Is Direct Energy a licensed Texas electricity supplier?

Yes. Direct Energy is licensed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas under license number N/A.

Which Texas utilities can I use Direct Energy with?

Direct Energy serves customers across Texas's major utility territories.

Will my utility change if I sign up with Direct Energy?

No. Your distribution utility continues to deliver your electricity. Direct Energy supplies the generation portion only.

Are Direct Energy's rates competitive in Texas?

Direct Energy is a reputable, established provider but typically not the cheapest. Its lowest fixed rate is about 14.60¢/kWh versus roughly 11.70¢/kWh for the cheapest Texas fixed plan.

PUCT-licensed electricity supplier

Direct Energy plans & rates in Texas

From 14.60¢/kWh fixed18 active TX plans• Rates verified Jun 12, 2026

Direct Energy is a subsidiary of NRG and a PUCT-licensed electricity supplier serving residential customers throughout Texas. This is an independent comparison, not Direct Energy's official site.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links. Learn more

Reviewed by John Spencer

Updated June 2026 • PUCT License: N/A

See Direct Energy's plans at your address

EIA-cited dataPUCT-sourced150 TX suppliersUpdated June 2026Independent comparison

Our honest take

Is Direct Energy a good choice in Texas?

Direct Energy is one of Texas's largest and most established retail electricity providers (part of NRG), with reliable service and a broad range of plans across every major TX utility territory. The honest catch: it's usually not the cheapest.

Direct Energy's cheapest clean fixed rate is 14.60¢/kWh, while the lowest fixed rate available in the same Texas territories runs about 11.70¢/kWh. You're paying a premium for the brand — fine if service and name recognition matter most to you, but you can often find a lower rate.

Already a Direct Energy customer looking for login, bill pay, or support? Visit directenergy.com. This page is an independent comparison for shoppers.

Volt Butler verdict

Proceed with caution

3.6/5

Cheapest fixed: 14.60¢/kWh
Active TX plans: 18
Bill-credit plans: None
Parent: NRG

Direct Energypros & cons

Pros

One of the largest, most-established retail energy brands (NRG)
Clean, gimmick-free fixed plans — no bill-credit fine print
Dependable service and account tools
Broad utility coverage across deregulated markets

Cons

Its cheapest clean fixed rate typically runs above the market's lowest
A modest premium for the brand
Not the value pick for price-first shoppers

Direct Energy reviews: what people say

Our editorial read of the consensus — not customer quotes or a rating we can't source.

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest and longest-running retail energy brands — an NRG company with broad reach across deregulated markets, dependable service, and clean, gimmick-free plan structures (no bill-credit fine print). Its rates typically aren't the cheapest in a given market — you'll usually find a lower headline number elsewhere — but you're getting a well-established operator with straightforward pricing. A solid, reliable choice that's honest about what it charges; just not the value leader.

Consistently praised for

Large, established, reliable operator
Clean fixed plans with no bill-credit gimmicks
Broad coverage and solid service and tools

Common complaints

Rates typically above the cheapest available
A premium for the brand

What is Direct Energy best for?

Where Direct Energy genuinely stands out — based on the plans it actually offers.

A clean, no-gimmick plan from a major brand

Direct Energy's plans are straight fixed rates with no bill-credit fine print, from one of the most established names in the business — reliability over rock-bottom price.

Locking a straightforward fixed rate

If you want a simple, predictable fixed rate from a big operator and don't mind paying a little above the floor, it fits.

Direct Energy in Texas

N/A

PUCT License

NRG

Parent company

Retail Electric Provider (REP)

Service type

About Direct Energy in Texas

Direct Energy is a Public Utility Commission of Texas-licensed Retail Electric Provider (REP) serving residential and commercial customers throughout the state. Founded 1986 in Toronto, the company has grown to serve 4+ million across North America.

Acquired by NRG Energy in January 2021, Direct Energy now operates in 50 US states, DC, and 8 Canadian provinces as an NRG subsidiary.

Direct Energy at a glance

Founded: 1986 in Toronto
Parent company: NRG
Current HQ: Houston, TX (NRG HQ)
Customers: 4+ million across North America
Company type: Retail Electric Provider (REP)
Website: directenergy.com

As a competitive retail supplier, Direct Energy competes with other licensed suppliers to provide the generation portion of your electricity bill. Your local utility continues to handle delivery, maintenance, and outage response regardless of which supplier you choose.

