Pre-Engagement - Phase 2: Large Load Integration

Important Dates & Materials

November 26, 2025 | Stakeholder Update

The following organizations will participate in the Phase 2 Working Group, kicking off later this week.

  • Beacon AI Centers
  • Capital Power Corporation
  • Dow Chemical Canada
  • eStruxture
  • Imperial Oil
  • IREN Ltd
  • KALiNA Distributed Power
  • Kineticor Asset Management LP
  • TransAlta Corp.

Thank you to everyone who applied to take part.

November 5, 2025 | Stakeholder Update

The AESO is launching the Large Load Working Group (“LLWG-2A”), a targeted industry engagement to explore and develop Phase 2A solutions for “bring your own generation” (BYOG) and MW allocations.

The LLWG-2A will collaborate with the AESO to develop a proposal to update the connection process, ensuring it recognizes and accommodates large loads that: (i) self-supply their own power on-site; (ii) enable net new generation on the transmission system; or (ii) require MW allocations. This effort aims to improve transparency and speed-to-market for projects that support Alberta’s reliability and competitiveness.

The LLWG-2A will follow a structured approach to develop the proposal:

  • Identify key challenges in the current connection process
  • Understand best practices and regulatory considerations
  • Contribute to the design and validation of a proposal for BYOG and MW allocations
  • Deliver a final proposal for broader industry consultation in 2026

To ensure informed and balanced input, we are targeting representation from the following groups:

  • Data centre developers/end use customers (4 - 6 members)
  • Generators (1 - 3 members)
  • Industrial load customers (1 - 3 members)

LLWG-2A Selection

  • Application Deadline: November 13, 2025
  • Notification to Selected Members: November 20, 2025

Proposal Development

  • Preliminary Kick-off Meeting (virtual): November 28, 2025
  • 1:1 meetings with AESO: Week of December 1 and December 8
  • Joint LLWG-2A meetings: as needed

Broader Industry Engagement

  • Proposal Release, Engagement Sessions, and Written Comment Period: January-February 2026 (ETA)

For additional information, review the Phase 2A Working Group Supplemental Information and Terms of Reference. All interested stakeholders can apply to participate in the working group via the survey below.

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 will explore 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.

The design of Phase II engagement is still in development and requires careful planning and coordination. To help shape its scope and direction, we are seeking stakeholder input on:

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

See pages 3 and 4 of the latest Data Centre Update for the relevant information to complete the survey below.

Important Dates & Materials

November 26, 2025 | Stakeholder Update

The following organizations will participate in the Phase 2 Working Group, kicking off later this week.

  • Beacon AI Centers
  • Capital Power Corporation
  • Dow Chemical Canada
  • eStruxture
  • Imperial Oil
  • IREN Ltd
  • KALiNA Distributed Power
  • Kineticor Asset Management LP
  • TransAlta Corp.

Thank you to everyone who applied to take part.

November 5, 2025 | Stakeholder Update

The AESO is launching the Large Load Working Group (“LLWG-2A”), a targeted industry engagement to explore and develop Phase 2A solutions for “bring your own generation” (BYOG) and MW allocations.

The LLWG-2A will collaborate with the AESO to develop a proposal to update the connection process, ensuring it recognizes and accommodates large loads that: (i) self-supply their own power on-site; (ii) enable net new generation on the transmission system; or (ii) require MW allocations. This effort aims to improve transparency and speed-to-market for projects that support Alberta’s reliability and competitiveness.

The LLWG-2A will follow a structured approach to develop the proposal:

  • Identify key challenges in the current connection process
  • Understand best practices and regulatory considerations
  • Contribute to the design and validation of a proposal for BYOG and MW allocations
  • Deliver a final proposal for broader industry consultation in 2026

To ensure informed and balanced input, we are targeting representation from the following groups:

  • Data centre developers/end use customers (4 - 6 members)
  • Generators (1 - 3 members)
  • Industrial load customers (1 - 3 members)

LLWG-2A Selection

  • Application Deadline: November 13, 2025
  • Notification to Selected Members: November 20, 2025

Proposal Development

  • Preliminary Kick-off Meeting (virtual): November 28, 2025
  • 1:1 meetings with AESO: Week of December 1 and December 8
  • Joint LLWG-2A meetings: as needed

Broader Industry Engagement

  • Proposal Release, Engagement Sessions, and Written Comment Period: January-February 2026 (ETA)

For additional information, review the Phase 2A Working Group Supplemental Information and Terms of Reference. All interested stakeholders can apply to participate in the working group via the survey below.

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 will explore 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.

The design of Phase II engagement is still in development and requires careful planning and coordination. To help shape its scope and direction, we are seeking stakeholder input on:

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

See pages 3 and 4 of the latest Data Centre Update for the relevant information to complete the survey below.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Phase II Pre-Engagement Survey | Sept. 26 - Oct.15, 2025

    We value stakeholder input and invite you to provide feedback on the design of our engagement for Phase II of Large Load Integration. Respond to this survey by October 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. MT. Please be as specific as possible with your responses. Thank you for your input.

    Instructions

    1. This feedback form is open to all industry stakeholders.
    2. Please respond to the questions as indicated.
    3. Only one completed feedback form will be accepted per organization.
    4. To submit your responses:
    • You will need to be registered and signed in on the AESO Engage platform; and
    • Click on the "Submit Stakeholder Feedback" box below to respond to the survey.


    All responses are due by October 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. MT. and will be shared on AESO Engage in their original format. If you have any questions about the survey, email stakeholderrelations@aeso.ca.

    Questions

    1. Do you agree with the AESO’s stated objectives for Phase II (enable as much load as possible within reliability guardrails, develop clear and efficient pathways to connection, explore opportunities for innovative grid partnerships)?
    2. Should there be different or additional objectives for Phase II?
    3. Do you agree with the key questions and related topics for Phase II laid out in the latest Data Centre Update?
    4. Rank the following topics from the latest Data Centre Update in order of priority. (1=top)
    5. Explain why you ranked the topics in that order.
    6. Are there other questions, topics or issues that should be considered?
    7. What interdependencies with other AESO or policy initiatives could challenge Phase II?
    8. Rank the following engagement formats according to which will provide the most efficient and meaningful participation for this engagement. (1=best)
    9. Are there any other comments you would like to share in advance of the Phase II engagement?
Page last updated: 26 Nov 2025, 09:39 AM