If Your Power is Out

Our electric distribution system is designed to be reliable, however power outages can and do occur for a variety of reasons.
ELP Overhead bucket work

Report an outage

Contact us if your power goes out or other electrical trouble occurs. Please be prepared to describe the problem and your location  This will help us identify possible causes so that our crews can restore your electricity as quickly as possible.

During regular business hours: 403-342-8274 (7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

After hours: 403-348-5700 (evenings, weekends, holidays)

During a power outage

  • Never go near a fallen power line
  • Call 9-1-1 for life threatening or emergency situations
  • Gather your emergency kit
  • Check your breaker panel or fuse box
  • Turn off tools, appliances and equipment
  • Turn down thermostat to minimum
  • Turn off all lights, except one so that you know when power is back on
  • Do not use outdoor equipment (camp stove, lantern, barbecue, etc.) inside your home
  • Never plug a portable generator into a household outlet
  • Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed. Food in a full freezer will remain frozen for 24 to 36 hours. Dairy products should be discarded after six hours.
  • Anticipate traffic delays. If traffic lights are off, treat the intersection as a four way stop. If traffic lights are flashing: amber, proceed with caution; red, come to a complete stop and proceed when it’s safe to do so.

After a power outage

Service is often restored without further interruptions; however, sometimes during the restoration process, power may go on and off as crews perform the necessary repairs.

After the power is restored, please:

  • Turn on essential appliances first and then others after 10 - 15 minutes
  • Reset your thermostat
  • Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are back on
  • Reset your clocks, automatic timers and alarms
  • Restock your emergency kit

View Get Prepared for more information.

What causes power outages?

Most outages are not planned. They are typically caused by:

  • Equipment failure
  • Weather
  • Animals
  • Vehicles and construction activities

Occasionally, maintenance, repair and upgrade work will require an outage for the safety of the public and our line workers. This is an important part of our effort to provide safe and reliable power. When an extended interruption in electrical service is planned, we do our best to go door-to-door to leave a printed notification for residents at least one to two days in advance of the outage. However, some infrequent, short duration interruptions may occur without warning.