Is Delmarva Power cheaper than Delaware Electric Cooperative?

No — in 2024 Delmarva Power customers averaged 17.23 cents/kWh versus 14.22 for Delaware Electric Cooperative (EIA-861). Delaware Electric Cooperative was cheaper by 3.01 cents, about $325 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Delmarva Power to Delaware Electric Cooperative?

No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Delaware does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at depsc.delaware.gov if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.

Why is Delmarva Power more expensive than Delaware Electric Cooperative?

EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Delmarva Power and Delaware Electric Cooperative territory all feed the 3.01-cent gap.

Delmarva Power vs Delaware Electric Cooperative: Which Is Cheaper? (Delaware, 2024)

Delaware Electric Cooperative customers paid less: an average 14.22¢/kWh in 2024 versus 17.23¢/kWh at Delmarva Power (EIA-861) — a gap of 3.01¢/kWh, worth about $325 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 2 DE counties (Kent, Sussex). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address, though in Delaware both utilities' customers can shop the supply portion of the bill.

Side by side (DE, EIA-861)

Delmarva Power vs Delaware Electric Cooperative — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Delmarva Power	Delaware Electric Cooperative
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	17.23	14.22
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	15.73	14.96
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,861	$1,536
Residential customers (2024)	275,018	104,839
Ownership	Investor-owned	Co-op
Counties served in DE	3	2

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Delmarva Power · Delaware Electric Cooperative · Delaware overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Kent · Sussex counties (DE, 2024).

Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.

Can you actually choose between them?

No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Delmarva Power and Delaware Electric Cooperative do not compete for the same meters. Delaware does have retail supply choice: customers of either utility may buy the supply portion from a licensed third-party supplier, or stay on the utility's default supply rate. An offer only saves money if it beats your utility's price to compare (printed on the bill); compare offers at depsc.delaware.gov. The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Delmarva Power cheaper than Delaware Electric Cooperative?: No — in 2024 Delmarva Power customers averaged 17.23 cents/kWh versus 14.22 for Delaware Electric Cooperative (EIA-861). Delaware Electric Cooperative was cheaper by 3.01 cents, about $325 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Delmarva Power to Delaware Electric Cooperative?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Delaware does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at depsc.delaware.gov if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.
Why is Delmarva Power more expensive than Delaware Electric Cooperative?: EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Delmarva Power and Delaware Electric Cooperative territory all feed the 3.01-cent gap.

About these numbers. Rates shown are averages computed from federal regulatory filings (EIA Form 861) and public tariff databases — confirm with your utility before making decisions; your actual rate depends on your tariff, usage, and riders. Distribution utility is determined by address and generally cannot be chosen; in retail-choice states you may choose your supplier for the supply portion of the bill. Savings figures use 10,800 kWh/yr (US average residential usage) and are estimates, not quotes. EnergySavings is an independent data project by CertiHomes and is not affiliated with any utility, supplier, or government agency.