and natural gas. This gives households more flexibility in how they manage pricing, contracts, and plan features.
Understanding your options can help explain the differences between fixed and variable plans, how rates are structured, and what to consider before switching.
By learning how energy choice works in Alberta, customers can select an option that aligns with their budget, preferences, and comfort with price changes.
Depending on where you live in Alberta, you’re likely to have two options when buying electricity and natural gas. You can choose to default to the regulated rate or you can choose a fixed or floating rate plan. While not all energy needs are equal, our deregulated energy market in Alberta provides energy consumers with a unique opportunity to take advantage of both regulated and competitive rate plans depending on how the energy market is performing.
Since floating rates can fluctuate up and down on a monthly basis, customers who choose to forgo securing a fixed rate plan, could run the risk of paying more for their energy usage in the long run (especially during the winter months).
We have multiple options to help you find the right energy plan for your home. Is it better to have fixed or floating rate?
While a market-based rate can save you money when the market rate is low, a fixed-rate plan provides more price stability and could be a better choice for you, and your wallet.
Energy rate: Set rate throughout your term length. View our current fixed-rate plans.
Exit fees: No exit fees.
Benefits:
Energy rate: Set rate throughout your term length. View our current fixed-rate plans.
Exit fees: No exit fees.
Benefits:
Exit fees: No exit fees.
Benefits:
Energy rate: Based on monthly market prices.
View our current regulated natural gas rates.
Exit fees: No exit fees.
Benefits:
Energy rate: Set every two years and approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).
The rate can only increase or decrease by up to 10% at the end of each two-year term.
View our Rate of Last Resort.
Exit fees: No exit fees.
Benefits:
*Customers are free to purchase natural gas services or electricity services from a retailer of their choice. For a list of retailers, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta).
While electricity prices hit all-time highs in Alberta in 2023, it stabilized in April 2024 and is forecasted** to remain low in 2025. Learn more about what affects electricity market pricing.
Regardless, you have the power to choose the energy option that works best for you and your home. If price stability, multiple term options, and special promotions are appealing to you, then a fixed-rate electricity or natural gas plan might be a better energy option for you! With a fixed rate, you are charged the same amount of money for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity or unit of natural gas gigajoules (GJ) you use.
Energy consumption typically varies based on the season, but if you usually use a predictable amount of energy each month, a fixed-rate plan can make it very easy to budget. For example, if you secure a fixed rate for five years, you’re likely to pay nearly the same amount five years from now. In some instances, the rate you lock in may be a little bit higher than the current floating rate, but this option could protect you from unexpected events that could affect the market rate over time.
**The forecast is based on the current forward wholesale electricity price curve on November 26, 2024.
Fixed rates stay the same for the length of your contract, while floating rates change monthly based on market conditions.
Floating rates can be cheaper when market prices are low, but they can also increase, especially during high-demand periods like winter.
Fixed-rate plans offer price stability, predictable monthly costs, and protection from market spikes over the term of the contract.
Yes. In Alberta, customers can switch between plan types depending on their needs and available options.
The best plan depends on your preferences. Fixed rates are ideal for predictable budgeting, while floating rates may appeal to those willing to accept market fluctuations for potential savings.
The Government of Alberta has changed the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) to the Rate of Last Resort (ROLR) and how it's structured in January 2025. Find out how this impacts you.
Learn how to set up gas and electricity when moving in Alberta, including timelines, steps, and what you need.
Both energy solutions provide natural gas and electricity to power your home or business, but are different when it comes to signing up, contracts and rates. Compare your energy options.
Compare gas vs electric furnaces, including costs, efficiency, and heating performance for Alberta homes.
Compare electric vs gas water heaters, including costs, efficiency, and what to consider for Alberta homes.
Over the past year, the regulated natural gas rate in Alberta has dropped significantly and is forecasted to remain low in 2025! Find out how you can benefit from it.
Stay informed with our monthly electricity and natural gas price forecast for regulated or variable customers. Learn more about the key factors that affect your energy rate.
While electricity prices hit all-time highs in Alberta in 2023, it stabilized in 2024 and is forecasted to remain low in 2025. Find out why electricity rates in Alberta have finally decreased.
Take this 2-minute quiz to learn more about the benefits of regulated natural gas and why it exists.
Take this 2-minute quiz to discover your energy personality and find out how energy efficient you are at home.
Shop and compare our plans to find the right energy solution for your business.
