Electricity Rates in California

Electricity Rates, Plans & Statistics

Electricity Companies & Statistics in California

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

Price Per kWhAverage Bill$0.290/kWh$0.141/kWh$207.78/mo.$58.91/mo.
48th26.43¢Average residential price per kWh in the state of California
36th$143.38Average residential monthly electricity bill for California Residents

California Electricity Fuel Mix

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

ProviderService TypeResidential Rate (¢)Residential Average Bill ($)Residential Sales (MWh)Residential Revenues ($)State Production (MWh)
Southern California EdisonBUNDLED27.27149.820,151,5665,494,655,0006,515,163.31
Pacific Gas and Electric CompanyBUNDLED31.17170.3411,999,0573,740,521,00028,120,465
Los Angeles Department of Water & PowerBUNDLED22.28113.628,511,5511,895,953,2566,780,836
Clean Power AllianceENERGY7.8348.675,286,249413,863,400
Sacramento Municipal Utility DistrictBUNDLED16.80116.164,768,829800,943,5253,932,763.25
San Diego Gas and ElectricBUNDLED38.48150.63,396,7841,307,172,7922,522,519.2
Marin Clean EnergyENERGY8.6541.422,714,332234,879,000
East Bay Community EnergyENERGY6.8626.252,556,087175,253,500
Imperial Irrigation DistrictBUNDLED15.56182.21,949,853303,307,0001,399,009
San Jose Clean EnergyENERGY7.7031.081,693,606130,459,300

Commercial Electricity Providers in California

ProviderService TypeCommercial Rate (¢)Commercial Average Bill ($)Commercial Sales (MWh)Commercial Revenues ($)State Production (MWh)
Southern California EdisonBUNDLED19.961,045.828,637,0135,714,638,0006,515,163.31
Los Angeles Department of Water & PowerBUNDLED20.472,265.7711,966,8622,449,023,9316,780,836
Pacific Gas and Electric CompanyBUNDLED31.69970.677,357,3672,331,268,00028,120,465
Clean Power AllianceENERGY7.70404.094,011,726308,820,300
Sacramento Municipal Utility DistrictBUNDLED15.68687.413,694,452579,290,3433,932,763.25
San Diego Gas and ElectricBUNDLED30.43930.32,620,236797,237,2532,522,519.2
Marin Clean EnergyENERGY8.10309.722,602,033210,787,800
East Bay Community EnergyENERGY6.47255.822,538,607164,166,300
San Jose Clean EnergyENERGY7.27357.931,788,744130,006,800
Peninsula Clean EnergyENERGY5.86288.981,654,89797,016,100

Power Plants in California

PlantCity/CountyPrimary Fuel TypeProduction (MWh)Emission (KG)Emissions/MWh (KG/MWh)Toxic Chemical ReleaseClosing Date
San Luis Obispo County Nuclear 17,539,9628/2025
Dynegy Moss Landing Power Plant HybridDynegy Energy Services (100.00%)
Monterey County Natural Gas 5,238,1081,978,829,721.4377.78
Geysers Unit 5-20Calpine (100.00%)
Sonoma County Geothermal 4,649,345
High Desert Power PlantMRP Generation Holdings, LLC (100.00%)
Victorville Natural Gas 4,297,5561,713,535,982.48398.72
Delta Energy CenterCalpine (100.00%)
Pittsburg Natural Gas 4,024,7181,564,215,220.26388.65
Mountainview Generating StationSouthern California Edison (100.00%)
Redlands Natural Gas 3,994,094.311,649,445,232.96412.97
AES Huntington Beach Energy ProjectUllico Infrastructure Southland Borrower (35.00%)AES Corporation (65.00%)
Huntington Beach Natural Gas 3,922,3411,425,526,408.6363.44
Elk Hills Power LLCElk Hills Power LLC (31.91%)California Resources Elk Hills LLC (68.09%)
Kern County Natural Gas 3,722,4761,281,876,540344.36
Los Medanos Energy CenterCalpine (100.00%)
Pittsburg Natural Gas 3,679,6301,301,805,345.4353.79
AES Alamitos Energy CenterAES Corporation (65.00%)Ullico Infrastructure Southland Borrower (35.00%)
Long Beach Natural Gas 3,480,5271,284,257,925.86368.98

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.

