The Public Utility Commission of Ohio, in a May 19, 2025 series of social media and news posts, is encouraging Ohio residents to seek alternatives for their power supply.
In their Instagram post, PUCO stated, in part:
Starting June 1, new rates will take effect for customers not participating in a government aggregation or enrolled with a competitive supplier. These new rates reflect the current market price of energy…
The PUCO recommended that consumers either (1) choose a supplier, using the price to compare listed on their bill to compare rates or (2) contact the utility to see if budget billing, payment plans or other assistance programs can help.
Why are Ohio Electric Rates Increasing?
We first alerted our followers about this coming rate change in February.
Ohio has what’s called a capacity market. Essentially, as part of the PJM Market, all consumers pay to ensure that electricity generation will be available when it’s needed.
The most recent capacity auction resulted in an increase of over 800% prior auction results. When that capacity cost is applied to residential bills, rates were estimated to increase by around 20%.
The final results of the calculation, however, show prices will increase more than that. The June 1 rate increases reflect both capacity charge increases and the results of the utilities’ latest supply auctions.
How Much are Ohio Electric Utility Rates Increasing?
This chart from the PUCO summarizes the rate increases consumers will pay if they remain with their local utility. Utility rate increases range from 10% in AES Ohio to as high as 36% in AEP Ohio.
How to Avoid Utility Price Increases in Ohio
To avoid paying the 10-36% increase in utility rates, you can shop for a competitive supplier offer. The Electricity Plans marketplace shows the current utility price to compare versus supplier electricity rates.
Simply enter your zip code below to see current alternative supplier rates vs. utility rates.
