"Harmony of Energy, and the Future of Our Planet" -- that's the theme of Expo 2017, being pitched for Edmonton.

The city outlined its bid Monday afternoon at city hall.

The world's fair, should the Alberta capital be the successful bidder for the event, would take place at two sites -- South Campus of the University of Alberta, and a redeveloped West Rossdale area.

Playing host to such an event won't be cheap. It will cost $2.3 billion, but those backing the effort believe Expo 2017 can generate $2.6 billion for the Canadian economy, with $2.3 billion of that for Alberta.

It's expected the world's fair would draw an attendance of 5.3 million, putting it on a much smaller scale than previous expositions held in Montreal in 1967, and Vancouver in 1986.

Up to 1.3-million visitors from across Canada would attend, along with another 600,000 people from around the globe.

Edmonton is the only Canadian city vying for Expo 2017, which would come during Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation. Calgary was planning to put forward a bid, but pulled out earlier this fall, leaving Edmonton as the only city putting in a bid to Heritage Canada. (bp,sj,blb)