Becoming a Pool Participant
What is a pool participant?
A pool participant means a market participant who is registered to transact and is listed in the pool participant list. They include power generators, consumers and marketers.
Generators include both power producers and companies that purchased the rights to formerly regulated Alberta generation during two auctions in 2000.
Consumers may be either retailers, which purchase power and provide related services, such as distribution and billing, on behalf of many customers, or self-retailers, which buy power for their own use.
In addition to the spot market operated by the AESO, power purchasers may contract for physical delivery of power on a forwards market operated by Alberta Watt Exchange Limited. Through the forwards market, buyers and sellers can lock in a firm price for electricity. Buyers and sellers can also arrange direct sales or forward market contracts for their electricity needs.