Alberta dropped to last place in the 2024 Scorecard, falling two spots since 2022 and earning 8 points out of 100. 

Unlike most North American jurisdictions, Alberta does not allow utilities to engage in demand-side management (DSM) activities. Introducing utility-led DSM could help reduce costs, boost grid resilience, and improve Alberta’s energy savings.

Alberta leads the country in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs, with residential offerings in 20 municipalities, bylaws in 28 communities, and commercial programs in Edmonton and Sturgeon County. This demonstrates a strong municipal commitment to energy efficiency, but there is room for a province-wide strategy.

Alberta was an early adopter of the 2020 national model codes but has stayed at the lowest performance tier. Aligning with Saskatchewan’s code progress would position Alberta to better handle extreme weather and lower residents' energy bills. Five years ago, Alberta ranked much higher in electricity and natural gas savings. The province’s history indicates the potential for substantial energy efficiency gains if a consistent, institutionalized framework is adopted.