Stakeholder Update | April 16, 2025

OTP & TRP in-person sprint registration | Apr. 16 - 25, 2025

If you are interested in attending the in-person sessions, please register by April 25th, 2025. We will confirm your in-person attendance in early May. Note that virtual registration will be available closer to the sprint.

We are holding a four-day in-person block of sessions with stakeholders, as the first of our OTP & TRP sprint weeks. We will discuss proposed options, review alternative approaches, build on written feedback and what we have heard, and work together with stakeholders to prioritize key focus areas and discussion topics for the OTP & TRP framework development.

Save These Dates! OTP & TRP sprint sessions are scheduled for the following weeks:

• Sprint 1 | May 12 - 15
• Sprint 2 | June 23 - 26

Additionally, the agenda for Week 1 will soon be available.

2025 OTP & TRP in-person sprint registration to attend:

Stakeholder Update - March 26, 2025

We will be holding a virtual Optimal Transmission (OTP) and Transmission Reinforcement Payment (TRP) Information Session on Tuesday, April 16 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., open to all interested stakeholders. Register to attend.

We will answer questions and address the following:

• OTP Framework Options Paper highlights
• TRP objectives and foundation overview
• OTP and TRP engagement plan details
• Associated timelines and participation opportunities
• Scope for upcoming OTP/TRP sprint sessions

Feb. 19, 2025
Upcoming OTP Discussions within REM Design Finalization Week 1 | Feb. 25 - 28, 2025

On the first day of the Restructured Energy Market (REM) Design Finalization Session (Week 1), the AESO will present an overview of the 2025 engagement activities across the REM, Optimal Transmission Planning (OTP) and Tariff engagements. If you are interested in attending virtually, please register here.

Jan. 29, 2025
OTP Practice in Other Jurisdictions

We are reviewing how OTP is utilized globally. Although the OTP framework is new to Alberta, it has been practiced in other jurisdictions. If you are interested in learning more about how other jurisdictions approach optimal transmission planning, please see the attachment for links to jurisdictional examples and information. Additionally, we would like to hear from you on the questions provided below.

1. Are there other jurisdictions with OTP practices that the AESO should further explore? If yes, please highlight specific element(s) of certain OTP practices you would like us to focus on, as well as the resulting benefits to an Alberta framework.
2. Do you have any additional attachments or formatted versions of your responses that you would like to submit? If so, please submit here.

Examples include:

• Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
• California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
• Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
• European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E)
• Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
• New York Independent System Operator (NYISO)
• Southwest Power Pool (SPP)

Jan. 13, 2025

Following the closing of the initial written feedback consultation period, the AESO will review and consider the responses as we continue to progress details on the proposed stakeholder engagement process for a move towards an OTP Framework. Please view the Survey Responses Report.

The AESO has summarized high-level themes from within the feedback responses, capturing what we heard from stakeholders:

• Generally, stakeholders are supportive of the proposed engagement approach of inform, consult, and a written feedback mechanism, but more detail is needed to give fulsome feedback on the proposed engagement framework
• Most commonly, Stakeholders have highlighted the importance of the proposed OTP engagement working alongside the REM and Tariff engagements. Stakeholders need to participate in all engagements and require time to prepare thoughtful feedback for other AESO engagements as well
• Stakeholders have also highlighted:
  • A clear plan that includes the scope, milestones, time commitment, definitions, analysis, and a clear governance structure (including AUC approvals) is paramount
  • Stakeholders will be strained to meet the time commitments of all these initiatives, in addition to their regular obligations
  • Small organizations do not have the same resources to participate, and therefore, the consultations may be skewed towards participants with the greatest resources
  • The AESO should be mindful and flexible as decisions are made in one engagement; outcomes and results may affect other decisions made in previous engagements. I.e. the AESO should be open to revisiting decisions in REM if they do not align with the OTP direction (Tariff as well, once that engagement is underway)
  • Data and analytics will be crucial to the timeline; the AESO should prepare and share as much information as possible in advance
  • More detail is needed on incumbent rights and recognition of long-time investment in the system

Watch for more information in Q1 on upcoming engagement opportunities.

Thank you for your interest, participation, and contributions during the early stages of the proposed OTP Framework stakeholder engagements.