Alberta RRO prices jumped to 15.1 cents per KWh in January 2012

The increasing grid power prices in Alberta make arguments for power conservation and distributed generation even stronger. January RRO prices jumped to 15.1 cents per KWh for Edmonton customers mainly due to the outages in Alberta coal-fired power generation. Earlier in November 2011, an increase in Edmonton distribution tariffs and tariff adjustments resulted in higher total rates. The RRO customers will now pay 15.1 cents for energy in addition to from 4.2 to 6.1 cents per KWh for transmission, distribution and tariff adjustments. For comparison, the current levelized cost of energy for Edmonton grid-tied PV systems at un-shaded sites is only 11 cents per KWh.