Side by side (AZ, EIA-861)
| Metric | UNS Electric, Inc | Trico Electric Cooperative Inc |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 16.02 | 14.17 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 13.64 | 14.22 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,730 | $1,530 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 95,191 | 52,450 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Co-op |
| Counties served in AZ | 2 | 3 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: UNS Electric, Inc · Trico Electric Cooperative Inc · Arizona overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Santa Cruz county (AZ, 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; UNS Electric, Inc and Trico Electric Cooperative Inc do not compete for the same meters. Arizona is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (azcc.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is UNS Electric, Inc cheaper than Trico Electric Cooperative Inc?
- No — in 2024 UNS Electric, Inc customers averaged 16.02 cents/kWh versus 14.17 for Trico Electric Cooperative Inc (EIA-861). Trico Electric Cooperative Inc was cheaper by 1.85 cents, about $200 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from UNS Electric, Inc to Trico Electric Cooperative Inc?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Arizona has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
- Why is UNS Electric, Inc more expensive than Trico Electric Cooperative Inc?
- 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 UNS Electric and Trico Electric Cooperative territory all feed the 1.85-cent gap.