Blackstart Services NW Alberta Procurement

Engagement Outcome

This procurement has now concluded. The contract was awarded in late December 2025 and will commence in June 2027. Thank you to all who participated in this engagement.

Important Materials

January 12 | Procurement concluded and materials posted

Purpose

In the unlikely event of a system-wide blackout, Blackstart services are used to re-energize the transmission system and provide start-up power to generators who cannot self-start. Generators that provide Blackstart services in specific areas of the province must be able to restart their generation facility with no outside source of power.

To achieve the AESO’s mandate to oversee the safe, reliable and economic operations of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES), we have identified a need for Blackstart Services in Northwest Alberta and will be running a procurement process in 2025.

Any interested party that can provide Blackstart Services in the NW Planning Region by 2026, per the boundary identified in the map below, is invited to review the requirements and consider participating.

General information - Blackstart Services

Procurement Timeline

ActivityDate
Blackstart Bonfire Registration OpensJanuary 8, 2025
RFP Materials IssuedJanuary 20, 2025
Deadline for Draft Blackstart Agreement Comments3:00 p.m. MT – February 28, 2025
Deadline for Enquiries3:00 p.m. MT – May 1, 2025
Deadline for Proposals3:00 p.m. MT – May 13, 2025
Successful proponent selection and notificationBy December 15, 2025
Notification to unsuccessful proponentsBy December 19, 2025


Minimum Requirements* 

To provide Blackstart Service in the NW region, assets must: 

  • be located in the NW area of Alberta (see map below) 
  • have the ability to self-start the unit without the need for an electrical supply from the grid
  • have the ability to close onto a de-energized bus
  • be able to energize at least one cranking path, and have sufficient capability to start up at least one transmission-connected generator in the area; this is confirmed by performing engineering studies.

*To view a comprehensive overview of requirements for Blackstart Service, refer to AESO Blackstart for NW Planning Region Procurement Draft Requirements_v3.

Per the AESO NW Planning Region Transmission Map below, and subject to further engineering studies by the AESO, a blackstart resource is likely to be effective if it is located in one of the following planning areas:

  • 17 Rainbow Lake
  • 18 High Level
  • 19 Peace River
  • 20 Grande Prairie
  • 21 High Prairie
  • 22 Grande Cache
  • 23 Valley View
  • 24 Fox Creek
  • British Columbia


Engagement Outcome

This procurement has now concluded. The contract was awarded in late December 2025 and will commence in June 2027. Thank you to all who participated in this engagement.

Important Materials

January 12 | Procurement concluded and materials posted

Purpose

In the unlikely event of a system-wide blackout, Blackstart services are used to re-energize the transmission system and provide start-up power to generators who cannot self-start. Generators that provide Blackstart services in specific areas of the province must be able to restart their generation facility with no outside source of power.

To achieve the AESO’s mandate to oversee the safe, reliable and economic operations of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES), we have identified a need for Blackstart Services in Northwest Alberta and will be running a procurement process in 2025.

Any interested party that can provide Blackstart Services in the NW Planning Region by 2026, per the boundary identified in the map below, is invited to review the requirements and consider participating.

General information - Blackstart Services

Procurement Timeline

ActivityDate
Blackstart Bonfire Registration OpensJanuary 8, 2025
RFP Materials IssuedJanuary 20, 2025
Deadline for Draft Blackstart Agreement Comments3:00 p.m. MT – February 28, 2025
Deadline for Enquiries3:00 p.m. MT – May 1, 2025
Deadline for Proposals3:00 p.m. MT – May 13, 2025
Successful proponent selection and notificationBy December 15, 2025
Notification to unsuccessful proponentsBy December 19, 2025


Minimum Requirements* 

To provide Blackstart Service in the NW region, assets must: 

  • be located in the NW area of Alberta (see map below) 
  • have the ability to self-start the unit without the need for an electrical supply from the grid
  • have the ability to close onto a de-energized bus
  • be able to energize at least one cranking path, and have sufficient capability to start up at least one transmission-connected generator in the area; this is confirmed by performing engineering studies.

*To view a comprehensive overview of requirements for Blackstart Service, refer to AESO Blackstart for NW Planning Region Procurement Draft Requirements_v3.

Per the AESO NW Planning Region Transmission Map below, and subject to further engineering studies by the AESO, a blackstart resource is likely to be effective if it is located in one of the following planning areas:

  • 17 Rainbow Lake
  • 18 High Level
  • 19 Peace River
  • 20 Grande Prairie
  • 21 High Prairie
  • 22 Grande Cache
  • 23 Valley View
  • 24 Fox Creek
  • British Columbia


  • Update | Feb. 5, 2025

    We previously indicated that, to qualify for Blackstart Service in the NW region, assets must be located in the NW area of the AESO’s Planning Region Transmission Map. We have since completed a preliminary assessment and determined that the Fox Creek planning region may also be effective for Blackstart Service, subject to the engineering studies as outlined in the RFP. This update is reflected below and the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Blackstart Services has been updated to include the Fox Creek planning region.

