Retail Aggregation Program (RAP) Explained: How Smaller Sites Can Access Open Access

What is retail aggregation?

Retail aggregation is an ERC-approved mechanism under RCOA that allows multiple business sites to pool their electricity demand to collectively meet the open access threshold. This is designed for businesses that operate several locations — franchise networks, retail chains, property management companies, and business groups — where individual sites may fall below 100kW but the combined demand across all locations qualifies.

How RAP works

Under the Retail Aggregation Program, all participating sites must be within the same distribution utility franchise area. A single Retail Electricity Supplier manages the aggregated account, coordinating metering, billing, and supply across all locations. Each site gets its own metering and consumption data, but the supply contract covers the aggregated group. The combined demand of all sites must meet the 100kW minimum threshold.

Who benefits from aggregation

RAP is particularly valuable for franchise owners with multiple branches in the same city or region, retail chains operating several stores under one DU, property managers overseeing commercial or mixed-use developments, business groups with separate legal entities but shared geographic footprint, and educational institutions with multiple campuses. Any business operating multiple locations where individual site demand is under 100kW but combined demand exceeds it should explore aggregation.

How to start the aggregation process

The first step is identifying all eligible sites within the same DU franchise area and calculating their combined demand. Contact a licensed Retail Electricity Supplier who can assess the aggregation opportunity, determine the combined demand profile, and prepare the necessary documentation. The RES coordinates with the DU and RMSP for metering across all sites, and manages the aggregated supply contract on behalf of the group.