Described as the most complex machine in the world, North America’s transmission grid is under increasing pressure as a result of a lack of investment and increasing demand on the system. In 2003, blackouts in North America, Scandinavia, England and Italy knocked out power to 112 million people and reinforced the need to ensure the reliability and security of transmission grids.

AltaLink is Alberta’s transmission leader, owning and operating almost 60 per cent of the transmission lines in the province and supplying electricity to 85 per cent of its population. We are responsible for the maintenance and operation of approximately 11,800 kilometres of transmission lines and approximately 270 substations in Alberta.

Proactive, long-term thinking is critical to the continued development of the transmission grid in Alberta. Through a combination of the management and maintenance of our existing assets and the introduction of cost-effective transmission solutions to the AESO, AltaLink will continue to be a leader in the development of Alberta’s transmission system to meet our customers’ growing needs.