More than 1.9 million homes, farms and small businesses will receive monthly credits of $50 on their July, August and September electricity bills, for a total of $150 in rebates.

The Alberta government’s $300-million rebate program will help alleviate some of the high utility costs that many families and businesses have faced during recent months.

“We are providing targeted support to help hard-working Albertans deal with the rising cost of living. These rebates, combined with the fuel tax exemption and upcoming natural gas rebate, will help the large majority of Alberta households pay their bills while we make the long-term changes needed to make energy more affordable in the years ahead.”

Electricity rebate

Alberta’s government has worked closely with electricity distributors and retailers to develop and implement the electricity rebate.

Albertans currently connected to the system that have consumed electricity within the past calendar year, up to a maximum of 250 megawatt hours per year, are automatically eligible for the rebates. Support will reach more than 1.9 million Albertans, which means that most farms, residences and small businesses will receive the rebates.

Eligible Albertans can expect to see an automatic $50 rebate on their bills. It is being applied directly to eligible utility bills, meaning no application or other action is needed to start receiving the rebate in July.

Unlike the previous government’s electricity rate cap, the $50 rebates will apply to the entire bill, not just the energy portion. In addition, the $50 rebates will be on all eligible bills – protecting consumers on the variable regulated rate option as well as those on competitive contracts.

Consumers wishing to protect themselves from price volatility may enter into a competitive fixed-rate contract and still be eligible for the $50 rebates. Albertans can visit the Utility Consumer Advocate to see what products are available in their area.

The rebate will be listed on each bill as a line item titled “GOA Utility Commodity Rebate,” and $50 rebates will follow in August and September, for a total of $150. Exact timing will vary depending on the billing cycle of one’s utility provider.

Consumers who believe they meet the eligibility criteria but have not received the rebates by the end of July should contact the Utility Consumer Advocate.

Upcoming natural gas rebate

Alberta’s government is implementing two programs to ensure utilities remain affordable while providing stability for millions of Albertans through the next nine months.

Along with the electricity rebate, a natural gas rebate will provide cost certainty and protect eligible Alberta customers from European-style price spikes starting in October. More details on the natural gas rebate will be announced soon.

With the electricity rebate reaching bills in July, August and September, and the natural gas rebate starting in October, Alberta’s government will be providing support on utility bills for millions of Albertans until March 31, 2023 if prices remain high.

Quick facts

• All utility customers currently connected to the electricity system that have consumed electricity within the past calendar year, up to a maximum of 250 megawatt hours per year, are automatically eligible for the rebates.
• Consumers will receive the rebate as a credit to their electricity bills from the utility provider that provides their electricity.
• The rebate will appear as an individual line item on the electricity bill as the “GOA Utility Commodity Rebate.”
• Consumers will receive $50 each month for three consecutive months, with most rebates starting to show on July’s electricity bills.
• Consumers who believe they meet the eligibility criteria but have not received the rebates by the end of July should contact the Utility Consumer Advocate at 310-4822 or [email protected] for assistance.