Is Ohio Power Co cheaper than Cleveland Electric Illum Co?

No — in 2024 Ohio Power Co customers averaged 19.33 cents/kWh versus 16.76 for Cleveland Electric Illum Co (EIA-861). Cleveland Electric Illum Co was cheaper by 2.57 cents, about $278 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Ohio Power Co to Cleveland Electric Illum Co?

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

Why is Ohio Power Co more expensive than Cleveland Electric Illum Co?

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 Ohio Power and Cleveland Electric Illum territory all feed the 2.57-cent gap.

Ohio Power Co vs Cleveland Electric Illum Co: Which Is Cheaper? (Ohio, 2024)

Cleveland Electric Illum Co customers paid less: an average 16.76¢/kWh in 2024 versus 19.33¢/kWh at Ohio Power Co (EIA-861) — a gap of 2.57¢/kWh, worth about $278 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 1 OH county (Summit). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address, though in Ohio both utilities' customers can shop the supply portion of the bill.

Side by side (OH, EIA-861)

Ohio Power Co vs Cleveland Electric Illum Co — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Ohio Power Co	Cleveland Electric Illum Co
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	19.33	16.76
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	18.63	14.40
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$2,088	$1,810
Residential customers (2024)	550,768	131,370
Ownership	Investor-owned	Investor-owned
Counties served in OH	54	9

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

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Summit county (OH, 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; Ohio Power Co and Cleveland Electric Illum Co do not compete for the same meters. Ohio 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 energychoice.ohio.gov. The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Ohio Power Co cheaper than Cleveland Electric Illum Co?: No — in 2024 Ohio Power Co customers averaged 19.33 cents/kWh versus 16.76 for Cleveland Electric Illum Co (EIA-861). Cleveland Electric Illum Co was cheaper by 2.57 cents, about $278 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Ohio Power Co to Cleveland Electric Illum Co?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Ohio does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at energychoice.ohio.gov if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.
Why is Ohio Power Co more expensive than Cleveland Electric Illum Co?: 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 Ohio Power and Cleveland Electric Illum territory all feed the 2.57-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.