Important Dates & Materials

March 25 | Stakeholder Update (below) and materials posted:

• LLWG-2A One-One Results and Next Steps
• LLWG-2A Sprint 4 – Readiness Requirements

Feb. 17 | Stakeholder update (below) and materials posted:

• LLWG-2A Kick-off - Nov. 28, 2025
• LLWG-2A AESO Straw Model for 1-1 Meetings
• LLWG-2A 'What We Heard' Summary
  
  

March 25 | Stakeholder Update

Following an update and planning session on Feb 9, the AESO held a “sprint week” with the working group Feb 18-20 (discussion only, no material provided). Meetings were held to review and discuss design and implementation questions related to process rollout needs, tethering agreements, project readiness requirements, study paths, and other topics. An additional meeting was held on March 3 for detailed discussions on project readiness requirements. The AESO will next provide the working group with a draft end-to-end process that incorporates the feedback from the meetings, and additional meetings will be held in April to further refine.

We will post another update and next steps in April, with broader industry engagement and rollout of the process occurring in the second half of Q2.

Feb. 17 | Stakeholder Update

We held a kick-off session for the Phase 2A Large Load Working Group on Nov. 28. At their request, we also hosted a Q&A session with the AESO Chief Engineer on Dec. 10 to ensure common understanding of the methodology, inputs and assumptions underpinning the Phase I Interim Interconnection Limit (refer to slides 21-30 of the Phase I Large Load Integration Information Session presentation).

Between Dec. 4 and 17, we hosted one-on-one meetings with each LLWG-2A member to gather detailed input on connection process updates to accommodate large loads that (i) self-supply their own power on-site; (ii) enable net new generation on the transmission system; or (iii) require MW allocations. We provided a straw dog model outlining a sample connection process to support additional discussions. A 'What We Heard' summary has been prepared and provided to reflect common themes from the LLWG-2A individual meetings. Several design and implementation questions emerged, prompting an additional round of group meetings this month.

We'll provide another update and next steps in March.

Purpose

The AESO rolled out Phase I of the Large Load Integration Program on June 4, 2025. Phase I included a 1,200 MW interim large load connection limit and a process for allocating that load among qualified project developers.

Phase II of the Large Load Integration Program is exploring the changes necessary to create the long-term framework for large loads (including data centres) across the AESO’s mandate, including connections, planning, operations, markets, tariff and reliability.

We continue to evolve the design of Phase II engagement, which requires careful planning and coordination. To help shape its scope and direction, we sought stakeholder input on:

• key questions and related topics to address; and
• structure and timing, considering the interdependencies with other engagements.