What is Penelec's current Price to Compare?

Penelec's current residential Price to Compare is 11.423 cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh). This rate took effect June 1, 2026, and represents a 4.0% increase from the previous quarter's rate of 10.985¢/kWh.

Why does Penelec's PTC change every quarter?

Penelec's Price to Compare changes quarterly because the utility procures electricity through periodic auctions. These auctions reflect current wholesale electricity costs, capacity market results, and regulatory requirements. When wholesale costs rise — due to higher natural gas prices, tighter capacity markets, or plant retirements — the PTC rises to cover those costs. The PA PUC reviews and approves all rate changes.

Is Penelec's PTC the cheapest option in their territory?

Usually not. Penelec's PTC is the default rate for customers who haven't chosen a competitive supplier. Licensed competitive suppliers often offer rates below the PTC. As of June 2026, several suppliers in Penelec territory offer fixed rates in the 9-10¢/kWh range — 1-2¢ below the current PTC. Shopping and comparing rates can save $100-$200 annually at typical usage levels.

Will switching from Penelec change my utility service?

No. Switching suppliers only changes who generates your electricity. Penelec remains your utility for all delivery and service purposes. They still own the poles and wires, respond to outages, read your meter, and send your bill. The only difference is a line item on your bill showing your supplier's generation charge instead of Penelec's default PTC rate. There is no service interruption during the switch.

How does Penelec calculate the Price to Compare?

Penelec's PTC reflects the actual cost of procuring electricity for default service customers. The utility runs competitive auctions to buy wholesale electricity, then passes those costs directly to customers without markup. The PTC includes generation costs, transmission charges, gross receipts tax, and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard compliance costs. The PA PUC oversees this process and must approve all PTC changes.

Penelec Price to Compare

Current rate + quarterly history

By John Spencer • Updated June 2026

Penelec's Price to Compare (PTC) is the default supply rate for customers who haven't chosen a competitive electricity supplier. It's also the benchmark for shopping — any supplier rate below the PTC saves you money.

Current Price to Compare

11.423¢/kWh

Effective June 1, 2026

4.0% from last quarter

Next change: September 1, 2026

Previous PTC (March-May 2026): 10.985¢/kWh

How Penelec sets its Price to Compare

Pennsylvania Electric Companydoesn't set the PTC arbitrarily. The rate reflects actual costs of procuring electricity for default service customers through a process overseen by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

Penelec runs competitive auctions to buy wholesale electricity. These auctions secure supply from generators at market prices. The utility then passes these costs directly to customers — no markup, no profit on the supply side.

The PTC includes generation costs, transmission charges, Pennsylvania's gross receipts tax, and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard compliance. When wholesale electricity prices rise — as they have with recent capacity market increases — the PTC rises accordingly.

Rate changes occur quarterly: typically June 1, September 1, December 1, and March 1. The PA PUC publishes upcoming rates approximately two weeks before they take effect.

Penelec PTC history

Residential Price to Compare rates over the past two years

Period	Rate (¢/kWh)
June 2026(Current)	11.423¢
December 2025	10.985¢
June 2025	10.32¢
December 2024	9.78¢
June 2024	9.45¢
December 2023	9.62¢

Source: PA PUC rate filings. Rates shown are residential class averages.

How Penelec PTC compares to competitive suppliers

The current Penelec PTC of 11.423¢/kWh is the rate for customers who haven't shopped. But competitive suppliers often offer lower rates.

As of June 2026, several PUC-licensed suppliers in Penelecterritory are offering fixed rates in the 9-10¢/kWh range — 1.5-2.5¢ below the current PTC.

Savings math

At typical Penelec household usage of approximately 850 kWh/month:

Penelec default (11.423¢): $98.36/month supply

Competitive rate (9.5¢): $80.75/month supply

Monthly savings: $17.61

Annual savings: $211

Higher-usage households save more. A household using 1,200 kWh/month during summer AC season would save approximately $25/month, or $300/year.

How to switch from Penelec PTC to a competitive supplier

Find your Penelec account number

Look at the top of your Penelecbill. Your account number is typically 10 digits. You'll need this to complete enrollment with any supplier.

Compare available rates

Use PA Power Switch (the state's official tool) or Volt Butler to compare supplier rates. Look for fixed rates below the current 11.423¢ PTC.

Enroll online

Select your plan and complete enrollment on the supplier's website. You'll enter your Penelec account number to authorize the switch.

Wait 1-2 billing cycles

The switch processes automatically through Penelec. No phone calls required, no service interruption. Your new rate appears on your bill once the switch completes.

How Penelecfits into FirstEnergy's PA structure

Pennsylvania Electric Company is one of four Pennsylvania electric distribution utilities owned by FirstEnergy Corp. Despite sharing a parent company, each FirstEnergy PA utility sets its Price to Compare independently based on its own procurement, service territory, and PUC filings.

The four FirstEnergy Pennsylvania utilities are:

Met-Ed (Metropolitan Edison) — Eastern PA, including Reading and Harrisburg areas
Penelec (Pennsylvania Electric) — North-central and western PA, including Erie, Johnstown, and Altoona
Penn Power (Pennsylvania Power) — Western PA border region, including New Castle and Sharon
West Penn Power — Southwestern PA, including Pittsburgh suburbs west of Duquesne territory

Each utility operates within its defined geographic service territory. Customers in Penelec territory cannot switch to a different utility —Penelec delivers your electricity regardless of which competitive supplier you choose. What you can choose is who supplies (generates) that electricity.

See PTC rates for the other FirstEnergy PA utilities:

Met-Ed PTC Penn Power PTC West Penn Power PTC

Frequently asked questions about Penelec PTC

What is Penelec's current Price to Compare?: Penelec's current residential Price to Compare is 11.423 cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh). This rate took effect June 1, 2026, and represents a 4.0% increase from the previous quarter's rate of 10.985¢/kWh.
Why does Penelec's PTC change every quarter?: Penelec's Price to Compare changes quarterly because the utility procures electricity through periodic auctions. These auctions reflect current wholesale electricity costs, capacity market results, and regulatory requirements. When wholesale costs rise, the PTC rises accordingly. The PA PUC reviews and approves all rate changes.
Is Penelec's PTC the cheapest option in their territory?: Usually not. Penelec's PTC is the default rate for customers who haven't chosen a competitive supplier. Licensed competitive suppliers often offer rates below the PTC. As of June 2026, several suppliers in Penelec territory offer fixed rates in the 9-10¢/kWh range — 1-2¢ below the current PTC.
Will switching from Penelec change my utility service?: No. Switching suppliers only changes who generates your electricity. Penelec remains your utility for all delivery and service purposes. They still own the poles and wires, respond to outages, read your meter, and send your bill. There is no service interruption during the switch.
How does Penelec calculate the Price to Compare?: Penelec's PTC reflects the actual cost of procuring electricity for default service customers. The utility runs competitive auctions to buy wholesale electricity, then passes those costs directly to customers without markup. The PTC includes generation costs, transmission charges, gross receipts tax, and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard compliance costs.

PTC rates for other PA utilities

PECO PPL Electric Duquesne Light Met-Ed Penn Power West Penn Power

Find rates below the Penelec PTC

Current PTC: 11.423¢/kWh. Many suppliers offer lower rates.

Free comparison • PUC-licensed suppliers only • No paid placements