Corpus Christi Electricity Rates and Plans (December 2024)

Corpus Christi electricity rates average around 16.05 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) but range from 13.7 cents up to 18.7 cents depending on your energy plan, which you can choose thanks to Texas’s deregulated electricity market. The cheapest electricity plan in Corpus Christi is the PTC 3 Month plan from Payless Power, with a rate of 13.7 cents per kWh. The cheapest electricity rate in Corpus Christi that includes 100% renewable energy is the Free Nights 36 plan from Chariot Energy, at a rate of 14.6 cents per kWh.

The table below includes the 20 cheapest electricity plans in Corpus Christi that provide exclusively clean energy. Since we prioritize environmental friendliness at EcoWatch, we strongly recommend you choose one of these plans with 100% renewable energy.

*Rates will vary based on your TDU. 

How To Choose the Best Electricity Plan in Corpus Christi

When searching for the best electricity rates in Corpus Christi, keep in mind that rates and the average cost of electricity can vary based on numerous factors, so you may be given a different electric rate than that of your neighbors. Here are a few things to consider:

Types of Electricity Plans

When choosing an energy provider in Corpus Christi, you’ll be presented with a few plan options. Here’s an overview of the types of electric plans offered in Corpus Christi, as well as their pros and cons, so you can pick which plan works best for you.

Fixed-Rate vs Variable-Rate Plans

All electricity plans fall into one of two categories in Corpus Christi: fixed-rate and variable-rate plans. Fixed-rate plans — which can be either a single rate you always pay per kWh or a time-of-use (TOU) plan with fixed rates that you pay based on the time of day — always have predetermined rates, so you’ll always know exactly what rate you’ll pay for power for the length of your contract. Some plans, like TOU plans, have varying rates throughout the day, but the rate structure is still set in your contract.

Variable-rate plans don’t have predetermined rates. You get a rate to start your contract, but the price per kWh changes based on the market price of electricity. If this price goes down, so does your rate, meaning you could stand to save money over a fixed-rate plan. But if the market price goes up, your rate can also spike.

Fixed-rate plans are the safest option, and even if they end up costing you a little more in some cases, the peace of mind that you’ll always know your energy rate is worth it for many customers in Corpus Christi. In the recent past in your area, a fixed rate would actually have saved you money, as the market price for electricity is currently around 17.76 cents per kWh — about a cent higher than the average fixed-rate plan cost.

Green Energy Plans

Green energy plans guarantee that a certain percentage of the power you pull from the grid comes from renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar. These plans are outstanding because they let you support the clean energy movement and reduce your carbon footprint without any up-front cost, such as installing solar panels.

Green energy plans in Corpus Christi fall under a few tiers based on the percentage of your power that comes from clean sources:

• 0% to 25% renewable energy
• 26% to 50% renewable energy
• 51% to 75% renewable energy
• 76% to 99% renewable energy
• 100% renewable energy

Of course, the 100% renewable energy plans are the most beneficial for the environment, although they do tend to have slightly higher rates than plans that don’t include clean energy.

Check out this quick video on how green energy plans work to bring you clean power in addition to savings:

Your Energy Usage

Your electricity usage is an important consideration when choosing an energy plan in Corpus Christi. Of course, the more electricity you use in a month, the higher your utility bills will be because you’re charged on a per-kWh basis regardless of the plan you choose. However, there are other factors related to usage that can affect your price of electricity.

First, you should look at your average monthly consumption, which you can find on your most recent electric bill. All retail electricity providers (REPs) in Corpus Christi have three tiers for pricing:

• Homeowners who use an average of 500 kWh per month see the highest rates
• Homeowners who use an average of 1,000 kWh per month see rates in the middle — this is the most common tier, as the average consumption in Corpus Christi is around 1,172 kWh per month
• Homeowners who use an average of 2,000 kWh or more see the lowest rates

For example, the cheapest electricity plan that uses 100% renewable energy in Corpus Christi charges 13.8 cents, 14.6 cents and 16.0 cents per kWh for accounts that use 2,000, 1,000 and 500 kWh, respectively.

I also suggest looking at when you use most of your electricity, as you might be able to save money by choosing a TOU plan that aligns with your consumption habits. For example, if you typically only do cooking and laundry late at night and charge an EV overnight, a TOU plan with a low nighttime rate might end up saving you quite a bit.

