The browser you are using is not supported. Please consider using a modern browser.
A Guide to Compare Delaware Electricity Rates
Key Takeaways
- Most Delaware residents and businesses served by Delmarva Power or the Delaware Electric Cooperative can switch to a competitive electricity supplier. However, those served by municipal utilities (like Dover or Newark) generally cannot switch and must receive power through their local utility.
- Delaware electricity rates are near the national average, with a residential rate of approximately 18.81 cents per kilowatt-hour as of November 2025 as of November 2025. Because the state imports most of its energy and relies heavily on natural gas, local rates are highly sensitive to regional market conditions and fuel prices.
- Consumers can choose from three main types of plans: Fixed-rate (stable, predictable pricing), Variable-rate (prices fluctuate with the market), or Renewable (power backed by green energy credits).
- Switching suppliers only affects the "supply" portion of the bill; the local utility continues to handle delivery, maintenance, and repairs. Finding a better rate involves identifying your "Price to Compare" on your current bill and using a marketplace to compare Delaware electric rates and select a vetted provider.
Table of Contents
Compare Delaware Electricity Rates
Average Delaware Electricity Costs
Delaware consumes almost 100 times more energy than it produces, so the state depends heavily on energy imports. As of November 2025, the average residential electricity price in Deleware stands at 18.81 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The average Delaware homeowner uses 911 kWh of electricity per month, making your electric bill roughly $150.87/month for supply + delivery (before taxes/fees).
How Does Delaware Compare Nationally?
-
18.81¢ Average Rate per/kWh (as of November 2025) 17th Highest Nationally -
911 kWh Average Usage per/mo 24th Highest Nationally -
$150.87 Average Cost per/mo 14th Highest Nationally
Delaware Energy Choice Basics
Most Delaware households and businesses in Delmarva Power’s service territory (and, in some cases, Delaware Electric Cooperative) in New Castle County and parts of Kent and Sussex can use retail energy choice to select a competitive electricity supplier.
By contrast, customers served by municipal utilities generally cannot shop among competitive suppliers in the same way and instead receive power through their local utility’s wholesale purchases. Because Delmarva’s service areas are patchy around municipal and cooperative territories, it’s best to confirm your eligibility by entering your zip code in our search bar to see if your area has Energy Choice.
Energy Choice means you can choose who supplies your electricity, while your local utility still delivers it (the poles, wires, and outage repairs stay the same). Switching suppliers doesn’t require new equipment. When you switch energy providers, your new energy provider handles all of the paperwork and contacts your utility company to ensure your power continues to stay on throughout the process.
Types of Delaware Electricity Rates
Delaware electricity plans generally look like the same “big three” you’ll see across most deregulated markets:
Fixed-rate plans: You lock in one supply rate for the contract term. This is popular because it helps keep your bill predictable.
Variable-rate plans: Your price can change month to month based on the wholesale energy market. Great for flexibility.
Renewable plans: Some plans match your usage with renewable energy credits and can be labeled as 100% renewable.
Make The Switch In Minutes
Break Up With Your Electricity Provider
Shop Delaware electricity rates from leading providers and save on your electricity bill.
Need help? Speak with an energy expert at (888) 491-8586.
Reading Your Delaware Electricity Bill
In Energy Choice areas, your bill usually has two main parts:
Supply charges
Supply charges (or energy charges) are the charges from your electricity provider for the electricity used in the previous billing cycle. By default, your utility sets the supply charge based on market rates and conditions. If you participate in Energy Choice and receive your electricity supply from a retail electricity provider, your electricity contract determines the supply rate that you pay for the length of the contract.
Delivery charges
Delivery Charges are fees assessed by your utility company to maintain the poles, wires, and lines that deliver electricity and to address outages, leaks, and other issues related to this equipment. These charges are usually fixed and remain the same every month.
Want a deeper walkthrough? Use our guide on how to read electric bills (and what the charges actually mean).
Delaware Utility Providers (and where Energy Choice works)
Here’s the key: Energy Choice depends on your local utility. Delaware has a mix of investor-owned, cooperative, and municipal utilities.
1) Delmarva Power territory (Energy Choice area)
If you’re a Delmarva Power electric customer, you can shop for a competitive supplier while Delmarva continues to deliver the electricity. Delaware’s Public Service Commission explains how shopping works and where restructuring applies.
Delaware green energy twist: Delaware’s Green Energy Program began in 1999 and (for Delmarva customers) includes a $0.000356/kWh bill charge that funds renewable energy grants. Over time, that program has supported 4,300+ renewable projects and awarded $55+ million for renewable projects since 1999.
2) Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) territory (Energy Choice area)
If you’re served by the Delaware Electric Cooperative, you also have a structured marketplace context for supply decisions. DEC created its own green energy program (called the “Renewable Resource Program”) using a similar collection method to fund renewable efforts.