    We previously indicated that, to qualify for Blackstart Service in the NW region, assets must be located in the NW area of the AESO’s Planning Region Transmission Map. We have since completed a preliminary assessment and determined that the Fox Creek planning region may also be effective for Blackstart Service, subject to the engineering studies as outlined in the RFP. This update is reflected below and the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Blackstart Services has been updated to include the Fox Creek planning region.

  • Update | Jan. 20, 2025

    The Request for Proposals (RFP) for Blackstart Services launched today. Refer to the information above and use the links provided to access the associated documents. The deadline for proposals is 3 p.m. MT on May 13, 2025.

    The Request for Proposals (RFP) for Blackstart Services launched today. Refer to the information above and use the links provided to access the associated documents. The deadline for proposals is 3 p.m. MT on May 13, 2025.

  • Update | Jan. 8, 2025

    Following market sounding and initial feedback from stakeholders on the draft agreement last year, the AESO is launching a Request for Proposals (RFP) on January 20, 2025 for Blackstart Service in the NW area of Alberta.

    We will be using Bonfire for this procurement. To access the associated Bonfire site, view the RFP documents and participate in the RFP process, one representative from each interested party must register and execute a Bonfire Site Access and Participant Agreement.

    Enquiries relating to the RFP will be accepted until 3 p.m. on May 1, 2025 and the deadline for proposals is 3 p.m. on May 13, 2025.

    Following market sounding and initial feedback from stakeholders on the draft agreement last year, the AESO is launching a Request for Proposals (RFP) on January 20, 2025 for Blackstart Service in the NW area of Alberta.

    We will be using Bonfire for this procurement. To access the associated Bonfire site, view the RFP documents and participate in the RFP process, one representative from each interested party must register and execute a Bonfire Site Access and Participant Agreement.

    Enquiries relating to the RFP will be accepted until 3 p.m. on May 1, 2025 and the deadline for proposals is 3 p.m. on May 13, 2025.

  • Update | Oct. 23, 2024

    The AESO has released a Draft Blackstart Agreement (Draft BSA), including revised technical requirements in anticipation of a Request for Proposals (RFP) in early December for Blackstart Services in northwest Alberta.

    Interested parties can submit a Draft BSA Feedback Form to blackstart@aeso.ca on or before November 22, 2024. See form for additional instructions.

    Note: providing this feedback is not a pre-requisite to participate in the RFP.

    The AESO has released a Draft Blackstart Agreement (Draft BSA), including revised technical requirements in anticipation of a Request for Proposals (RFP) in early December for Blackstart Services in northwest Alberta.

    Interested parties can submit a Draft BSA Feedback Form to blackstart@aeso.ca on or before November 22, 2024. See form for additional instructions.

    Note: providing this feedback is not a pre-requisite to participate in the RFP.

  • Update | Oct. 8, 2024

    The AESO would like to thank stakeholders who participated in the recent market sounding to inform the Blackstart product and procurement design. The strong level of interest has provided the AESO with the confidence to proceed with a Request for Proposals (RFP) and share an approximate timeline for the next steps.

    On October 23, 2024, the AESO will issue a draft Blackstart agreement, which will include updates to the minimum technical requirements and seek stakeholder feedback.

    Following a one-month feedback period for the agreement, the AESO expects to launch the RFP for Blackstart service. The AESO expects that the service term could commence on or before mid-2027.

    Activity

    Timeline

    Draft Blackstart Agreement feedback period

    October 22 - November 22, 2024

    Request for Proposals (RFP) stage commences

    December 2024

    Proposals submission deadline

    Late March - 2025

    Blackstart Service Term Commences

    Mid-2027

    The AESO would like to thank stakeholders who participated in the recent market sounding to inform the Blackstart product and procurement design. The strong level of interest has provided the AESO with the confidence to proceed with a Request for Proposals (RFP) and share an approximate timeline for the next steps.

    On October 23, 2024, the AESO will issue a draft Blackstart agreement, which will include updates to the minimum technical requirements and seek stakeholder feedback.

    Following a one-month feedback period for the agreement, the AESO expects to launch the RFP for Blackstart service. The AESO expects that the service term could commence on or before mid-2027.

    Activity

    Timeline

    Draft Blackstart Agreement feedback period

    October 22 - November 22, 2024

    Request for Proposals (RFP) stage commences

    December 2024

    Proposals submission deadline

    Late March - 2025

    Blackstart Service Term Commences

    Mid-2027

  • Identification of Prospective Blackstart Service Providers | Deadline: May 17, 2024

    CLOSED: This opportunity to express interest has concluded.

    Interested parties who may be capable of providing Blackstart Service by 2025-2026 are encouraged to send an email to the AESO at Blackstart@aeso.ca by May 17, 2024.

    Interested parties who may be capable of providing Blackstart Service by 2025-2026 are encouraged to send an email to the AESO at Blackstart@aeso.ca by May 17, 2024.