The Market Assessment and Compliance Division of the IESO and Market Surveillance Administrator of Alberta sign memorandum of understanding to improve compliance with respective market rules
October 15, 2019
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the IESO’s Market Assessment and Compliance Division (MACD) and the Market Surveillance Administrator of Alberta (MSA) will support increased cooperation and information sharing between both organizations. Consumers will be better protected from anti-competitive practices and will help ensure a fair and level playing field in the electricity markets.
This MOU will mean improved access to information, shared best practices and approaches for investigations, and joint advocacy and training opportunities.
This is the second MOU signed in the past year to enhance MACD’s ability to monitor behaviour that exploits, manipulates or circumvents Ontario electricity market rules, and enforce compliance. An MOU with the federal Competition Bureau was signed in December 2018, and MACD expects to reach similar agreements with other enforcement organizations across North America.
The IESO’s market rules establish and govern efficient, competitive and reliable wholesale markets for electricity in Ontario. Ontario’s electricity market connects generators and suppliers that sell electricity with wholesale consumers who purchase it. Competition in the market ensures that electricity is available to Ontarians across the province at the lowest cost.
MACD is the enforcement body that oversees conduct in the Ontario wholesale electricity market. MACD monitors the operation of Ontario’s electricity grid and markets, investigating potential non-compliance with the Ontario market rules and North American reliability standards. By investigating, identifying and holding parties accountable, MACD ensures that market participants and consumers are protected. Its enforcement activities and market education efforts also help deter future breaches of the market rules.
The MSA is an independent enforcement agency established by the Government of Alberta with the responsibility to protect and promote the fair, efficient and openly competitive operation of Alberta’s electricity and retail natural gas markets.