Trouble Calls

Power out? Wires down? Please direct delivery trouble and emergency calls to your local utility, which has staff on call who may already be working in your area to restore service. Your local trouble call number appears on your monthly bill. We have included a utility phone list at the bottom of this page.

NOTE: Cities and large utilities operate 24-hour dispatch centres, while smaller towns usually offer after-hours recordings that are forwarded to the local, on-call lineman.

Submitting Meter Readings

Meter reading is managed by a separate agency under your local distribution utility. If your utility has requested a self-read, please call your local utility shop directly. (The utility’s telephone number will be on your request card.)

Billing

Your energy service provider receives only validated meter readings from your local utility (usually within a month of being read). Your local utility still owns and maintains the meter that is installed at your site, and the utility recovers costs through the delivery  tariff  shown  on  your  bill.  Meter  readings  may  be  taken  mid-month, bi-monthly or even annually. As a result of this scheduling, your bill is based on estimated consumption, as it can take up to a month to reconcile the estimates.

New Service and Disconnects

If you are constructing a new electric service or have acquired a new site that you wish to include on your billing, you must notify your energy service provider before the service is energized. Failure to do so may result in the site being placed on "Supplier of Last Resort" (SOLR) rates, which can be quite expensive compared to typical contracts. (SOLRs may also require up to 90 days exit notice.)

Construction of a new service is typically arranged through your local utility. Your utility company will provide the drop and discuss with you, in confidence, the expected size and characteristics of your load. Your service connection will be partially owned by that utility and construction costs will be invoiced directly to you. Prior to energization, your energy service provider can enrol the site so it falls under your existing billing. If you have purchased a new site, we can also quickly enrol the new site so it bills under your existing contract.

Alberta Utilities