Ag Energy Co-operative

What Ag Energy Co-operative does

Ag Energy Co-operative (AEC) is a member-owned energy cooperative founded in 1988 in Guelph, Ontario, and licensed by the Ontario Energy Board as both a natural gas marketer (GM-2024-0157) and an electricity retailer (ER-2024-0156). The company purchases natural gas and electricity on the wholesale market in bulk and resells these commodities to medium-to-large volume consumers in Ontario, with a primary focus on agricultural producers and processors (greenhouse growers, farms, food processors, wineries) and secondary exposure to municipalities, manufacturers, ethanol plants, and schools. AEC operates on a cooperative model under the Ontario Co-operative Corporations Act, with an elected board (80% member directors) and a profit-distribution mechanism that has returned over $10 million in patronage and dividends to members since 2003. The company received a formal ECPA exemption in 2017 based on the consumer protections inherent to its cooperative governance structure.

AEC's core product offering comprises two primary lines. Natural gas programs include Fixed Price, Canadian Gas Price Reporter (Index), and Custom Hedging structures, with AEC notably being the first Ontario organization to offer contract terms beyond five years, now extending to ten years. Electricity programs include Market Rate (the first such program in Ontario, introduced in 2005) and Fixed Price plans. Underlying these is a procurement and portfolio management platform that enables strategic purchasing across multiple sites, utilities, and contract types, incorporating market analysis and rate optimization. Supporting service modules include bill verification on LDC invoices, greenhouse gas reporting for federal and provincial compliance, Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) management, independent energy efficiency reviews, and regulatory monitoring, with AEC also offering electricity billing services to third-party energy sellers.

Revenue is generated primarily through commodity margin on resold natural gas and electricity (subscription/recurring) and through fees for ancillary consulting and billing services (professional services). Pricing is not publicly listed; customers engage account executives via phone, email, or online scheduling for customized quotes. Distribution is conducted through direct enterprise field sales supplemented by channel partnerships (notably with Hensall District Co-operative) and a network of agricultural industry associations. The company maintains a small headcount (11–50 employees) and is led by CEO Michelle Vieira, who also serves as Director of Sales.

Name

Ag Energy Co-operative

Legal name

Ag Energy Co-operative Ltd.

Website

https://agenergy.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ag Energy Co-operative is a member-owned Ontario energy cooperative that purchases natural gas and electricity on the wholesale market in bulk and resells to medium-to-large agricultural producers, processors, and other volume energy consumers across Ontario, offering fixed, indexed, and hedged pricing plus energy management services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Retail and Marketing Services

akta.pro primary industry

Natural Gas Retail Supplier (Competitive) Marketing & Sales (EUAAADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

C&I Retail Natural Gas Supply (EUAGACAB), Aggregator/Brokered Natural Gas Sales (Brokers, Marketers, Aggregators) (EUAAADAF)

Keywords

• Natural gas procurement
• Electricity retail
• Energy consulting
• Agricultural energy programs
• Wholesale energy purchasing

Headquarters

HQ city

Guelph

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Natural Gas Commodity Sales: AEC purchases natural gas on the wholesale market and resells to agricultural producers and processors. All members receive the same commodity pricing regardless of consumption level. Revenue is generated through competitive pricing on fixed price, index, and custom hedging programs.
2. Electricity Sales: Licensed electricity retailer offering market rate and fixed price electricity programs to medium to large volume consumers across Ontario. Revenue generated through competitive electricity pricing programs.
3. Energy Consulting Services: Additional services including billing verification, energy efficiency reviews, GHG reporting, and regulatory monitoring. Services provided as part of membership benefits or standalone consulting engagements.
4. Electricity Billing Services: AEC offers electricity commodity billing services to other energy sellers, opening market options for their customers and reducing administration costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ag Energy Co-operative purchases natural gas and electricity commodity in bulk on wholesale markets and resells it to medium-to-large-volume consumers—primarily agricultural producers and processors in Ontario—under fixed-price, index, and custom-hedging programs. It supplements commodity supply with energy advisory and management services including bill verification, GHG compliance reporting, energy efficiency review, ICI program administration, regulatory monitoring, and electricity billing services for other retailers.