3) Municipal utilities (generally NOT Energy Choice)
Delaware has municipal utilities represented by DEMEC (Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation), which includes cities like Clayton, Dover, Lewes, Middletown, Milford, Newark, New Castle, Seaford, and Smyrna (and it’s a joint action agency created in the late 1970s).
DEMEC supplies power to many municipal members through a portfolio that may include renewables, contracts, and PJM participation.
Bottom line: If you’re in a municipal utility area, you may not have retail supplier choice the same way, but you can still lower costs by watching usage, improving efficiency, and exploring local programs.
Delaware Business and Commercial Electricity Rates
Running a business in Delaware? Your power bill isn’t just a bill—it’s a line item that can eat profit like a seagull stealing fries at Rehoboth.
ElectricityRates.com helps businesses compare options, request quotes, and pursue better pricing through vetted suppliers and advisors. If you want a more strategic approach (and less guessing), start with our business electricity guide.
Ready to shop for Delaware electricity rates? If you’re in an Energy Choice area (Delmarva Power or Delaware Electric Cooperative territory), the fastest way to save is simple: compare your current supply rate to competitive fixed-rate plans and switch if the math is in your favor. Because your power bill shouldn’t act like a surprise party you never asked for.
Constellation
- Provider Score™ 4.83 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, DC, GA, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Constellation is the nation's leading provider of carbon-free energy with a commitment to be 100% carbon-free by 2040. They serve over 2.5 million residential and business customers across the United States.
Clearview Energy
- Provider Score™ 4.48 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas DC, IL, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI
Provider Bio
Serving 8 states and the District of Columbia, Clearview Energy offers competitive energy plans and world-class customer service while supporting sustainability efforts, like the Shaw Institute and the Scripps Polar Center. Because we care about our customers - today and for generations to come.
Inspire Clean Energy
- Provider Score™ 4.39 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas DC, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA
Provider Bio
Inspire Clean Energy is on a mission to transform the way people access clean energy in order to combat climate change and accelerate a net-zero carbon future.
Direct Energy
- Provider Score™ 4.59 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, DC, IL, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Serving nearly 4 million residential customers, Direct Energy is one of the largest electricity, natural gas and home services providers in North America. They are also one of the largest commercial and industrial electricity with over 240,000 business electricity customers.
Energy Harbor
- Provider Score™ 4.39 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas IL, MD, OH, PA
Provider Bio
Energy Harbor is a retail energy provider specializing in providing clean, carbon-free energy for residents and businesses. They’re headquartered in Akron, Ohio and serve nearly one-million customers across Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Safety, reliability and sustainability are outlined as Energy Harbor’s core values.
Green Mountain Energy
- Provider Score™ 4.31 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Green Mountain Energy is the oldest renewable retail electricity provider. Since its founding in 1997, Green Mountain Energy has expanded into seven electricity markets, with its customers avoiding nearly 100 billion pounds of carbon emissions through its renewable energy plans and services.
Discount Power
- Provider Score™ 3.29 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas TX
Provider Bio
Discount Power is an electricity provider based in Houston, TX with a solid selection of fixed-rate plans and great customer reviews.
SmartEnergy
- Provider Score™ 3.43 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas DC, IL, MA, MD, NH, NJ, OH, PA, RI
Provider Bio
SmartEnergy is proud to offer 100% green energy. It's their mission to prove that helping the environment doesn’t have to come at the expense of your wallet. They promise social responsibility while providing uncompromisable service to their customers.
Spark Energy
- Provider Score™ 3.98 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, IL, MA, NJ, NY, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Spark Energy was found in 1999 in Houston, Texas and was an early pioneer in the retail energy market. Spark Energy prides itself on 3 specialties that set them apart from the rest: energy savings knowledge, customer service and community support.
Delaware Electricity Rate FAQ's
-
Many residents look for suppliers that beat the “Price to Compare” offered by utilities like Delmarva Power. Recent top-ranked providers for competitive rates include Constellation Energy, Rushmore Energy, and NRG (specifically for renewable plans).
-
Delaware relies heavily on energy coming from outside the state, and much of its generation is tied to natural gas, so market conditions can flow through to supply prices. In addition, recent wholesale price increases from regional power grid auctions (PJM) and Delmarva Power’s filing for a significant base rate increase (approx. 16–23%) to fund infrastructure improvements have triggered many consumer inquiries has heavily influenced rates.
-
Since Delaware is deregulated, users often ask about the mechanics of switching. The process is generally seamless: you sign up with a new supplier, and they coordinate with your existing utility (who still maintains the wires and handles outages).
-
Delaware bills are split into two parts. Supply is the cost of the actual energy (which you can shop for), and Delivery is the cost to move that energy to your home (charged by your local utility, like Delmarva or Delaware Electric Cooperative).
-
Electric vehicle (EV) owners frequently search for Time-of-Use (TOU) rates. For instance, some plans offer rates as low as 14.81¢/kWh during off-peak hours (4 AM – 12 PM) compared to over 27¢/kWh during peak windows.