On January 14th, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) declared the third grid alert in three days as frigid temperatures continued across the province, driving up electricity demand while reducing available renewable power supplies. Temperatures ranged from -40°C to as low as -34°C in certain areas, with wind generation typically shut down around -30°C to prevent material-related failures. Wind generation was minimal across southern Alberta, with solar falling to 332 megawatts from grid-scale solar.
By 8 a.m., there was zero power produced by 45 wind farms in Alberta, with zero solar power as well at this time. By 11:28 a.m., Alberta Premier Danielle Smith had posted that extreme weather was continuing, and an additional grid alert was possible. The contingency reserve fell to zero by 5:08 p.m., despite a requirement of 500 megawatts, indicating a critical deficit in reserves.
By evening, imports of power from British Columbia and Montana improved the power situation in Alberta, and AESO declared the end of the grid alert at 10:12 p.m., after the electricity situation had been tense for 6.5 hours. Grid alerts were also issued by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) as well as ERCOT in the United States due to the extreme weather and low reserves.