Product overview

Ag Energy Co-operative (AEC) is an Ontario-based energy co-operative offering a unified platform combining commodity procurement and energy management services. The core offerings include Natural Gas Programs (Fixed Price, Canadian Gas Price Reporter/Index, Custom Hedging) and Electricity Programs (Market Rate, Fixed Price) for agricultural producers and processors. Supporting modules include Billing Services and Verification, Energy Efficiency Review, Greenhouse Gas Reporting, ICI Management, and Regulatory Monitoring. The co-operative model enables bulk purchasing on wholesale markets with savings passed to members through competitive pricing, patronage distributions, and dividends. Services are available to both members and non-members, with members gaining voting rights and access to dividends.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Natural Gas Programs Licensed natural gas commodity and transportation procurement program for Ontario medium-to-large-volume consumers, offering Fixed Price, Canadian Gas Price Reporter (Index), and Custom Hedging structures with term limits up to 10 years. Pricing includes both commodity and transportation costs (Ontario landed gas) for transparent, all-in rates.
• Electricity Programs Licensed electricity commodity retail program for Ontario medium-to-large-volume consumers, offering Market Rate and Fixed Price options with bill verification and ICI management support. Provided by a licensed electricity retailer operating under Ontario Energy Board oversight.
• Energy Management Services Bundle of energy advisory services for Ontario energy buyers, including Bill Verification (full review of LDC invoices), Energy Efficiency Reviews (independent assessment of projects), Greenhouse Gas Reporting for Government of Canada and Ontario compliance, Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) Management, and Regulatory Monitoring with proactive notification of changes affecting customers.
• Electricity Billing Services for Other Retailers Outsourced electricity commodity billing service offered to other energy sellers, handling customer billing to open market options for end customers and reduce administrative costs for the partner retailer.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% energy expenditure savings for greenhouse cucumber grower case study through conservation, rate analysis, optimization
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hensall Co-operativecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 March 2020AEC partnered with Hensall Co-operative to offer natural gas and electricity services to their members. This partnership extends AEC's reach within the agricultural co-operative community.
• Ontario Co-operative Association (OCA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization representing Ontario co-operatives. AEC participates in the co-operative community through OCA membership.
• Canadian Co-operative AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational co-operative association partnership for broader co-operative movement engagement.
• Food & Beverage OntariominorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association partnership connecting AEC with food and beverage processing members who have energy needs.
• Flowers Canada GrowersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association for greenhouse flower growers - AEC's original founding sector.
• Ontario Agri-Business Association (AOBA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade association for agri-businesses in Ontario.
• Ontario Energy Board (OEB)coreOthersRegulatory body that licenses AEC as a natural gas marketer and electricity retailer. AEC regularly participates in OEB consultations and provides feedback on policy development including ECPA, Electricity Framework, TOU vs. RPP, and Line Losses.
• Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)coreOthersOntario's electricity grid operator - AEC works with IESO to manage electricity procurement and regulatory programs for customers.
• Enbridge GascoreOthersOntario natural gas utility - AEC represents customers and liaises with Enbridge to ensure seamless energy supply.
• Ontario Federation of AgricultureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLargest general farm organization in Ontario - partnership for agricultural member outreach.
• Christian Farmers Federation of OntariominorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgricultural membership organization for Christian farmers in Ontario.
• Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable GrowersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association for greenhouse vegetable producers - core agricultural sector for AEC.
• TOGA (The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlliance of greenhouse industry organizations in Ontario.
• Fields to ForksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgricultural media partnership for TV commercial and brand visibility showcasing AEC members.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Just Energy: Major Ontario-based competitive natural gas and electricity retailer with strong commercial and small-business focus. Competes with AEC on commodity pricing structures (fixed, variable, indexed) and customer-acquisition spend.
• Hudson Energy: Competitive natural gas and electricity retailer focused on commercial and industrial customers in North America, including Ontario. Offers similar fixed and indexed pricing structures targeted at the same medium-to-large volume buyer segment AEC serves.
• Summitt Energy: Ontario-based competitive natural gas and electricity retailer serving residential and small commercial customers. A direct regional competitor in the Ontario retail supply market with overlapping broker and direct-sales channels.
• Shell Energy Canada: Competitive electricity and natural gas retailer serving commercial and industrial customers across Canada, including Ontario. Comparable to AEC in targeting C&I customers with structured commodity products and energy management services.
• Direct Energy: One of the largest competitive natural gas and electricity retailers in Ontario, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Directly competes with AEC for medium-to-large volume commercial and industrial buyers with similar fixed-price and indexed commodity products.

Broad incumbents

• Federated Co-operatives Limited: Western Canada's largest co-operative, operating a retail energy business (including fuel and home heating) serving member co-ops across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and BC. Closest structural analogue to AEC's member-owned model, but at much larger scale and in a different geography.
• Enbridge Gas: Ontario's primary natural gas Local Distribution Company, which also operates as a competitive retailer and is AEC's upstream infrastructure partner. Enbridge sets the regulated delivery rates AEC's customers pay on top of commodity, and competes head-to-head in the retail supply market with greater scale and brand recognition.
• Constellation Energy: Large North American competitive electricity and natural gas supplier with a significant commercial and industrial book. Comparable to AEC on the C&I energy procurement and risk-management side, though at vastly greater scale and with a U.S.-centric footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AgEnergyCoop
• Facebookfacebook.com/AgEnergyCooperative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ag-energy-co-operative-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ag Energy Co-operative