Contract Length

Contract length is an important consideration when choosing an electricity plan in Corpus Christi because it tells you how long you’ll be locked into your plan and rate. Contracts in Corpus Christi typically last 12, 24 or 36 months, but some companies offer terms less than 12 months and at odd intervals between these standard options. For example, Payless Power has a three-month contract available in the area.

Your rate per kWh will usually change as your contract length extends or shortens, but how it changes depends on the REP you choose. Some REPs charge higher rates for longer contracts because they’re locking themselves into a particular rate and could lose money if the price of electricity rises during the contract term. Others charge higher prices for shorter contracts because they’re not guaranteed your business for as long.

Once you find an REP you think will work for you, I recommend looking at all its available plan options, including the different contract terms. Longer contracts are a bit riskier because you could end up losing money if the market price drops within that term, but they could also save you money over time if the market price goes up.

Electricity Facts Label

When shopping for an energy provider, always look for an Electricity Facts Label (EFL). Similar to a nutrition label you see on packaged foods, an EFL will give you all the information about a company’s electricity prices, contract lengths and terms, sources of generation, and emission levels. Here’s an example of what that’ll look like:

Watchouts

When you’re choosing an electricity plan, make sure you understand your rate, including if and how it can change. Fixed-rate plans (including TOU plans) will have predetermined prices, so you’ll never have to wonder how much your electricity rate will be. A variable-rate plan is subject to spikes and drops in prices.

Beyond the basic terms, I suggest you be on the lookout for scams related to the deregulated energy market. Some Corpus Christi residents have reported fake REP representatives going door to door asking for personal information or payment in exchange for lower rates or energy efficiency equipment. To be safe, never deal directly with door-to-door salespeople, and always call your utility company directly to confirm that a rep at your home is legitimate.

Another scam involves a demand for payment, usually over the phone, to avoid a shutoff. These are usually high-pressure calls, but do your best to separate yourself from the call and check your account online to confirm payment status. Again, never provide your information over the phone, and always resort to using your secure online account.

Understanding Deregulated Energy in Corpus Christi

Texas deregulated its energy market with legislation passed in 1999, and since then, electricity customers in Corpus Christi have been able to choose their retail electricity provider.

There are three main components to the energy market, only one of which is deregulated:

• Power production facilities: These are the companies that produce electricity, either by managing solar or wind farms or by burning fossil fuels to generate power. These companies are still regulated in Corpus Christi, so you can’t choose which you buy power from.
• Transmission and distribution utilities (TDUs): TDUs, commonly referred to as utilities, distribute electricity. They either act additionally as the production company or buy power from a different production company. TDUs own and maintain the distribution network, including the power lines that run to each home. In Corpus Christi, most homeowners are serviced by AEP Texas Central.
• Retail electricity providers (REPs): REPs are the sector in which you have a choice and can potentially save some money. These companies buy power at wholesale rates from TDUs and then sell it to customers. They package and create electricity plans and handle marketing, sales, payment collection and customer service. REPs compete with each other in Corpus Christi, so you can compare and pick one that works for your particular needs and budget.

There’s some debate as to whether or not energy deregulation serves to lower electricity prices, but in many cases, it seems clear that it does. Competition tends to drive prices down, so it’s largely been a positive thing for Corpus Christi residents.

Read Also: What Are the Best Energy Rates in Texas?

What’s the Difference Between Utility Companies and Electricity Provider Companies in Corpus Christi?

Utility companies deliver power to your home, while electricity providers package and sell electricity. REPs really act as intermediaries between the TDUs and customers, but since they purchase power at wholesale rates, they can often provide below-average prices for power.

TDUs are responsible for maintaining the distribution system, including responding to power outages, and REPs are responsible for handling payments, offering deals and providing customer service.

You can buy power directly from your TDU, but in many cases it’s more expensive than buying from an REP since you can’t buy the electricity at a wholesale rate. If you don’t choose an REP in Corpus Christi, you’ll default to direct TDU service on a month-to-month basis and with a variable rate.

Corpus Christi Electricity Rate Trends

Editor’s note: Information for the above table comes from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

Electricity prices across the country have been on the rise, and Corpus Christi residents haven’t been immune. Over the past decade alone, electricity costs in Corpus Christi have gone up by nearly 36%.

