In 2025, the Government of Alberta introduced the Rate of Last Resort (ROLR) — a change that impacted roughly 26% of Albertans.
Another significant change came from ENMAX. The company retired its old floating electricity rate and replaced it with a new one tied to hourly market prices — and some customers were moved to more expensive fixed electricity rates (they may not even realize it!)
These changes underline the importance of staying informed and taking control of your energy plan. Jotson makes it easier
Overview of the Rate of Last Resort (RoLR)
Starting January 1, 2025, Alberta’s Rate of Last Resort (RoLR) replaced the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) as the default electricity rate. Unlike the RRO, which fluctuated monthly based on market prices, the RoLR offers a fixed two-year rate, though it may adjust mid-term if prices move significantly.
If you’re one of the 26% of Albertans impacted, consider switching to a competitive contract ASAP to avoid paying the significantly higher electricity costs. Learn more about the RoLR in our detailed breakdown.
What’s Changing with ENMAX’s Floating Rate?
In November 2024, ENMAX retired its floating electricity rate and rolled out a new one aligned with hourly market prices. This updated rate comes with a 1.99¢/kWh transaction fee that didn’t exist on the previous plan.
Customers on the old floating rate were informed that they were being moved to different plans starting in January. But you weren’t necessarily moved from the old floating electricity rate to the new floating electricity rate. Some consumers who were on the former rate were unexpectedly moved to the Easymax 5-year fixed electricity rate at 10.49ȼ/kWh — ENMAX’s most expensive plan!
A Jotson user received this email (pictured above) from ENMAX in November 2024, informing them that they would be automatically moved to the 5-year fixed electricity rate. Based on their historical consumption, this new rate would have resulted in the user paying an additional $129 per year vs. ENMAX’s best rate at the time — the 3-year fixed electricity rate (8.79 cents/kWh).
Fortunately, the user noticed the discrepancy and quickly switched to a more competitive plan before the decision was made for them.
Will Other Providers Adjust Their Floating Rates?
We reached out to ATCO, Direct Energy, and EPCOR in early December 2024. At that time, none of them expressed plans to adjust their floating electricity rates like ENMAX.
However, we wouldn’t be surprised to see some adjustments made in the weeks and months following the provincial government solidifying the terms and rates associated with the ROLR.
Why Staying Engaged Matters
While rate changes grab headlines, there are plenty of other reasons to keep paying attention to your energy account, even if you already have a fixed electricity rate with a competitive provider.
- Utility errors: Mistakes happen, even for major utility companies. System errors or inaccurate meter readings could result in you overpaying.
- Contract expiration: Providers may switch you to less favourable terms when your contract ends. To avoid overpaying, you should know when your energy plan expires and have some idea of which new rates are most competitive.
- Problems with your energy consumption: Faulty devices, like a malfunctioning heat pump or damaged solar panel, can unexpectedly increase costs. Regularly checking your bill could alert you to something wrong in your home.
Proactively monitoring your monthly utility costs and watching the market for fluctuations protects you from financial surprises and ensures you’re getting the best value for your money.
What You Can Do
- Double-check who receives communications: Make sure you know whose name your bills are under and who receives the emails so you have visibility into changes.
- Look for unexplained charges: Review your monthly natural gas and electricity bills and keep an eye out for unexpected fees.
- Track contract details: Know when your energy plan expires and proactively consider your options before it’s up.
- Track how the market changes: Keep tabs on rising and falling costs to see if you’re overpaying.
- Set up notifications: Enable alerts about changes to your account or plan (if available).
- Use automation: Use tools like Jotson to automatically monitor market trends, compare rates, and stay ahead of changes without extra effort.
Whether it’s ENMAX’s floating rate updates, the new RoLR, or hidden inefficiencies in your home, staying informed about your energy usage and plans can save you money and stress. Jotson makes managing your utilities easier so that big changes, like those that took effect in Januray 2025, don’t catch you off guard.
