IPPSA Intelligence

Alberta Electric System Operator

The Alberta Electric System Operator introduced an enhanced Connection Project Map on November 5, 2025, offering a dynamic, interactive visualization of upcoming transmission and substation initiatives across Alberta. Redesigned layout and enriched GIS layers enable planners to pinpoint lines and facilities with greater precision, while the “Find Nearby Facilities” function empowers stakeholders to discover projects within a user-defined radius. This advancement supports market participants by streamlining interconnection analysis, guiding investors toward potential development sites, and enabling local landowners to assess nearby infrastructure impacts. 

References:

1. AESO Releases Enhanced Connection Project Map with Improved GIS Data, Layout and 'Find Nearby Facilities' Feature

The Alberta Electric System Operator has updated its staged-energization process for large load data-centre projects, establishing that only projects of 75 MW or greater qualify and must meet key milestones—such as municipal support, financial security and completed power-flow studies—to avoid requiring transmission upgrades.  An interim cap of 1,200 MW of new large-load connections has been set through 2028 to safeguard grid reliability amid a surge of interest. Projects accepted under Phase I proceed through the standard connection process and will require explicit energization letters from AESO once all technical and contractual criteria are satisfied.

References:

1. Data Centre Staged Energizations

TransAlta Q3 Results and Leadership Update

TransAlta Corporation’s third-quarter 2025 results showed solid operational resilience amid weak Alberta power prices. While adjusted EBITDA declined year-over-year from $315 million to $238 million due to lower realized prices and reduced energy marketing margins, Alberta operations remained profitable, with fleet availability at 92.7 per cent.

The company’s 230 MW Demand Transmission Service contract with the AESO marks a major development for the province’s grid, enabling new large-load data-centre integration and supporting regional load growth near the Keephills and Sundance sites—potentially stabilizing local demand in a subdued price environment. The re-zoning of 3,000 acres in Parkland County positions TransAlta as a key player in Alberta’s emerging digital-power nexus, linking industrial decarbonization with data infrastructure expansion.

Also, CEO John Kousinioris announced his retirement (effective April 2026), to be succeeded by CFO Joel Hunter.

References:

1. Transalta Reports Q3 Results

AltaLink Tariff Settlement

AltaLink’s recent two-year tariff settlement, approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), locks in operating and capital funding for 2026–2027 while trimming proposed costs by $4 million in operating expenses and $67 million in sustaining capital. The agreement covers transmission rates, asset upgrades, IT security and deferral accounts but defers decisions on wildfire mitigation, insurance premiums and regulatory accounting to a public hearing in late 2025 with a decision expected in early 2026.

Q3 2025 results showed net income of $80.8 million, down $2.9 million year-over-year due to a lower approved return on equity, and revenues fell by $17.9 million as prior-year wildfire cost recoveries were absent. 

References:

1. AUC Approves AltaLink’s 2026–2027 Negotiated Tariff Settlement; Wildfire Mitigation and Insurance Costs Reserved for November Hearing

Site C’s Final Pricetag

Site C's failure to anticipate and manage geotechnical risk, combined with weak project and commercial oversight, transformed a long-studied hydro project into a $16-billion lesson in infrastructure governance. Decades of geotechnical investigation led B.C. Hydro to classify high-consequence problems as low probability; when tension cracks and foundation displacements appeared in 2017 and 2018, remedial work on both river banks cost roughly $1.7 billion.

Original approval near $8 billion has doubled; COVID added about $1.6 billion but Hydro’s own underestimates — insufficient engineering and contract-management resourcing, delayed commercial teams, wrong penstock couplers, interest-rate misjudgments and major civil-contract overruns — account for much of the remainder. Independent oversight flagged many issues, yet Hydro weakened that role and often ignored recommendations.

References:

1. Site C’s Price: Geotechnical Misjudgments, Management Failures and Lessons for Future B.C. Energy Projects

Manitoba Plans Local Data Centres and Hydroelectric Upgrades

Manitoba is moving to expand local data storage and cloud computing capacity to reduce reliance on U.S. cloud providers, strengthen data sovereignty and keep sensitive information under Canadian law. A report led by Jim Balsillie recommends building servers and data centres in‑province, tighter university–industry–government links to commercialize taxpayer‑funded research, and targeted skills development in AI and R&D to attract high‑value jobs.

Energy infrastructure is central: the panel urges boosting hydroelectric transmission and interprovincial connections so Crown‑owned Manitoba Hydro can reliably power energy‑intensive AI facilities. Policymakers argue local capacity will guard privacy, preserve domestic ownership of intellectual property, and insulate institutions from foreign legal exposure and pricing pressures.

References:

1. Manitoba Plans Local Data Centres and Hydroelectric Upgrades to Power AI and Protect Data Sovereignty

3-Part Breakdown of “Carneynomics”

Tyler Meredith introduces what he terms “Carneynomics”—the fiscal and economic framework being advanced under Mark Carney’s leadership. Central to the discussion is the revival of a “golden rule”-style fiscal principle: the idea that borrowing should be used not for current consumption but for investments that build future productive capacity. Meredith highlights Carney’s intention to shift spending away from government operations and transfer payments and toward capital investment (in infrastructure, technology, etc.), thereby increasing transparency and aligning with longer-term economic growth objectives.

In Part Two, the focus turns to the timing and presentation of the federal budget under this new framework. Meredith explains how altering the fiscal calendar—specifically the sequencing of the budget, fiscal update and other reporting obligations—is not simply an administrative tweak but one with significant implications for policy planning, public administration, and program implementation. The new timing is argued to give government more lead-time for precursor work, accelerate delivery, better align supply cycles and program roll-outs, and enhance responsiveness and transparency. At the same time, Meredith flags risks around how these changes could create uncertainty in budget planning and fiscal projections.

In Part Three, Meredith broadens the lens to examine the ideological and structural foundations of Carney’s economic agenda, characterising him as a “market-based progressive.” The discussion emphasises that technology and public service reform are key enablers of future prosperity; that investment attraction relies on incentives rather than heavy mandates; that unions and competition both have roles to play in productivity and wage growth; and that fiscal multipliers matter. Meredith positions these elements as distinguishing Carney’s approach from the prior Justin Trudeau-era economic style, and underscores that the Budget will be a first real test of this framework.

References:

1. Tyler Meredith - Dissecting Carneynomics - Part 1
2. Tyler Meredith - Dissecting Carneynomics - Part 2
3. Tyler Meredith - Dissecting Carneynomics - Part 3

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