TransAlta (TAC) said Wednesday it entered into an automatic share purchase plan with its broker to facilitate share repurchases under its previously announced normal course issuer bid.

The company said the plan, effective April 1, allows its broker to purchase common shares at its discretion, based on pre-set parameters, until the end of the buyback program.

The plan will terminate upon the earliest of reaching the purchase limits, May 8, or if the company decides to terminate it.