Provost to Edgerton and Nilrem to Vermilion Transmission Development (1781)

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has decided to cancel the Provost to Edgerton and Nilrem to Vermilion (PENV) Transmission Development project and will be applying to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to cancel the approved Needs Identification Document (NID). 

The NID was approved in 2019 and AltaLink and ATCO subsequently completed preparatory work, including engineering design, land assessments, consultation with stakeholders and Facility Applications to the AUC. Work on the transmission development was paused in 2021 while the AESO monitored and reassessed the need.

This decision follows extensive planning, stakeholder engagement and a reassessment of electricity transmission needs in central-east Alberta. The construction of the Central East Transfer-Out (CETO) project, system topology changes and revised load forecasts have addressed the constraints that originally justified PENV. As a result, the AESO has determined there is no longer a need for this transmission development.

Please see documents below for more information.

Key documents

• PENV Needs Identification Document Approval 23429-D02-2019 Cancellation Application [Posted September 16, 2026]
• PENV AESO Cancellation Notice Letter [Posted September 9, 2026]

Previous plans

On December 16, 2016 the AESO filed its Needs Identification Document (NID) for Transmission Development with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). An amended NID was filed on March 26, 2018, and an oral hearing was conducted the week of December 17, 2018. On April 10, 2019, the AUC approved the AESO’s NID.

In April 2014, we first informed stakeholders about our plans to cancel certain transmission system developments previously approved in 2011 as part of the Central East Transmission Development Amendment (CETD). As part of its application to the Alberta Utilities Commission for the proposed PENV transmission development, the AESO will also apply for approval to cancel certain unconstructed CETD components that are no longer needed.

In July 2014, the AESO informed stakeholders of the need for transmission development referred to as the Vermilion to Red Deer, Edgerton to Provost Transmission Development (VREPTD). As part of its ongoing planning process, the AESO has decided not to proceed with that development. The Provost to Edgerton and Nilrem to Vermilion Transmission Development (PENV) is proposed to replace parts of the VREPTD. Further developments west of PENV may be required in the future, and if so we will notify you of our plans at that time.  

Please see the documents below for more information on the need for this development.

Previous plans key documents

• Provost to Edgerton and Nilrem to Vermilion Transmission Development Stakeholder Newsletter [Posted: October 24, 2016]
• Notification of AESO Regulatory Filing [Posted: December 1, 2016]

• Central East Transmission Development Amendment – Update [Posted: September 16, 2014]

• Vermilion to Red Deer, Edgerton to Provost Transmission Development Newsletter [Posted: July 14, 2014]

Needs Identification Documents

• Amended Provost to Edgerton and Nilrem to Vermilion Transmission System Reinforcement NID [Posted: March 26, 2018]

  • Supplement to Appendix A - AESO PENV Area Transmission Reinforcement Planning Studies
  • Amended Appendix B - AESO Load and Generation Forecast

  Provost to Edgerton and Nilrem to Vermilion Transmission System Reinforcement NID [Posted:December 16, 2016]

  Appendix A - AESO PENV Area Transmission Reinforcement Planning Studies
  Appendix B - AESO Load and Generation Forecast
  Appendix C - TFO Capital Cost Estimates
  Appendix D - AESO Participant Involvement Program (PIP)
  Appendix E - Commission Rule 007, Section 6.1 NID7(9)
  Appendix F - ATCO Electric Ltd. letter regarding Vermilion 710 Substation
  Appendix G - AESO Transmission Planning Criteria - Basis and Assumptions

• Central East Region Transmission Development Needs Identification Document [Posted: May 6, 2010]
  • Appendix A - Existing System Power Flow Plots [Posted: May 6, 2010]
  • Appendix B - Historic Peak Substation Load Data [Posted: May 6, 2010]
  • Appendix C - Alternatives Detail [Posted: May 6, 2010]
  • Appendix D - Steady State and Voltage Stability Analyses [Posted: May 6, 2010]
  • Appendix E - Transient Stability Analysis [Posted: May 6, 2010]
  • Appendix F - Land Impact Assessment [Posted: May 6, 2010]
  • Appendix G - Cost Estimates & Economic Analysis [Posted: May 6, 2010]
  • Appendix H - Participant Involvement Program [Posted: May 6, 2010]
  • AUC Decision [Posted: February 10, 2011]