Electricity Rates in California

Electricity Rates, Plans & Statistics

Electricity Companies & Statistics in California

Population
39,237,836
Total Production
207,486,198 MWh / 5.29 MWh per capita
Total Consumption
252,002,712 MWh / 6.42 MWh per capita
Total Production from Renewable
90,334,056 MWh / 2.3 MWh per capita
CO₂ Emissions from Consumption
61,281,437,936 kg / 1,561.79 kg per capita
Total Production from Non-Renewable
117,526,188 MWh / 3 MWh per capita

Average Residential Electricity Bills & Rates in California

California residential electric rates are highest in January and the highest average bill is in March.

Historical Electricity Rates:

48^th26.43¢Average residential price per kWh in the state of California

36^th$143.38Average residential monthly electricity bill for California Residents

California Electricity Fuel Mix

MonthlyWe report production data as it is published. Due to reporting methods and timing, data from 2022 and 2021 may be incomplete. Data is released in full each fall for the previous calendar year. For clarification on any data points, please contact our team.

AnnualAnnual data for 2021 will be finalized in the fall of 2022. Until that time, some data may be incomplete. Data for 2022 is a summation of all information released to date, which may only represent a portion of the actual production that has occurred. For clarification on any data points, please contact our team.

California's Electricity Prices and Usage

Customers in California are faced with a higher residential electricity rate than many people in the United States, with an average state electric rate of 26.43 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the United States average price of 15.34 cents. California ranks as the 48th lowest priced state in the US by average electricity rate. The state features a deregulated electricity market, where citizens are able to choose from multiple electricity companies out of the over 60 providers that operate in the state. Southern California Edison is the largest electricity provider in the state based on megawatt hours sold. Customers in California experience 0.46 power outages a year with outages lasting an average of 31.17 minutes. The state is the 3rd largest electricity consuming state with consumption totaling over 252,000,000 megawatt hours. The state is ranked 4th highest in the nation in total electricity produced within its borders, with 207,486,198.35 megawatt hours produced.

Residential Electricity Providers in California

Provider	Service Type	Residential Rate (¢)	Residential Average Bill ($)	Residential Sales (MWh)	Residential Revenues ($)	State Production (MWh)
Southern California Edison	BUNDLED	27.27	149.8	20,151,566	5,494,655,000	6,515,163.31
Pacific Gas and Electric Company	BUNDLED	31.17	170.34	11,999,057	3,740,521,000	28,120,465
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power	BUNDLED	22.28	113.62	8,511,551	1,895,953,256	6,780,836
Clean Power Alliance	ENERGY	7.83	48.67	5,286,249	413,863,400
Sacramento Municipal Utility District	BUNDLED	16.80	116.16	4,768,829	800,943,525	3,932,763.25
San Diego Gas and Electric	BUNDLED	38.48	150.6	3,396,784	1,307,172,792	2,522,519.2
Marin Clean Energy	ENERGY	8.65	41.42	2,714,332	234,879,000
East Bay Community Energy	ENERGY	6.86	26.25	2,556,087	175,253,500
Imperial Irrigation District	BUNDLED	15.56	182.2	1,949,853	303,307,000	1,399,009
San Jose Clean Energy	ENERGY	7.70	31.08	1,693,606	130,459,300

Commercial Electricity Providers in California

Provider	Service Type	Commercial Rate (¢)	Commercial Average Bill ($)	Commercial Sales (MWh)	Commercial Revenues ($)	State Production (MWh)
Southern California Edison	BUNDLED	19.96	1,045.8	28,637,013	5,714,638,000	6,515,163.31
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power	BUNDLED	20.47	2,265.77	11,966,862	2,449,023,931	6,780,836
Pacific Gas and Electric Company	BUNDLED	31.69	970.67	7,357,367	2,331,268,000	28,120,465
Clean Power Alliance	ENERGY	7.70	404.09	4,011,726	308,820,300
Sacramento Municipal Utility District	BUNDLED	15.68	687.41	3,694,452	579,290,343	3,932,763.25
San Diego Gas and Electric	BUNDLED	30.43	930.3	2,620,236	797,237,253	2,522,519.2
Marin Clean Energy	ENERGY	8.10	309.72	2,602,033	210,787,800
East Bay Community Energy	ENERGY	6.47	255.82	2,538,607	164,166,300
San Jose Clean Energy	ENERGY	7.27	357.93	1,788,744	130,006,800
Peninsula Clean Energy	ENERGY	5.86	288.98	1,654,897	97,016,100

