The AEMA says Albertans should delay charging electric vehicles and plugging in block heaters Saturday night. (Dreamstime)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

UPDATE: GRID ALERT ENDED, AESO SAYS

Grid alert ENDED after Albertans urged to limit electricity use Saturday night

Jan 13, 2024 | 7:06 PM

UPDATE: The AESO says that as of 9 p.m., the Grid Alert has ended.

ORIGINAL – 7:00 p.m., Jan. 13

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) issued a Civil Emergency alert Saturday evening urging Albertans to immediately restrict unnecessary use of electricity.

This alert most Albertans should’ve received on their mobile device, and it comes in tandem with an Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) grid alert issued earlier this evening.

“Extreme cold resulting in high power demand has placed the Alberta grid at a high risk of rotating power outages this evening. Albertans are asked to immediately limit their electricity use to essential needs only,” the AEMA alert says.

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“Turn off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances. Minimize the use of space heaters. Delay use of major power appliances. Delay charging electrical vehicles and plugging in block heaters. Cook with microwave instead of stove.”

“On top of high demand of our own energy generation, Alberta’s grid receives electricity from neighbouring provinces,” a statement from Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf explains. “Extreme weather in Saskatchewan and British Columbia is impacting electricity sharing, which is also a contributing factor to tonight’s grid alert. The Alberta Electric System Operator has activated its emergency grid management plan to work with local distribution utilities to avoid potential rolling brownouts.”

The latest alerts come a day after the AESO shared that two large natural gas generator outages, and very low renewable power on the system, were prompting a grid alert. That alert lasted from about 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday.

This time, the AESO hasn’t stated that there have been any outages.

The full alert can be read and followed for updates HERE.

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