Communities served by FortisAlberta have a chance to win some cash for their Earth Hour efforts next month.

Natasha Russell, Corporate Communications Advisor, says the whole event is meant just to get people thinking about going without electricity for one hour.

"Earth Hour is a global event and it takes place every year in March and the goal really is to encourage people and businesses to turn off unnecessary lights, appliance and electronic devices with the goal of helping to conserve power, but mainly to raise awareness around environmental issues," she says.

FortisAlberta is offering grants of $5000, $2500 and $1500 to the municipalities that save the most power Saturday March 25 between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Russell says it's not just municipalities that can claim a victory.

"We want to encourage residents as well to follow us on our social media channels and while participating in Earth Hour, sharing a photo or what they'll be doing or what they are doing during Earth Hour for a chance to win some great energy efficiency prizes," Russell says. "The grand prize winner will win something, I'd say it's a bit more special, and along with two dozen dimmable LED lights they can use at home.

Last year 25 communities entered the FortisAlberta Earth Hour Challenge, each coming up with their own unique ways to cut down on their energy use.

The deadline for submissions is March 13, 2017.