Is Direct Energy affiliated with my local utility?
 

Direct Energy is a retail energy provider that sets up your service, handles your billing, and provides customer service for any questions you have along the way. We purchase energy (both electricity and natural gas) from distributors in the market. We then partner with utility companies to deliver electricity and/or natural gas to your home.

Thanks to deregulation in Alberta, you're not limited to enrolling with your utility company for your home's energy needs - you have the freedom to choose your energy provider. We call it energy choice, and the advantages are all yours.

What's the difference between a local utility and a retail energy provider?

Your local utility distributes energy to your home and is responsible for line and meter maintenance and repair, while energy retailers like Direct Energy work with local utility providers to purchase electricity and natural gas wholesale and resell it to customers at either a regulated rate (approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission) or at rates determined by a contract between you and the retailer.

This allows retailers to offer more competitive rates and convenient options like online account managers, incentives, flexible term options, and much more.

Understanding the difference between your local utility and a retail energy provider

You have two options when buying electricity and/or natural gas from Direct Energy or Direct Energy Regulated Services. You can lock in your energy rates for a specified term or choose the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) if you don't want to commit to a contract. To determine which option is best, visit our Direct Energy vs. Direct Energy Regulated Service page.