Penn Power's Price to Compare is 12.606 cents per kilowatt-hour through May 31, 2026. On June 1, it rises 6.9% to 13.477 cents.
Competitive suppliers are currently offering fixed-rate plans starting at 11.29 cents per kWh — saving more than 1.3 cents on every kilowatt-hour. This guide covers what the Price to Compare means, why Penn Power rates have climbed 30% since mid-2024, and how customers in western Pennsylvania can lock in a lower rate before summer bills peak.
What is the Price to Compare
Penn Power, a FirstEnergy subsidiary, serves customers in western Pennsylvania, primarily in Lawrence County around New Castle and surrounding communities. If you've never chosen a competitive electricity supplier, you're paying Penn Power's default supply rate — the Price to Compare (PTC).
The PTC covers the cost of generating electricity and transmitting it across high-voltage lines, plus Pennsylvania's gross receipts tax and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards compliance. It does not include distribution charges, which Penn Power collects regardless of your supplier.
Here's why this number matters: the PTC is your benchmark for shopping. If a competitive supplier offers 11.29 cents per kWh and the PTC is 12.606 cents, you save more than 1.3 cents on every kilowatt-hour. At average usage, that's $120 or more per year.
For a deeper breakdown of how this benchmark works across Pennsylvania utilities, see our guide to understanding Price to Compare.
Current rate and the June 2026 increase
Penn Power's residential Price to Compare has climbed steadily since mid-2024. The rate sat around 10.4 cents through summer 2024 before PJM capacity cost increases started hitting customer bills.
| Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| June 2024 | 10.39¢ |
| December 2024 | 11.168¢ |
| June 2025 | 11.858¢ |
| December 2025 | 12.606¢ |
| June 2026 | 13.477¢ |
The December 2025 rate of 12.606 cents per kWh represents a 6.3% increase over June 2025. The June 2026 rate of 13.477 cents adds another 6.9% on top.
Penn Power Price to Compare, June 2024 through June 2026. Source: FirstEnergy published rate filings.
Penn Power, like all FirstEnergy utilities in Pennsylvania, updates the Price to Compare quarterly: March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. Each update reflects wholesale market conditions from the prior period. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission published the official June 1, 2026 rate updates on May 20.
At average Penn Power usage of roughly 860 kWh per month, the supply charge alone exceeds $115 at the June rate. Combined with distribution charges and other fees, total bills run closer to $180. During summer months with heavy air conditioning use, bills can exceed $260.
Why Penn Power rates keep rising
The 2024 PJM capacity auction increased prices by 833%. That is not a typo.
PJM Interconnection manages the power grid across Pennsylvania and 12 neighboring states, serving 65 million people. Every year, PJM runs a capacity auction to ensure enough power plants exist to meet peak demand. The auction sets a price that generators receive for being available, and utilities like Penn Power pass these capacity costs directly to customers.
In the 2024 auction, capacity prices jumped from $28.92 per megawatt-day to $269.92. The June 2026 auction pushed prices even higher, to $329.17 per megawatt-day — a 22% increase over 2024.
PJM capacity auction clearing prices. The 2024 auction increased prices by 833%. Source: PJM Interconnection.
Three factors drove the spike:
- Coal plant retirements. Older generation facilities are shutting down faster than new ones come online. The grid has less buffer capacity than it did five years ago.
- Data center growth. Electricity-hungry facilities across the region have increased peak demand forecasts. Northern Virginia and surrounding areas host some of the world's largest data center clusters, all drawing from PJM.
- Electrification trends. EV adoption and heat pump installations add load that the grid must accommodate. These technologies shift demand patterns in ways that require more standby generation.
FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania utilities are phasing in these capacity costs across multiple billing periods: June 2025, December 2025, June 2026, and December 2026. Each quarter brings another slice of the bill.
Governor Josh Shapiro filed a complaint with federal regulators, arguing the auction process is flawed and results in higher prices without guaranteeing reliability. His administration reached an agreement with PJM to cap future capacity prices, projected to save Pennsylvania ratepayers $4 billion through 2028. But that relief applies to future auctions. The June 2026 rate is already locked in.
For more on how deregulation shapes these market dynamics, see our Pennsylvania electricity deregulation guide.
How to beat the Price to Compare
Switching suppliers takes about five minutes and costs nothing. Your service continues without interruption.
Know your benchmark
The current PTC is 12.606 cents per kWh. After June 1, it becomes 13.477 cents. Any fixed-rate plan below these numbers saves money.
Current plans that beat the PTC
Several suppliers are offering rates below Penn Power's default as of late May 2026:
| Plan | Rate | Term |
|---|---|---|
| American Power & Gas Fixed | 11.29¢/kWh | 3 months |
| Major Energy Fixed | 11.59¢/kWh | 3 months |
| Spark Energy Fixed | 11.85¢/kWh | 4 months |
Rates vary by ZIP code and change frequently. Check current availability for your address before making a decision.
Savings math
At 860 kWh per month (typical Penn Power household usage):
- Penn Power default (12.606¢): $108.41 supply cost
- American Power & Gas (11.29¢): $97.09 supply cost
- Monthly savings: $11.32
- Annual savings: $136
Higher-usage households save more. If you run central air conditioning heavily in summer, your usage might hit 1,200 kWh or higher, pushing annual savings above $190.
How to switch
- Visit PA Power Switch (the state's official comparison tool) or a licensed comparison site
- Enter your ZIP code to see available suppliers
- Compare rates against the current Price to Compare
- Enroll online with your Penn Power account number (found on your bill)
- Wait one to two billing cycles for the switch to complete
No phone calls to Penn Power are required. The switch happens automatically once you enroll with your new supplier.
What does not change
Switching suppliers only changes who supplies your electricity. Penn Power still:
- Delivers power to your home
- Handles all outage repairs
- Sends your monthly bill
- Maintains the poles and wires
There is no service interruption during the switch. Your lights stay on. If the power goes out during a storm, you call Penn Power, not your supplier.
For step-by-step instructions, see our guide to switching suppliers in Pennsylvania. To understand whether a fixed or variable rate makes sense for your situation, see our fixed vs. variable rate comparison.
You can also view all current plans in your area on our Penn Power utility page.
At more than 1.3 cents per kWh below the current PTC, the savings compound every month you stay locked in. The rate goes up June 1 whether you act or not.
FAQ
What happens if I switch suppliers and there's an outage?
Penn Power handles all outages regardless of your electricity supplier. Your supplier only provides the generation portion of your bill. Penn Power owns the poles, wires, and transformers, and dispatches repair crews when something goes wrong.
Is there a fee to switch suppliers?
No. Switching is free. The process takes one to two billing cycles to complete. Early termination fees may apply if you leave a fixed-rate contract early, so check your plan terms before canceling.
Should I choose a fixed or variable rate?
Fixed rates protect against the quarterly increases we've seen. Variable rates can be cheaper during mild months but carry risk during summer peaks when wholesale prices spike. For most Penn Power customers, fixed rates offer more predictable bills and better protection against continued rate increases.
When does the next Penn Power rate change happen?
June 1, 2026. The new Price to Compare of 13.477 cents per kWh will remain in effect through August 31, 2026. Penn Power updates quarterly, so the next change comes September 1, 2026.