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About 85% of Texas has a deregulated energy market, giving customers the power to choose their energy provider. In this deregulated market, utility companies differ from providers (which sell you energy) in that they are electric delivery companies that oversee the local infrastructure. Unlike providers, you cannot select your utility company, as it is determined by location.
Texas has five main utility companies: AEP Texas Central, AEP Texas North, CenterPoint Energy, Oncor Electric Delivery, and Texas-New Mexico Power.
Texas utility companies deliver power to your home or business, monitor and maintain electrical infrastructure, and respond to power outages and other electrical emergencies.
Understanding which Texas utility company serves your area is important for a couple of reasons. First, if you’re experiencing a power outage, you’ll need to report it to your utility. And second, your electric bill will include transmission and delivery charges from your utility, so it’s helpful to know which company is setting those fees.
Some Texas cities have several utilities servicing the area. If your city has more than one utility company, you need to confirm which one is yours before browsing energy plans and rates on Choose Texas Power’s marketplace. You can find out who your utility company is by checking your electricity bill.
Regardless of which energy company you purchase electricity from, your utility charges fees for delivering your energy. Also known as Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) charges, these fees consist of two parts: a base charge and a usage charge. They’re set by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and vary by utility company.
Currently, Texas utility base fees range from $3.21 to $7.85 per month, while usage charges range from 5.1 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 5.7 cents per kWh. However, these fees generally change twice a year, in March and September, to account for fluctuations in energy demand.
There are five main energy utility companies in Texas. Explore this list to learn more about your utility company.
If you’re new to Texas, navigating a deregulated energy market can be overwhelming. While you can’t choose your utility company, you have many options for your electricity provider, which can get confusing. That’s where the Choose Texas Power marketplace comes in handy: You can browse providers in your area using your ZIP code, compare rates, and sign up for a new plan all in one place. Our marketplace is free to use and backed by energy experts to help you find the right power plan for your needs.
No, you cannot choose your utility company in Texas. Since utility companies oversee a specific area, they are assigned by location.
Texas has five main utility companies: Oncor Electric Delivery, CenterPoint Energy, Texas-New Mexico Power, AEP Texas Central, and AEP Texas North.
Energy providers sell electricity plans and send your monthly energy bill. Texas utility companies transport electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. In other deregulated states, these terms are often used interchangeably, but in Texas, they have distinct roles. Texans can select their retail energy provider, but not their utility company.
Your utility company is responsible for restoring power after an outage and repairing any local electrical equipment, such as poles and wires. Locate your utility company on this page, report an outage online, or call the number listed.
Yes, you have to select an energy provider in Texas. Unlike other deregulated states, you cannot purchase electricity from your local utility company.
