Utility Network and Partners

The Utility Network provides a centralized internet-based billing and customer services system on behalf of Alberta boutique electricity retail companies.

About the Utility Network

The Utility Network began in 1979 as the Electrical Power Supervision System, an energy management and utility billing system. It expanded its scope to meet the business needs of oil and gas companies operating in Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) in the late 1990s. A retail invoice settlement system was launched in 2001 in time with the deregulation of Alberta's electricity markets. The Utility Network was launched 10 years later in 2011.

The Utility Network provides a data centre and centralized back-office system for independent retailers. Internet-based and linked to the major wire services providers in the province, it provides small retailers access to the kinds of automated payment systems and information databases that major energy retailers use. Utility Network partners use a standardized billing and customer support service that is based out of Calgary.

Common Customer Service Features of Utility Network Partners

Utility Network Partners tend to offer a common set of customer service features:

• Pre-Authorized Debit Payment
  The Utility Network offers a centralized online billing system, which requires customers to pay by pre-authorized debit. Customers receive monthly bills by email
• Fixed and Floating Rates
  Most Utility Network partners offer both fixed and floating rate options for customers
• 5% Paid on Security Deposits
  Many companies who are part of the Utility network will offer a lower fixed rate and 5% per annum interest paid for customers who agree to open and maintain an Interest Account. The interest is usually paid as a credit on the customer's bill starting on the second bill, as long as the customer maintains a minimum balance (usually $100 - $200).
• No Early-Exit Fees
  Most Utility Network partners will not charge cancellation fees for contracts that are cancelled with at least 10 business days' notice

Utility Network Partners

The following retailers operating in Alberta are part of the Utility Network:

• Adagio Energy Inc.
• Bow Valley Power
• Brighter Futures Energy Inc.
• Burst Energy
• Camrose Energy
• Choice Energy
• Echo Energy
• E.NRG Power Ltd.
• Get Energy
• Landmark Power
• Link Energy Flex
• Merit Energy & Power
• Milner Power Inc.
• Mountain View Power
• NewGen Energy Ltd.
• Northern Lights Energy & Power
• Park Power
• Peace Power
• Relay Energy
• SPARK Power
• Sponsor Energy
• Spot Power
• Vector Energy
• Wainwright Energy

Services Provided

The Utility Network provides the following services:

• Online Business Services for Electricity and Natural Gas Retailers: including business analytics and centralized billing services
• Site Catalogue: a searchable address database, including all electrical customer sites enrolled with the major wire service providers in Alberta and natural gas customers
• Self-Retail: the Utility Network provides self-retail service that guides businesses through the process of purchasing their own energy directly from the AESO at wholesale prices. Businesses that are interested in purchasing their own energy must first join the AESO as a market participant, and then sign an agreement with their local electricity distribution company (wire services provider). The Utility Network can provide the necessary software and IT platform, including utility and transactional information, for a monthly transactional charge.
• Billing Services for Rural Electrification Associations

Through its operating division Spot Power, the Utility Network also sells retail electricity.

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