Your monthly bill details more than just the energy you use. It also includes fees and charges for maintaining the networks and infrastructure, and in some cases city services like water or garbage collection.

Energy used

How much energy you use every month is measured by a meter and you are charged for the electricity or natural gas you use during a specific billing period.

Energy charges for electricity

Pays for: The electricity you use each month.

Details: Electricity is charged on a fixed rate (same rate every month)* or a variable rate (can rise and fall)*. What you use is measured by kilowatt hour (kWh). The average home in Alberta uses around 600 kilowatt hours every month.

Energy charges for natural gas

Pays for: The natural gas you use each month.

Details: Similar to electricity, your natural gas is billed on either a fixed or variable rate*. Your use is charged by the gigajoule (GJ). The average home in Alberta uses around 9 gigajoules every month.

* Some conditions, admin, other fees and taxes beyond the electricity and natural gas rates also apply.

Transmission and distribution delivery system

Beyond the energy you use, you can also see charges that help support infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, as well as other fees related to energy.

Distribution charge

Pays for: The costs related to building and maintaining the distribution system as well as general utility operations. Distribution fees support networks or pipelines that move energy around the communities to your home or business where it will be used.

Details: This charge is collected on behalf of the local wires owner to help cover delivery related costs. It is charged regardless of which retail company you choose to supply electricity or natural gas. These charges are reviewed and approved by the regulator for your service area.

Transmission charge

Pays for: Upgrades and maintenance for the wires and infrastructure that moves electricity from generation facilities to the Alberta communities where it’s used.

Details: This charge is collected on behalf of the Alberta Electricity System Operator. All Albertans and industry pay transmission fees, which can vary based on several factors. These charges are reviewed and approved by the regulator for your service area.

Balancing Pool Allocation

Pays for: Balancing cash flow associated with power purchase arrangements (PPA) and related events resulting from deregulation.

Details: Created by legislation, the balancing pool allocation hands back the costs and benefits of PPAs and related events resulting from deregulation to ratepayers.

Rate riders

Pays for: Adjustments to compensate for differences between the actual cost of electricity or natural gas and the approved rate for the service.

Details: Riders can be either a credit or a charge depending on the market conditions and are set by the Alberta Utilities Commission.

Local access/municipal franchise fee

Pays for: Use of municipal land for electricity or natural gas equipment or the right to be the exclusive distributor for an area.

Details: This fee is collected by electricity or natural gas companies but is set by municipalities and can be based on a percentage of the energy or the delivery charge.

Municipal services

Instead of receiving multiple bills every month if you are in Calgary or Cardston, charges for municipal services are included on your ENMAX bill. (GST exempt)

Water

Pays for: The water you use each month.

Details: Depending on where you live, your water could be charged based on exactly what you’ve used (meter) or on a flat fee every month. Your fees are collected on your bill for convenience and then are transferred to your city or your municipality. Your city or municipality sets the rates associated with water in your area.

Wastewater and Drainage

Pays for: Access to and the maintenance of the sewage system.

Details: Also referred to as Wastewater and Drainage, this fee is set by your local municipal government. These fees are collected on your bill and are passed on to local governments who use them for upgrades and repairs to the system.

Recycling

Pays for: The collection of garbage, and the collection and processing of recycling and food and yard waste.

Details: Depending on the services offered in your area, this fee could be a flat monthly fee or may be broken down to a daily fee. Your municipality sets these fees which are collected as part of your bill.

Federal carbon levy

Starting January 1, 2020 and increasing over time, the federal carbon levy adds a cost to natural gas as part of Canada’s climate plan.

Taxes

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Details: Currently set at five percent, this tax is collected on behalf of the federal government.

Administration/ Transaction Fee

Similar to other service providers, your bill can include charges that help pay for costs associated with your account.

Administration Fee

Pays for: Billing and customer service.

Details: Administration fees go towards costs such and billing and customer services provided by your electricity or natural gas retailer. Each retailer sets this fee and you may be billed a flat monthly fee or a daily fee for these services.

Transaction Fee

(ENMAX Energy retail plans only)
Pays for: Costs associated with purchasing energy .

Details: This charge helps offset the costs to purchase energy that is then sold to retail plan customers.