In March 2016, the Alberta government tasked the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), the independent system operator for Alberta’s electricity system, with developing and implementing a plan to significantly increase renewable electricity generation capacity in the province from 11 per cent to 30 per cent of Alberta’s total generation capacity by 2030.

The AESO recently provided its recommendations regarding its proposed renewable electricity program (REP) to the Alberta government. Although the AESO’s recommendations remain confidential and subject to government review, the AESO has provided some hints as to what the electricity industry may expect to see when the details of the REP are ultimately announced.