Fast Frequency Response Plus (FFR+)

Key Dates & Materials

October 10 | Materials posted

September 22 | Deadline | Written Feedback on FFR+ Options (Parts A and B)

August 25 | Stakeholder Update and Materials posted

August 25, 2025 | Stakeholder Update

Based on the stakeholder feedback from the FFR+ Rationale Document published on June 18, the Stakeholder Session held on July 23, and subsequent follow-up discussions with stakeholders, the AESO is exploring additional concepts and associated product and procurement designs. The Addendum to FFR+ Rationale Document, posted today, presents these concepts and alternative designs. We are seeking stakeholder feedback on these, including whether they appropriately balance the four principles set out in the Electric Utilities Act (s. 17.1(2)) and whether they are in the public interest.

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.

How to use the Discussion Forum Tool



Key Dates & Materials

October 10 | Materials posted

September 22 | Deadline | Written Feedback on FFR+ Options (Parts A and B)

August 25 | Stakeholder Update and Materials posted

August 25, 2025 | Stakeholder Update

Based on the stakeholder feedback from the FFR+ Rationale Document published on June 18, the Stakeholder Session held on July 23, and subsequent follow-up discussions with stakeholders, the AESO is exploring additional concepts and associated product and procurement designs. The Addendum to FFR+ Rationale Document, posted today, presents these concepts and alternative designs. We are seeking stakeholder feedback on these, including whether they appropriately balance the four principles set out in the Electric Utilities Act (s. 17.1(2)) and whether they are in the public interest.

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.

How to use the Discussion Forum Tool



  • June 18, 2025

    Next Steps

    We will engage with stakeholders on the proposed FFR+ product and procurement design to satisfy the requirements of the Direction while maintaining the sanctity of Alberta’s energy-only market.

    The AESO is seeking initial written feedback from industry on

    • aspects of the high-level design where additional information may be required, or which should be an area of focus at the upcoming engagement session
    • alternative design approaches that may better balance the objectives set out in Section 17.1(2) of the Energy and Utilities Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 52) while satisfying the requirements of the Direction

    A hybrid stakeholder engagement session will be held on July 23, 2025 to:

    • discuss the proposed product and procurement design branded as FFR+
    • seek input on key elements
    • share alternative design approaches from industry
    • outline the AESO’s intent to include a process with the Alberta Utilities Commission to guide the procurement and product design

    Please complete your registration by 4:00 p.m. MT on Friday, July 4.

Page last updated: 15 Oct 2025, 04:09 PM