How Southwestern Electric Power compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs Southwestern Electric Power, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panola-Harrison Elec Coop, Inc | 9.41 | 9,394 | -2.62 | -$282 |
| South Plains Electric Coop Inc | 10.35 | 56,173 | -1.68 | -$181 |
| Trinity Valley Elec Coop Inc | 11.26 | 79,954 | -0.77 | -$83 |
| Farmers Electric Coop, Inc | 11.51 | 84,006 | -0.51 | -$55 |
| Southwestern Electric Power Co (this page) | 12.03 | 156,271 | — | — |
| Upshur Rural Elec Coop Corp | 12.40 | 44,415 | +0.37 | +$40 |
| Bowie-Cass Electric Coop, Inc | 12.56 | 34,526 | +0.54 | +$58 |
| Wood County Electric Coop, Inc | 12.83 | 35,793 | +0.80 | +$87 |
| Rusk County Electric Coop, Inc | 12.89 | 18,152 | +0.87 | +$94 |
| Deep East Texas Elec Coop Inc | 13.10 | 40,404 | +1.08 | +$116 |
| Southwestern Public Service Co | 13.35 | 222,146 | +1.33 | +$143 |
| Lamar County Elec Coop Assn | 13.71 | 12,935 | +1.69 | +$183 |
12 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with Southwestern Electric Power. Showing the 11 cheapest. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than Southwestern Electric Power customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, while the supply portion is separately shoppable in Texas (see below).
Where Southwestern Electric Power customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | Southwestern Electric Power premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison | Panola-Harrison Elec Coop, Inc | 9.41 | +$282 |
| Panola | Panola-Harrison Elec Coop, Inc | 9.41 | +$282 |
| Wheeler | North Plains Electric Coop Inc | 10.15 | +$203 |
| Childress | South Plains Electric Coop Inc | 10.35 | +$181 |
| Hall | South Plains Electric Coop Inc | 10.35 | +$181 |
| Van Zandt | Trinity Valley Elec Coop Inc | 11.26 | +$83 |
| Franklin | Farmers Electric Coop, Inc | 11.51 | +$55 |
| Hopkins | Farmers Electric Coop, Inc | 11.51 | +$55 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies. In Texas you can shop the supply portion regardless of county. Showing the 8 highest-premium counties of 25 served.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 11.92 | 12.03 | +0.9% |
| Residential customers | 155,326 | 156,271 | +0.6% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Statewide context: Texas electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a Southwestern Electric Power bill
Texas has residential electric supply choice: Southwestern Electric Power delivers the power and bills a default supply rate, but you may buy the supply portion from a licensed competitor instead. Compare offers against the price to compare on the state's official shopping site: powertochoose.org.
Electric choice in ERCOT competitive TDU areas (~85% of load; munis/co-ops exempt; Power to Choose lists offers). No residential gas choice.
Counties served (TX, EIA-861 2024)
Bowie · Camp · Cass · Childress · Collingsworth · Donley · Franklin · Gray · Gregg · Hall · Harrison · Hopkins · Marion · Morris · Panola · Rains · Red River · Rusk · Shelby · Smith · Titus · Upshur · Van Zandt · Wheeler · Wood
Head-to-head comparisons
- Southwestern Public Service Co vs Southwestern Electric Power Co
- Southwestern Electric Power Co vs Farmers Electric Coop, Inc
- Southwestern Electric Power Co vs Trinity Valley Elec Coop Inc
- Southwestern Electric Power Co vs South Plains Electric Coop Inc
Questions people ask
- Is Southwestern Electric Power Co more expensive than other Texas utilities?
- Southwestern Electric Power Co customers paid an average 12.03 cents/kWh in 2024 — 20% below the Texas volume-weighted average of 14.96 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Southwestern Electric Power Co?
- You cannot switch the wires company — distribution territory is fixed by address. Texas does allow supply choice, so you can buy the supply portion of the bill from a licensed competitor via powertochoose.org if its offer beats the price to compare.
- How many customers does Southwestern Electric Power Co have?
- 156,271 residential customers in Texas in 2024 across 25 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.