2026 Energy Market Calendar: Key Enrollment Deadlines You Can’t Miss

Why Timing Matters in Energy Markets

Missing an enrollment deadline doesn’t just delay your participation. It can cost you an entire year of revenue. Capacity auctions happen on fixed schedules, often years in advance. If you’re not enrolled when the window closes, you’re locked out until the next cycle.

This guide covers every major deadline across the five North American markets we serve. Bookmark it, share it with your team, and reach out if you have questions about qualifying for any program.

Related reading: If you’re new to capacity markets, start with our Capacity Markets Explained guide. For demand response basics, see What Is Demand Response?.

Quick Reference: 2026 Key Deadlines

IESO (Ontario)

Ontario offers some of the most attractive demand response opportunities in North America, combining capacity payments with Global Adjustment savings through the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI).

For official IESO market information, visit the IESO Capacity Auction page.

2026 Capacity Auction

• Auction Dates: Late November 2026 (typically the last week of November. Exact dates TBD by IESO)
• Delivery Period: 2027 commitment period
• Registration: Open through fall 2026
• Minimum Size: 1 MW (aggregation available)

What you need to know: The IESO Capacity Auction is an annual event where participants bid to provide capacity. The 2025 auction (Nov 26-27, 2025) cleared at $170,000/MW-year CAD. That’s a 188% increase from the prior year, signaling strong demand for capacity resources.

Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI)

• Peak Season: May 1 through September 30, 2026
• Enrollment Deadline: April 1, 2026 (Class A election)
• Peak Prediction: Rodan provides 95%+ accurate peak predictions

What you need to know: ICI allows large consumers (Class A) to reduce their Global Adjustment costs by avoiding consumption during Ontario’s top 5 demand hours. Savings can reach $50-80/kW-year. Sometimes more than capacity auction revenue.

Hourly Demand Response (HDR)

• Enrollment: Ongoing, year-round
• Response Time: 5 minutes
• Revenue: Market price-based

What you need to know: HDR offers real-time energy market participation. Combined with capacity auction and ICI, Ontario facilities can access three revenue streams simultaneously.

Check your Ontario eligibility → | Learn more about IESO →

PJM (13 States + DC)

PJM is North America’s largest wholesale electricity market and offers the most liquid demand response opportunities. The capacity market runs on a 3-year forward schedule, meaning 2026 activities determine 2029 earnings.

For official auction schedules and results, see PJM’s RPM Auction Information.

2028/29 Base Residual Auction (BRA)

• Auction Date: June 2026
• Delivery Period: June 2028 – May 2029
• Pre-Auction Activities: Underway now

What you need to know: PJM is returning to a more normal auction schedule after several years of delays. The 2027/28 BRA (December 2025) cleared at the FERC-approved cap of $269.92/MW-day, continuing the trend of strong capacity prices. Read our PJM 2027/2028 Capacity Auction analysis for context.

2029/30 Base Residual Auction (BRA)

• Auction Date: December 2026
• Delivery Period: June 2029 – May 2030
• Status: Planning phase

What you need to know: PJM is targeting a return to its normal May auction schedule starting with the 2030/31 BRA in May 2027.

2026/27 Third Incremental Auction

• Auction Date: February 2026
• Purpose: Adjust capacity positions from prior BRA

What you need to know: If you missed the BRA, incremental auctions offer a second chance to secure capacity commitments, often at different price points than the base auction.

Economic Load Response

• Enrollment: Ongoing
• Markets: Day-ahead and real-time energy
• Minimum Size: 100 kW

What you need to know: Economic DR provides additional revenue on top of capacity payments. When LMP prices spike during extreme weather, participants earn premium payments for reducing load.

Synchronized Reserves & Regulation

• Enrollment: Ongoing
• Response Time: 10 minutes (sync reserves), seconds (regulation)
• Minimum Size: 500 kW for regulation

What you need to know: Ancillary services offer the highest per-MW-hour payments but require faster response and more sophisticated controls. Learn about Grid Services for technical requirements.

Check your PJM eligibility → | Learn more about PJM →

NYISO (New York)

New York offers premium capacity value, especially in constrained zones like NYC (Zone J) and Long Island (Zone K). Monthly auction structures mean ongoing enrollment opportunities.

For official market information, visit the NYISO Installed Capacity Market.

Summer Capability Period

• Period: May 1 – October 31, 2026
• Enrollment Deadline: April 1, 2026
• Premium Zones: J (NYC) and K (Long Island) at 2-3x upstate prices

What you need to know: Summer is when NYC capacity commands the highest prices. Missing the April 1 deadline means waiting until winter capability period, and potentially leaving significant money on the table.

Monthly ICAP Spot Auctions

• Frequency: Every month
• Enrollment: Rolling

What you need to know: Unlike forward capacity markets, NYISO’s monthly auctions allow ongoing participation. This is ideal for facilities that want to test demand response before making multi-year commitments.

Strip Auctions

• Frequency: Quarterly
• Next Auction: Q2 2026
• Commitment: Multi-month forward capacity

What you need to know: Strip auctions lock in prices for 3-6 month periods. In volatile markets, this can provide revenue certainty.

