Fast Frequency Response Plus (FFR+)

Important Dates & Materials

December 17 | High-Level Design Update and Comment Form posted (due Jan. 19, 2026)

December 17, 2025 | Stakeholder Update

We posted this FFR High-Level Design Update and are targeting the following timeline for next steps:

  • Engage on FFR+ high-level eligibility requirements: Early Q1 2026
  • File request for guidance with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC): Q1 2026
  • FFR+ stakeholder session: Q2/Q3 2026 (subject to AUC guidance)
  • Commence procurement for Market-Based FFR: Q2/Q3 2026
  • Commence FFR+ RFP (subject to AUC guidance): Q4 2026

We value stakeholder input and invite written comments on the proposed design by January 19, 2026. This comment period is optional and the AESO will include all comments in their original format as part of its request for guidance with the AUC. Stakeholders can also participate in the AUC process.

Purpose

We are engaging on the procurement of highly available Fast Frequency Response (“FFR”) to meet the requirements outlined in the amended Transmission Regulation, Alberta Regulation 86/2007, and the ancillary services provisions in the Energy and Utilities Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 52). Through this engagement, the AESO is seeking input on different product and procurement designs for highly available FFR to support full import flows on the Alberta-British Columbia and Montana-Alberta interties.

Background

We developed an initial preliminary design of FFR+, a highly available ancillary service to provide a near-instantaneous response to arrest frequency decline following an intertie trip. The “plus” reflects that FFR+ is always available and may include other grid reliability services that are not procured through a market. The AESO has developed FFR+ in response to the amended Transmission Regulation, which requires the AESO to make arrangements to procure ancillary services sufficient to support import flows of up to 800 MW capability on the Alberta-British Columbia intertie (which is expected to increase over time) and up to 300 MW on the Montana-Alberta intertie.

We currently procure FFR through voluntary arrangements that do not guarantee high availability. To meet the new requirements, the AESO is proposing to competitively procure up to 750 MW of highly available FFR+ through commercial contracts.

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Important Dates & Materials

December 17 | High-Level Design Update and Comment Form posted (due Jan. 19, 2026)

December 17, 2025 | Stakeholder Update

We posted this FFR High-Level Design Update and are targeting the following timeline for next steps:

  • Engage on FFR+ high-level eligibility requirements: Early Q1 2026
  • File request for guidance with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC): Q1 2026
  • FFR+ stakeholder session: Q2/Q3 2026 (subject to AUC guidance)
  • Commence procurement for Market-Based FFR: Q2/Q3 2026
  • Commence FFR+ RFP (subject to AUC guidance): Q4 2026

We value stakeholder input and invite written comments on the proposed design by January 19, 2026. This comment period is optional and the AESO will include all comments in their original format as part of its request for guidance with the AUC. Stakeholders can also participate in the AUC process.

Purpose

We are engaging on the procurement of highly available Fast Frequency Response (“FFR”) to meet the requirements outlined in the amended Transmission Regulation, Alberta Regulation 86/2007, and the ancillary services provisions in the Energy and Utilities Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 52). Through this engagement, the AESO is seeking input on different product and procurement designs for highly available FFR to support full import flows on the Alberta-British Columbia and Montana-Alberta interties.

Background

We developed an initial preliminary design of FFR+, a highly available ancillary service to provide a near-instantaneous response to arrest frequency decline following an intertie trip. The “plus” reflects that FFR+ is always available and may include other grid reliability services that are not procured through a market. The AESO has developed FFR+ in response to the amended Transmission Regulation, which requires the AESO to make arrangements to procure ancillary services sufficient to support import flows of up to 800 MW capability on the Alberta-British Columbia intertie (which is expected to increase over time) and up to 300 MW on the Montana-Alberta intertie.

We currently procure FFR through voluntary arrangements that do not guarantee high availability. To meet the new requirements, the AESO is proposing to competitively procure up to 750 MW of highly available FFR+ through commercial contracts.

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Discussions: All (5) Open (0)

  • Discussion Forum | Instructions

    5 months ago
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    June 18 - July 4, 2025

    This series of questions are for stakeholders to consider after reading the Rationale for Ancillary Service Procurement for Intertie Restoration: Fast Frequency Response Plus (FFR+). Responses will help us ensure the engagement session on July 23 is informative and engaging. 

    This Discussion Forum will be open until 4:00 p.m. MT on Friday, July 4.

    Things To Keep in Mind

    This public forum serves as a collaborative space where stakeholders can share and discuss their thoughts, suggestions, and creative solutions. To maintain a respectful and constructive environment, it's essential that all content submitted is appropriate and adheres to community guidelines. This ensures that everyone's contributions are valuable and that the board remains a positive and inclusive space for dialogue and innovation. The AESO will use this initial input from stakeholders to finalize our content for the upcoming engagement session. 

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  • Breakout Topics

    7 months ago
    5 Responses
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    We are proposing the following three questions be discussed in breakouts at the session. Do you agree?  If not, please provide input or suggest alternate questions along with rationale.

    1. What role should a FFR market play (if any) in satisfying the requirements of the Direction to support full import flows?
    2. Should stacking other reliability services not procured through a market be permitted using the same capacity procured for FFR?
    3. Should new assets supported through long-term FFR+ contracts be permitted to participate in the market following the expiry of the contract?  If so, under what conditions?
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  • Additional Information

    7 months ago
    4 Responses
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    What additional information would help you better assess the AESO’s proposed FFR+ design and rationale to support meaningful engagement?

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  • Design Approach

    7 months ago
    4 Responses
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    Is there another design for an ancillary service that the AESO should consider that balance the four objectives from Section 17.1(2) of the Act to satisfy the obligations of the Direction Letter?

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  • Other

    7 months ago
    6 Responses
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    Is there anything else you’d like the AESO to consider regarding the FFR+ design and to cover at the stakeholder engagement session?

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Page last updated: 14 Jan 2026, 03:52 PM