Penelec Energy Choice Shopping Increases

The Penelec electricity service territory is seeing an increase in shopping activity as consumers in the area have become better educated on the process and benefits of Pennsylvania energy choice. Competition has forced electricity prices down below the utility default rate which has given customers the ability to substantially lower their Penelec electric bills. Though the number of shopping participants has increased in the area, the majority of consumers are still unaware that they even have the ability to choose their electricity company.

Since 2010 Pennsylvania has been a model state in running a successful electricity choice market with dozens of energy companies establishing offices to solicit over 5.4 million residential homes receiving power. Initially the majority of the marketing focus from these competitive electricity companies has been towards the state’s larger electric utility areas, mainly PECO Energy and the PPL service territory. After competitive electricity companies saw the success in power shopping activity in the larger service areas a push to solicit customers in Penelec and other Pennsylvania service areas was enacted.

Thanks to lower Penelec electricity rates offered by alternative companies compared to the official default “Price to Compare” rate, 36% of the residential customer class is Penelec is now purchasing their electricity supply from a competitive supplier. This switch rate is actually higher than the current 32% PECO Energy residential switch rate, but more than 25% lower than the PP&L switch rate. As more Penelec residential customers become aware of the benefits of Pennsylvania electricity choice, mainly lower electricity bills, it is expected that the number of Penelec shoppers will rapidly increase.

Penelec, who encourages their customers to shop for lower rates, makes it easy for residential consumers to compare competitive rates to their default rate. Penelec posts their current price to compare rate on their parent company First Energy site. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission requires all competitive electricity offers to contain all components of Penelec price to compare rate, allowing consumers to compare rates side by side and eliminating the potential of hidden fees.

Below is a list of current, and updated daily, prices offered by electricity companies to customers in the Penelec service area.