The most significant spike was between 2022 and 2023, with an electricity price increase of over 31% year-over-year. That spike is attributed to Russia invading Ukraine, which caused natural gas prices to soar. Since electricity in Texas is partially reliant on natural gas, power prices followed.

On the other hand, prices fell by around 15% between 2019 and 2020. This dip may have been a result of COVID. More homeowners spent time at home and used electricity around the clock. Some may have hit that higher consumption tier of 2,000 kWh per month, which yields lower rates. Additionally, when consumption increases overall, the cost per kWh often dips because the fixed operating costs of power production plants don’t increase despite the bump in revenue.

Choosing an Electricity Plan When Moving to Corpus Christi

If you’re moving to Corpus Christi from out of state, it’s important that you choose an REP and an energy plan to avoid what are usually higher costs from AEP Texas Central, your new TDU. In the following section, we’ll walk through a detailed list of steps on how to search for, compare and enroll in a new electricity plan in Corpus Christi. I recommend considering a few key things and preparing for the enrollment beforehand.

First, I suggest choosing an REP based largely on customer reviews. Since you’re likely unfamiliar with the REPs in Texas, choosing a company with a high rating is a good way to ease into your new home without having to worry about poor customer service from your electric company. I also suggest going with a plan with a 12-month contract. That will keep you from having to restart the process in just a few months, and it also won’t lock you into a multiyear contract, which you might regret if you accidentally choose a company you don’t end up liking.

You should also contact your REP about a week before you move in, as most will take three to five business days to activate a new account. You can look for same-day electric service, but you’ll usually pay a premium for that expedited service.

Switching Electricity Plans in Corpus Christi

If you already live in Corpus Christi and are just switching REPs, you’ll follow the steps outlined in the following section to search for, compare and enroll in a plan, with some specific things you’ll want to consider.

First, since you know when you tend to consume electricity, given the local climate and your habits, you might want to consider a TOY plan. If you can find a plan with a low cost per kWh during the times you use the bulk of your energy, you could save quite a lot of money.

Second, since you’re a bit more familiar with REPs in the area, you can think about longer contracts to score below-average electricity rates for longer periods. This is a bit riskier for new residents since they don’t know about the different REPs and how they operate, but once you find one you like, you can search for plans from that provider and then lock in a long-term rate.

Finally, consider your current plan, when it ends and the early cancellation fee you have. Some REPs will offer to pay your early cancellation fee when you sign up for service with them, so check for that perk first to save some money.

If you already have service in Corpus Christi, you don’t need to sign up a week in advance. Switching REPs can happen remotely without any lapse in service.

How to Choose Electricity Plans in Corpus Christi

Switching to a new electricity plan in Corpus Christi is simple and should only take you a few minutes. You can use the detailed guide below to help find and choose the best plan for your specific needs.
Just follow the steps below to find the best provider and electricity rate for you:

1. Scroll to the top of this page and enter your zip code.
2. Choose whether you’re switching providers or if you just moved to Corpust Christi and need new service. If you’re getting new service, then you don’t need to worry about paying a cancellation fee for your current provider. If you’re currently enrolled in a contract with a different provider, you should contact them or check your contract for information on cancellation fees.
   Some providers don’t charge an early cancellation fee, and others charge $200 or more. In the next step, if you choose to have a live advisor help you, they can do the necessary research for you and potentially even help you reduce the cancellation fee.
3. You have three options to choose from. Advisor Plus+ is a paid service, but a live representative will help you choose the best plan for your needs. This is beneficial, as the cheapest plan isn’t always the best. The advisor will consider fixed and variable-rate plans, go over when you tend to use electricity to get the best time-of-use rates, check your bill to see how much electricity you use per month to secure the best prices and more.
   EnergyBot Advisor is a free service, and a plan is chosen for you based on criteria that you enter. This option delivers a less customized selection, but it should still meet the needs of most customers.
   Standard View is also a free service, but it requires the most work on your part, as you’ll need to look at the plan options and choose one manually. You’ll see the contract term, rate, discounts, renewable energy percentage and more for each plan available in your area.
4. If you chose one of the first two options in the previous step, you’ll get on-screen prompts to help you make the switch from your current provider to the new one selected for you. If you chose the Standard View prompt, you’ll get a list of providers with plan rates and terms, and you can simply click on Select Plan to move forward.
5. Finally, you’ll be prompted with a button that will take you to the provider’s site. You’ll also be told what plan to look for once you’re there to sign up and lock in your new rate.