Alberta electricity & gas market update – June 2026

Electricity market overview

Average AESO Pool Price: ¢ 1.74/kWh

June’s average AESO pool price presents a 59.6% decrease MoM from May’s settle of ¢ 4.30/kWh, and a 62.8% decrease YoY from June 2025’s settle of ¢ 4.68/kWh.

Key drivers of market volatility

• More renewable energy from wind and solar pushed prices down during quieter times of the day. This replaced expensive traditional power plants and created more hours with low prices.
• Energy imported from neighboring regions helped meet demand and lower prices. At the same time, when Alberta had surplus energy but couldn’t export it all, prices dropped further.
• The main reason for June’s lower prices was simple: more electricity was available than needed. This meant fewer price spikes, which brought down the overall monthly average price.

Natural gas (AECO) market overview

Average AECO Price: $1.65/GJ

June 2026 AECO gas prices are up 13.8% MoM and 23.1% YoY. Prices are rising because more natural gas is being produced and demand is changing with the season. Looking ahead, short-term prices will depend on how much gas is being stored and whether supply levels become more stable. Summer prices are expected to be influenced by air conditioning demand and planned maintenance at facilities.

Forward curve indicators

• ~$1.76/GJ – 2027 Futures
• ~$2.38/GJ – 2028 Futures
• ~$2.12/GJ – 2029 Futures

Market insights & trends

• Canada’s AECO natural gas prices hit 3-month high: Physical natural gas prices at NOVA/AECO C rose 11.5 cents to an average of $1.915/GJ on Friday (May 29), their highest level since early March and up from $1.735 one year ago ($1.00).
• Pembina backs Alberta natural gas plant to fuel data center demand: Pembina Pipeline and partners are developing a 932 MW natural gas-fired combined-cycle plant in Alberta to help meet rising data center demand and create another outlet for Western Canada’s abundant gas supply.
• Western Canadian natural gas prices firm as LNG exports start to shine: Natural gas spot prices in Western Canada gathered momentum, bolstered by increased demand from a major export facility, global energy needs and early summer demand.

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