Visit directenergy.com to learn more about their current plans and offers.

Direct Energy electricity plans in Texas

Direct Energy currently offers 18 residential electricity plans across TX utility territories. Rates range from 14.60¢ to 18.50¢/kWh.

Plan Name	Rate	Term	Type	Utility	Action
Autopay Texas 12	14.60¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric	View
Autopay Texas 24	14.80¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric	View
Autopay Texas 12	14.90¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	AEP Texas Central	View
Autopay Texas 36	15.10¢/kWh	36 mo	Fixed	CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric	View
Autopay Texas 24	15.40¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	AEP Texas Central	View
Autopay Texas 12	15.40¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	Oncor Electric Delivery	View
Autopay Texas 36	15.60¢/kWh	36 mo	Fixed	AEP Texas Central	View
Autopay Texas 24	15.90¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	Oncor Electric Delivery	View
Autopay Texas 36	16.10¢/kWh	36 mo	Fixed	Oncor Electric Delivery	View
Autopay Texas 12	16.90¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	AEP Texas North	View
Autopay Texas 12	17.20¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	Texas-New Mexico Power	View
Autopay Texas 24	17.40¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	AEP Texas North	View
Autopay Texas 12	17.50¢/kWh	12 mo	Fixed	Lubbock Power & Light	View
Autopay Texas 24	17.50¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	Texas-New Mexico Power	View
Autopay Texas 36	17.60¢/kWh	36 mo	Fixed	AEP Texas North	View
Autopay Texas 36	17.80¢/kWh	36 mo	Fixed	Texas-New Mexico Power	View
Autopay Texas 24	17.90¢/kWh	24 mo	Fixed	Lubbock Power & Light	View
Autopay Texas 36	18.50¢/kWh	36 mo	Fixed	Lubbock Power & Light	View

Note: Some fixed-rate plans include early termination fees. Check plan details before enrolling.

Rates last verified Jun 12, 2026. Actual rates may vary by utility territory. Enter your ZIP code for personalized rates.

Direct Energy estimated bill by usage

Estimated monthly supply cost using Direct Energy's lowest available rate (14.60¢/kWh). Find your typical kWh usage on your utility bill.

Light

$73/mo

500 kWh/month

Apartment, 1-2 people

Average

$146/mo

1000 kWh/month

Small home, 2-3 people

Medium

$219/mo

1500 kWh/month

Mid-size home, 3-4 people

High

$292/mo

2000 kWh/month

Large home, 4+ people

Supply cost only. Your total bill also includes delivery charges from your utility, which vary by territory.

How Direct Energy compares to other TX suppliers

Texas has 150+ PUCT-licensed residential suppliers. Here's how Direct Energy fits in the landscape:

Reliant Energy

30 plansFrom 14.60¢

Green Mountain Energy

How to enroll with Direct Energy in TX

Compare rates

Visit directenergy.com or use our ZIP submit to see what plans are currently offered for your area.

Compare the rate

Texas has no utility default rate — you pick a retail provider from day one. Compare Direct Energy's rate against the cheapest plan in your territory before you enroll.

Enroll directly

Direct Energy also enrolls customers through Power to Choose and licensed brokers.

Frequently asked questions

Is Direct Energy a licensed TX electricity supplier?: Yes. Direct Energy is licensed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas under license number N/A.
Which TX utilities can I use Direct Energy with?: Direct Energy serves customers across Texas's major utility territories.
Will my utility change if I sign up with Direct Energy?: No. Your distribution utility continues to deliver your electricity. Direct Energy supplies the generation portion only. You'll see both charges on your utility bill.
Is Direct Energy a good electricity company?: Direct Energy is a large, established, reputable TXprovider with reliable service — our verdict is "Proceed with caution." The main trade-off is price: it's usually not the cheapest, so compare its rate against lower-cost plans before signing up.
Are Direct Energy's rates competitive?: Not the lowest. Direct Energy's cheapest fixed rate is about 14.60¢/kWh, versus roughly 11.70¢/kWh for the cheapest Texas fixed plan. You pay a premium for the brand.
How do I switch to Direct Energy?: Enter your ZIP to see Direct Energy's current plans for your address, pick one, and enroll. Your TXdelivery utility stays the same and your power isn't interrupted — only the supplier on your bill changes, typically by your next meter read.