Power Plants in California

Plant	City/County	Primary Fuel Type	Production (MWh)	Emission (KG)	Emissions/MWh (KG/MWh)	Closing Date
Diablo CanyonPacific Gas and Electric Company (100.00%)	San Luis Obispo County	Nuclear	17,539,962			8/2025
Dynegy Moss Landing Power Plant HybridDynegy Energy Services (100.00%)	Monterey County	Natural Gas	5,238,108	1,978,829,721.4	377.78
Geysers Unit 5-20Calpine (100.00%)	Sonoma County	Geothermal	4,649,345
High Desert Power PlantMRP Generation Holdings, LLC (100.00%)	Victorville	Natural Gas	4,297,556	1,713,535,982.48	398.72
Delta Energy CenterCalpine (100.00%)	Pittsburg	Natural Gas	4,024,718	1,564,215,220.26	388.65
Mountainview Generating StationSouthern California Edison (100.00%)	Redlands	Natural Gas	3,994,094.31	1,649,445,232.96	412.97
AES Huntington Beach Energy ProjectUllico Infrastructure Southland Borrower (35.00%)AES Corporation (65.00%)	Huntington Beach	Natural Gas	3,922,341	1,425,526,408.6	363.44
Elk Hills Power LLCElk Hills Power LLC (31.91%)California Resources Elk Hills LLC (68.09%)	Kern County	Natural Gas	3,722,476	1,281,876,540	344.36
Los Medanos Energy CenterCalpine (100.00%)	Pittsburg	Natural Gas	3,679,630	1,301,805,345.4	353.79
AES Alamitos Energy CenterAES Corporation (65.00%)Ullico Infrastructure Southland Borrower (35.00%)	Long Beach	Natural Gas	3,480,527	1,284,257,925.86	368.98

Quick Facts

California generates 3 megawatt hours of electricity per person in the state from non-renewable electricity sources. They are the 47th highest state in the country for non-renewable production per capita.

During the course of the previous year, the state of California has seen a -31,125,126.81 kilogram (0.07%) decrease in CO2 emissions on account of electricity consumption.

California produces the 45th highest amount of electricity per capita from natural gas, with the fuel source accounting for 0.01 megawatt hours a year per capita.

California ranks 4th highest in hydroelectric power generation, producing 18,166,881.73 megawatt hours a year from hydroelectric facilities.

California generates 90,334,055.52 megawatt hours of electricity from renewable fuel sources. This ranks California 2nd in the country for total renewable electricity generation.

The total population of California has gone down by 0.76% over the previous 12 months.

County	Population	Providers	Plants	Residential Rate (¢)	Residential Avg. Electric Bill
Alameda County	1,673,133	14	26	29.58	$145.96/mo
Alpine County	1,344	14		25.41	$132.80/mo
Amador County	40,095	10	5	31.44	$160.58/mo
Butte County	217,884	12	19	31.43	$160.54/mo
Calaveras County	45,349	10	5	31.44	$160.58/mo
Colusa County	21,780	10	2	31.44	$160.58/mo
Contra Costa County	1,161,643	11	29	31.03	$156.67/mo
Del Norte County	27,655	2		15.14	$136.90/mo
El Dorado County	190,568	15	15	29.41	$149.81/mo
Fresno County	1,003,150	13	76	30.90	$158.15/mo
Glenn County	28,675	10	2	31.44	$160.58/mo
Humboldt County	137,014	12	6	29.76	$148.93/mo
Imperial County	180,051	11	65	16.02	$180.67/mo
Inyo County	18,804	11	16	26.97	$140.01/mo
Kern County	905,644	12	196	29.25	$150.80/mo
Kings County	151,887	12	34	31.15	$159.28/mo
Lake County	67,749	10	2	31.44	$160.58/mo
Lassen County	32,949	11	6	22.97	$138.92/mo
Los Angeles County	10,019,635	21	217	26.88	$139.75/mo
Madera County	156,304	10	17	31.44	$160.58/mo
Marin County	262,387	11	3	30.40	$150.21/mo
Mariposa County	17,225	10	2	31.44	$160.58/mo
Mendocino County	91,534	11	2	31.43	$160.52/mo
Merced County	279,150	12	16	30.13	$157.43/mo
Modoc County	8,723	2		15.14	$136.90/mo
Mono County	13,291	14	8	27.20	$141.58/mo
Monterey County	438,953	12	21	29.84	$145.06/mo
Napa County	138,795	11	5	30.40	$150.21/mo
Nevada County	102,090	15	9	29.97	$153.91/mo
Orange County	3,182,923	13	33	28.90	$141.81/mo
Placer County	400,330	16	21	28.79	$147.34/mo
Plumas County	19,631	10	10	31.44	$160.58/mo
Riverside County	2,409,331	17	97	25.39	$149.15/mo
Sacramento County	1,571,767	11	56	19.05	$122.99/mo
San Benito County	63,329	11	2	29.96	$146.31/mo
San Bernardino County	2,171,071	18	133	26.88	$144.26/mo
San Diego County	3,296,317	11	83	37.03	$150.25/mo
San Francisco County	865,933	12	7	27.06	$155.33/mo
San Joaquin County	771,406	16	23	30.39	$158.89/mo
San Luis Obispo County	282,771	11	11	31.39	$160.14/mo
San Mateo County	762,488	12	7	29.29	$146.91/mo
Santa Barbara County	447,651	14	3	29.03	$142.70/mo
Santa Clara County	1,932,022	15	58	30.77	$156.32/mo
Santa Cruz County	272,138	11	4	29.66	$143.29/mo
Shasta County	181,935	14	38	29.73	$158.10/mo
Sierra County	3,079	14	2	27.22	$141.15/mo
Siskiyou County	44,151	2	6	15.14	$136.90/mo
Solano County	451,432	12	33	31.25	$158.87/mo
Sonoma County	492,498	11	20	31.42	$160.47/mo
Stanislaus County	550,842	12	18	26.11	$153.87/mo
Sutter County	99,080	10	7	31.44	$160.58/mo
Tehama County	65,345	10	5	31.44	$160.58/mo
Trinity County	15,818	1	5	10.20	$108.05/mo
Tulare County	470,999	12	37	28.13	$145.79/mo
Tuolumne County	55,243	12	16	31.04	$158.79/mo
Ventura County	845,255	11	13	27.28	$142.08/mo
Yolo County	216,703	11	10	29.99	$148.79/mo
Yuba County	80,404	10	4	31.44	$160.58/mo

