Province did everything it could to prepare for winter surge in power demand, minister says

Alberta's affordability and utilities minister says the provincial government did everything it could to prepare for a surge in demand for power that utilities might not be able to meet.

«It was a learning experience,» Minister Nathan Neudorf told reporters in Edmonton on Monday. «Hopefully, we won't have that experience again.»

Record-breaking cold temperatures, little sun or wind during times of peak demand, and a handful of natural gas power plants offline led to Albertans consuming more electricity than generators could provide on Saturday night.

It prompted an emergency alert broadcast across province, pleading with citizens to shut off lights, unplug cars and avoid using appliances.

Energy Minister Brian Jean said increasing numbers of residents migrating to Alberta — some at the behest of provincial government advertising campaigns — also added demand on the power grid.

Albertans consuming almost all the available power generated in the province has led to 21 grid alerts since 2017, according to numbers from the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO).

The AESO issued four of those alerts in the last four days, a spokesperson said on Monday.

Neudorf said the United Conservative Party government foresaw more times when demand could outstrip supply, which is why he ordered a review of the province's power system last summer.

Critics have questioned the UCP government's decision to reverse course in revamping Alberta's electricity market from energy-only to a capacity market.

The UCP opted to stay with an energy-only market, in which power generators are paid only for electricity they produce. The government said this option was more affordable.

Upon an AESO recommendation, the former NDP government had ordered a transition to