Originally published Feb. 28, 2025 at The Narwhal. Read the full story here.

When natural gas power plant outages brought Alberta’s electricity grid to the verge of collapse last April, one key factor kept the lights on. That crucial backstop? Imports of electricity from B.C. and other areas, through what are known as interties. 

Yet despite the role imported power plays as a source of reliability and insurance, Alberta has neglected those lines, much to the consternation of provincial and state neighbours.

Through a freedom of information request, The Narwhal obtained a letter B.C’s former energy minister wrote last July to Alberta’s minister of affordability and utilities, Nathan Neudorf. In the letter, then-B.C energy minister Josie Osborne urged Alberta to prioritize upgrades on the electricity link between the two provinces — something it has been obligated to do under its own Transmission Regulation since 2007.

As Alberta embarks on a massive overhaul of its electricity market, the letter revealed B.C. was growing concerned power imports were being overlooked. Osborne cited short-term solutions she said likely wouldn’t have a significant impact on the intertie’s capacity and past promises from the Alberta Electric System Operator — the independent agency that operates Alberta’s grid — to improve the link that went unfulfilled. 

“Given this context, B.C. is becoming increasingly concerned that intertie restoration efforts may have ceased to be a priority,” Osborne wrote. 

The former minister argued Alberta was restricting imports of electricity, in violation of interprovincial agreements and to the financial detriment of B.C.

A ministerial briefing note written at the same time as Osborne’s letter said Alberta was restricting commercial imports of electricity on the line and then relying on the intertie in times of emergency to draw power from B.C. and other jurisdictions — without due compensation. 

“The choice to significantly de-rate the intertie’s commercial capacity from B.C. to Alberta, a choice taken despite the availability of other options and instead of making restorative investments, undermines the intended mutual benefit by creating asymmetric market access for Alberta supply,” Osborne wrote to Neudorf. 

Since then, Neudorf has directed Alberta’s grid operator to initiate work on the intertie, but it remains unclear whether that work will satisfy its neighbour to the west. 

A BC Hydro presentation written after Neudorf’s direction stated, “There is no mechanism currently in place to ensure the B.C.-Alberta intertie is being utilized most effectively for the benefit of both parties.”

READ THE FULL STORY AT THE NARWHAL.