City of Lethbridge Electric Utility
The City of Lethbridge Electric Utility (LEU) is a public utility that provides electricity services for the citizens of the City of Lethbridge. The LEU is responsible for electricity transmission and distribution, and sells electricity at regulated rates to customers within its service area. As an regulated electricity retailer, the LEU also handles customer care, billing, collections, and other administrative services.
City of Lethbridge Electric Utility Residential Regulated Rates
| Energy Type | Rates | Administration Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 3.160 ยข/kWh | $6.10/month |
Rates effective April 1 - 30, 2016. Check http://ucahelps.alberta.ca/retailers.aspx for latest rates
Lethbridge Electric Utility History
The Lethbridge Waterworks and Electric Light Company (Limited) was established in 1890, and the first power plant in the Lethbridge area opened in 1893. In 1908 the City of Lethbridge purchased the power plant and its supplies, and assumed responsibility for local electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. By 1969 the City had begun to purchase some power from the nearby Calgary Power, and within three years had switched to entirely purchasing its energy supply and had ceased generation operations.
The 1996 restructuring of the Alberta electricity market required municipal utilities to operate as separate corporations from the municipality. The Lethbridge Electric Utility became the regulated rate provider for the city after the retail electricity market was established in 2001. However, the City does not provide regulated rates for natural gas.
Activities and Organization
The Lethbridge Electric Utility has four main areas of service:
- Transmission: as Transmission Facility Owner, the LEU is responsible for operating and maintaining the electricity transmission system in the City of Lethbridge
- Distribution: as a Wire Services Provider, the Lethbridge Electric Utility operates the local distribution system, and as such is regulated by the City of Lethbridge with City Council (which acts as the Board of Directors).
- Energy Provider: the LEU provides regulated rates for those customers who do not choose to purchase a contract for their electricity
- Fibre Services: the Lethbridge Electric Utility also provides dark fibre services to public oriented organizations within the City of Lethbridge
Lethbridge Electric Utility Electricity Services
The City of Lethbridge builds, operates and maintains all transmission, distribution and service facilities for electricity in Lethbridge. The LEU is therefore responsible for maintaining and reading meters, and providing customer services such as billing and support for customers who purchase the regulated rate for electricity. Electricity customers within the City of Lethbridge service area should contact the LEU for electric outages/emergencies, questions about their service connection, and questions about rates/bills, if the LEU is their RRO provider.
Lethbridge Electric Utility By Numbers
38 800 customers
83 full-time personnel
40 km of transmission lines
Call Lethbridge Electric Utility
Customer Service: 403-320-3111
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm; Closed weekends and holidays