Special Case Resources (SCR)

• Response Time: 2-4 hours notice
• Commitment: Seasonal (summer or winter)
• Revenue: $5-15/kW-month in premium zones

What you need to know: SCR is NYISO’s primary demand response capacity product. NYC-located resources can earn the highest rates in North America.

Check your NYISO eligibility → | Learn more about NYISO →

MISO (15 Midwest States)

MISO’s annual Planning Resource Auction determines capacity value for the coming planning year. The auction follows a consistent schedule: offer windows open in late March, and results post in late April.

For official market information, visit MISO’s Resource Adequacy page.

2026/27 Planning Resource Auction (PRA)

• Offer Window: March 26-31, 2026 (opens 8 AM EPT, closes 6 PM EPT)
• Results Posted: April 28, 2026
• Delivery Period: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027

What you need to know: MISO uses a single annual auction rather than PJM’s multi-year forward approach. The offer window is brief, just the last few business days of March, so preparation must happen earlier.

2025/26 Planning Year (Current)

• Period: June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026
• Status: Active commitment period

What you need to know: If you’re already enrolled for 2025/26, focus on performance and positioning for 2026/27. The March 2026 auction is your next opportunity to add capacity.

Demand Response Resources (DRR)

• Enrollment: Ongoing
• Markets: Energy and ancillary services
• Response Time: 5-10 minutes

What you need to know: DRR provides economic dispatch opportunities beyond capacity. Combined with Load Modifying Resource (LMR) status, facilities can optimize across multiple revenue streams.

Zonal Pricing Considerations

• High-Value Zones: Northern MISO (Minnesota, Wisconsin) typically sees higher capacity prices
• Zone Analysis: Critical for multi-site operations

What you need to know: MISO’s 15-state footprint means significant zonal price variation. Your participation strategy should account for where your facilities are located. See our Manufacturing industry page for Midwest-specific considerations.

Check your MISO eligibility → | Learn more about MISO →

AESO (Alberta)

Alberta operates an energy-only market without formal capacity auctions. Value comes from operating reserves and strategic load reduction during high-price periods.

For official market information, visit the AESO website.

Winter Peak Season

• Period: November 2026 – February 2027
• Enrollment Deadline: Before November for full winter participation
• Peak Value: Highest pool prices and reserve payments

What you need to know: Alberta winters drive extreme pool prices, sometimes $999+/MWh. Facilities enrolled before winter capture the full value; those who wait miss the peak earning season.

Operating Reserve Enrollment

• Enrollment: Ongoing
• Products: Spinning, supplemental, regulating reserves
• Response Time: 10 minutes
• Minimum Size: 5 MW direct (smaller through aggregation)

What you need to know: Operating reserves provide the most consistent revenue in AESO. Unlike capacity payments, reserve revenue is earned for each hour you’re dispatched.

Energy Rebalancing

• Enrollment: Always available
• Response: Real-time to pool price signals
• Automation: Available through MarketIQ platform

What you need to know: Energy rebalancing doesn’t require formal program enrollment. If you can respond to price signals, you can participate. Our platform automates this for maximum value capture.

Market Evolution

• Note: Alberta previously explored a capacity market but suspended those plans
• Current: Energy-only market with reserve products
• Future: Watch for potential market design changes

What you need to know: AESO’s market structure may evolve. We track regulatory developments and adjust strategies accordingly. For oil & gas-specific guidance, see our Oil & Gas industry page.

Check your AESO eligibility → | Learn more about AESO →

How to Prepare: Your Enrollment Checklist

Regardless of market, here’s what you need to get started:

1. Interval Data (12-24 months)

• 15-minute or hourly consumption data from your utility
• Used to establish baseline and calculate curtailment potential

2. Facility Information

• Peak demand (kW)
• Operating schedule
• Seasonal variations
• Critical loads that can’t be interrupted

3. Control Capability

• Building management system access
• Industrial control system integration
• Manual curtailment procedures

4. Decision Authority

• Internal approval for program participation
• Contract signature authority

Want to estimate your potential? Try our ROI Calculator for a quick assessment.

Why Work With Rodan?

Navigating five markets, dozens of programs, and constantly changing rules is complex. Here’s what we handle:

• Market Registration: All paperwork, compliance filings, and utility coordination
• Baseline Measurement: Proper baseline establishment for accurate performance measurement through our Metering services
• Dispatch Management: 24/7 operations center handling all event notifications and coordination
• Performance Optimization: Strategies to maximize earnings while protecting operations
• Settlement & Reporting: Transparent monthly statements showing exactly what you earned

We’ve been doing this for 20+ years. Our clients don’t miss deadlines, don’t face surprise penalties, and don’t leave money on the table. Learn more about our approach.

Next Steps

Don’t wait for deadlines to approach. The best time to start is now:

1. Contact us for a free eligibility assessment
2. We’ll analyze your facility and identify which programs offer the best ROI
3. We handle all enrollment while you focus on your business
4. Start earning revenue from your flexible load

Questions about a specific market or program? Reach out. We’re here to help.

This guide is updated regularly as market rules and auction schedules change. Last updated: January 2026.