CALGARY, ALBERTA-(Marketwire - Aug. 29, 2011) - TransAlta Corporation (TSX:TA) (NYSE:TAC) today announced it will be hosting its fifth Alberta fixed-price wholesale power auction on Thursday, September 29, 2011. For Alberta wholesale power buyers seeking competitive prices for their long-term electricity needs, power auctions offer an efficient means to secure an affordable and reliable supply.

TransAlta has been holding Alberta power auctions since 2009 attracting a variety of participants including Canadian wholesale banks, industrials and trading companies. At the upcoming September 29th auction, TransAlta will be selling a two-year strip of Alberta power (2012 – 2013).

The auction will be facilitated by World Energy Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: XWES), an operator of online exchanges for energy and green commodities.

For more details about TransAlta’s wholesale power auction, click here.

TransAlta is a power generation and wholesale marketing company focused on creating long-term shareholder value. TransAlta maintains a low-to-moderate risk profile by operating a highly contracted portfolio of assets in Canada, the United States and Australia. TransAlta’s focus is to efficiently operate our biomass, geothermal, wind, hydro, natural gas and coal facilities in order to provide our customers with a reliable, low-cost source of power. For 100 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud contributor to the communities where we work and live. TransAlta is recognized for its leadership on sustainability by the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index, the FTSE4Good Index and the Jantzi Social Index. TransAlta is Canada’s largest investor-owned renewable energy provider.

For more information, please contact

TransAlta Corporation – Auction inquiries:
Cory St. Croix
Senior Originator
(403) 267-6929
cory_stcroix@transalta.com

or

TransAlta Corporation – Media inquiries:
Glen Whelan
Manager, Public Affairs
(403) 267-7287
glen_whelan@transalta.com

or

TransAlta Corporation – Investor inquiries:
Jess Nieukerk
Director, Investor Relations
1-800-387-3598
investor_relations@transalta.com
www.transalta.com

SOURCE: TransAlta