In California, Natural Gas makes up 47.01% of the fuel sources utilized for electricity generation. Solar and Conventional Hydroelectric are also important fuel sources in the state, with 18.89% and 8.76% of total electricity generation being generated from each, respectively. The state is the 5th worst ranked state when it comes to total CO2 pollution, with the state consuming enough electricity to account for 61,281,437,935.54 kilograms of CO2 emissions. More telling of the state's emissions reality is the per resident CO2 totals. Currently that amount stands at 1,561.79 kilograms of CO2 emissions from electricity use, which results in the state ranking as the 50th highest state in the US for CO2 pollution released per capita. California has the highest amount of electricity generation plants of any state in the United States, with 1513 plants. This translates to the 22nd most plants per person in the United States.

NATURAL GAS

47.01%

SOLAR

18.89%

CONVENTIONAL HYDROELECTRIC

8.76%

NUCLEAR

8.45%

WIND

7.69%

OTHER

9.38%

California has 43 out of 63 electricity providers reporting that they offer net metering to residents with personal solar panels. At the state level, California has favorable regulations for consumers interested in investing in solar.

There are 32 electricity providers in California that reported energy loss. Together, these 32 providers average a yearly energy loss of 2.87% of electricity generated. The countrywide average is 2.45%, resulting in California receiving a rank of 18th best in the US for energy loss efficiency.

State governments can help encourage private citizens to consider installing solar panels by promoting tax incentives and rebates to their populace. California currently does not offer a state tax credit for solar panel installation at a private residence. The state has no all encompassing rebate program, but local rebates are available to many citizens who wish to install solar. Fortunately, California offers a 100% tax exemption to homeowners. at their place of residence. The state currently does not offer a sales tax exemption for the install of solar, leaving homeowners high and dry for this one.

Consumers who are shopping for electricity plans that use renewable sources will have much better luck if there are state level initiatives that encourage green energy usage. Many states require renewable fuels to make up a percentage of the fuel used for electricity generation by electricity companies in the state. These requirements are referred to as Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). Electric suppliers in California are required to generate a minimum of 25% of their electricity using renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the state has a low income solar program in place to help low income households installing solar panels.

Learn about going solar in California, find out which system size is best for you, compare local installers and see which incentives are available in your area.

FAQ: Common Questions About Electricity in California

How many power plants are in California?

California is home to 1513 electricity plants producing electricity for the state.

Where does California get its electricity?

California's electricity is generated using primarily Natural Gas, which makes up 47.01% of the fuel used in the state. In addition, Solar makes up 18.89% and Conventional Hydroelectric makes up 8.76%.

What is a good electricity rate in California?

The average rate of electricity in California in 2023 is 26.43 cents per kilowatt hour (¢/kWh).

What electricity company is the largest provider in California?

By total megawatt hours sold, Southern California Edison is the largest electricity provider in California.

Does California have a deregulated electricity market?

Yes, the state has a deregulated electricity market. This means that consumers in the state can choose from multiple electricity companies to supply their electricity.

What is the average electric bill in California?

The average electricity bill in California in 2023 is $143 while the national average is $137.

How many electric companies offer service in California?

There are 63 electricity companies offering service in California.

What electricity companies offer service in California?

State Customers Rank	Provider	State Customers
1	Southern California Edison	3,811,431
2	Pacific Gas and Electric Company	2,121,001
3	Los Angeles Department of Water & Power	1,490,031
4	San Diego Gas and Electric	864,718
5	Sacramento Municipal Utility District	647,361
6	Imperial Irrigation District	161,150
7	Modesto Irrigation District	131,886
8	Anaheim Public Utilities	121,403
9	Riverside Public Utilities	111,742
10	Turlock Irrigation District	94,445

What is the cheapest electricity company in California?

Residential Rate Rank	Provider	Residential Rate (¢)	State Customers
1	Colorado River Indian Irr Proj	6.52	2,004
2	City of Industry Electricity	9.66	119
3	Trinity PUD	10.20	7,340
4	City of Vernon Utilities	11.58	1,925
5	Needles Electric Company	13.52	2,948
6	Sillicon Valley Power	13.68	58,003
7	Azusa Light and Power	13.81	16,900
8	Biggs, California Electric Utility	14.50	752
9	Colton Utilities	14.97	20,264
10	PacifiCorp	15.14	45,804

Last Reviewed By: Nick Reese

Published: 2023-04-10