Glossary of Terms

The minimum continuous load over a given period of time. Base load generating stations operate essentially at full output whenever possible.

An electric energy supply arrangement, the terms of which, including price, are negotiated between an electric energy retailer and a consumer.

The opportunity for consumers to reopen an existing contract with a retailer in order to change the terms of the contract over an extended period.

The Balancing Pool plays a prominent role in managing the Power Purchase Arrangements of several major power plants. The Balancing Pool was established in 1999 by the Government of Alberta to help maintain the certain assets, revenues and expenses arising from the transition to competition in Alberta's electric industry. The Balancing Pool is now a separate corporate entity with a 5 member independent board of directors appointed by Alberta's Minister of Energy to govern the operations.

An entity that arranges a market transaction but does not take title to the commodity, the sale of which they are brokering.

Large amounts of electric power to transmission voltages, generally to run industrial plants and operations.

Combining the costs of generation, transmission and distribution and services into a single rate charged to the retail customer.