Electricity
In Medicine Hat, the City not only generates its own power, but it also owns the distribution system that transmits electricity to your home or business. Your electricity charges show up on a combined utility bill directly from the City. View utility rates.
We supply power to around 30,000 customers within the service area that includes:
- Medicine Hat
- Redcliff
- Dunmore
- Veinerville
- Outlying rural areas adjacent to the city
Power outage
If you are experiencing a power outage, check all breakers on your electrical panel by turning them fully 'off' and then back to the 'on' position.
If this does not work, turn the main breaker located high in the panel box to the ‘off' position and then back to the ‘on' position. Should your power still be out, contact us at 403-529-8260.
Backup Generators
Portable home generator |
These generators must not be connected to your house wiring without the certified installation of a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved utility transfer switch. Please contact a qualified electrical company for more information. Plugging in a portable generator during a power outage poses a serious safety risk to utility crews and first responders. |
Stationary home/farm/commercial generator (open-transition) |
These generators require the installation of a CSA approved utility transfer switch. The transfer switch ensures the generator is not connected in parallel with the electrical distribution system. Please contact us for more information. |
Critical services generator (closed-transition) |
Larger standby generators used by hospitals, schools, municipal waterworks and senior centres, that parallel the supply require review and approval. Please contact us for more information. |
Building or renovating?
You'll need to apply for us to install electricity services to your property. Please review the Customer Connection Guide for connecting to the City's electricity supply. We'll work with you to ensure safe and reliable power to your home or business. Bylaw #2244 Electric Utility governs the safe generation, delivery and use of electrical services in Medicine Hat.
Guidelines for working in proximity to power lines (yellow book)
Generating your own power is an environmentally conscious decision.
We're all responsible to be safe around our utility infrastructure. Find out how.
Requesting a new power service, or an alteration to your current service.
Remember, if you are planning to dig or disturb the ground, request a line locate so you don't hit a buried power line.
Our power
The City of Medicine Hat began generating electricity in 1910 and continues to deliver a reliable supply of power to this day.
Part 8 of the Electric Utilities Act provides Medicine Hat with an exemption from retail competition. This exemption is due to the City's ability to produce enough electricity to satisfy its own electric requirements. Electricity generation, distribution and retail are all performed by the City of Medicine Hat – this makes us unique in the province of Alberta.
100 years strong: history of electric generation |
From 1883 to the present day, Medicine Hat has a proud history of providing safe, reliable power and continues to demonstrate innovation with new initiatives and continuous improvement. 1883Gas discovered by accident at CPR Siding No. 8 at Langevin, near Medicine Hat 1898Medicine Hat incorporated as a town 1895
1906Medicine Hat incorporated as a city 1907Rudyard Kipling travels through Medicine Hat and remarks that it has “all hell for a basement” 1910- 1911
1912
1913
1914
1917
1918City grid expanded to attract more customers 191913.8 kV transmission line built to Redcliff, primarily to service Dominion Glass 1921Plant expansion includes a 500 horsepower Babcock and Wilcox boiler, transmission lines and meters 1924
1929
1930Commitments to regular maintenance and upkeep ensure that plant equipment remains operational and outages are minimal during financially difficult times for both the utility and community 1940
1941- 1943
1947Redcliff distribution system constructed and a 5,000 kW turbo generator is installed 1950s
1951- 1953
1956Kensington becomes the first neighborhood in Canada to be serviced underground 1958Supplementary agreement signed with Calgary Power for standby protection and firm power needs 1960
1962City begins renovation of street lighting system eliminating the use of veranda lights 1970s
1979
1980National Energy Program, Federal Tax applied to natural gas sales results in increased gas and electrical rates 1982
1984
1985Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions (SCADA) system implemented to monitoring of the transmission system 1991
1995
1996
2000Agreement reached with Cancarb to purchase power created through co-generation 2001
2003
2006
2006- 2007
2010
2014
2017
2021
2022
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The future of power |
The rapidly evolving energy industry commits City Council and administration to continuous strategic evaluation of our electric generation abilities. A market valuation exercise in early 2021 saw leaders answer important questions about our current energy climate. That review can be viewed on Shape Your City. In August 2021, the City launched the Southeast Alberta Hydrogen Task Force (Task Force), an independent working group created to establish a framework to implement a hydrogen economy in Southeast Alberta, along with multiple industry partners. |