CountyPopulationProvidersPlantsResidential Rate (¢)Residential Avg. Electric Bill
Alameda County1,673,133142629.58$145.96/mo
Alpine County1,3441425.41$132.80/mo
Amador County40,09510531.44$160.58/mo
Butte County217,884121931.43$160.54/mo
Calaveras County45,34910531.44$160.58/mo
Colusa County21,78010231.44$160.58/mo
Contra Costa County1,161,643112931.03$156.67/mo
Del Norte County27,655215.14$136.90/mo
El Dorado County190,568151529.41$149.81/mo
Fresno County1,003,150137630.90$158.15/mo
Glenn County28,67510231.44$160.58/mo
Humboldt County137,01412629.76$148.93/mo
Imperial County180,051116516.02$180.67/mo
Inyo County18,804111626.97$140.01/mo
Kern County905,6441219629.25$150.80/mo
Kings County151,887123431.15$159.28/mo
Lake County67,74910231.44$160.58/mo
Lassen County32,94911622.97$138.92/mo
Los Angeles County10,019,6352121726.88$139.75/mo
Madera County156,304101731.44$160.58/mo
Marin County262,38711330.40$150.21/mo
Mariposa County17,22510231.44$160.58/mo
Mendocino County91,53411231.43$160.52/mo
Merced County279,150121630.13$157.43/mo
Modoc County8,723215.14$136.90/mo
Mono County13,29114827.20$141.58/mo
Monterey County438,953122129.84$145.06/mo
Napa County138,79511530.40$150.21/mo
Nevada County102,09015929.97$153.91/mo
Orange County3,182,923133328.90$141.81/mo
Placer County400,330162128.79$147.34/mo
Plumas County19,631101031.44$160.58/mo
Riverside County2,409,331179725.39$149.15/mo
Sacramento County1,571,767115619.05$122.99/mo
San Benito County63,32911229.96$146.31/mo
San Bernardino County2,171,0711813326.88$144.26/mo
San Diego County3,296,317118337.03$150.25/mo
San Francisco County865,93312727.06$155.33/mo
San Joaquin County771,406162330.39$158.89/mo
San Luis Obispo County282,771111131.39$160.14/mo
San Mateo County762,48812729.29$146.91/mo
Santa Barbara County447,65114329.03$142.70/mo
Santa Clara County1,932,022155830.77$156.32/mo
Santa Cruz County272,13811429.66$143.29/mo
Shasta County181,935143829.73$158.10/mo
Sierra County3,07914227.22$141.15/mo
Siskiyou County44,1512615.14$136.90/mo
Solano County451,432123331.25$158.87/mo
Sonoma County492,498112031.42$160.47/mo
Stanislaus County550,842121826.11$153.87/mo
Sutter County99,08010731.44$160.58/mo
Tehama County65,34510531.44$160.58/mo
Trinity County15,8181510.20$108.05/mo
Tulare County470,999123728.13$145.79/mo
Tuolumne County55,243121631.04$158.79/mo
Ventura County845,255111327.28$142.08/mo
Yolo County216,703111029.99$148.79/mo
Yuba County80,40410431.44$160.58/mo

Power Plant Fuel Types, Emissions & Pollution Factors

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
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
47.01%
SOLAR
Solar
Solar
18.89%
CONVENTIONAL HYDROELECTRIC
Conventional Hydroelectric
8.76%
NUCLEAR
Nuclear
8.45%
WIND
Wind
7.69%
OTHER
Other
9.38%

California Net Metering

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.

Energy Loss

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.

Solar Taxes And Rebates

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.

State Level Initiatives

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 is the cheapest electricity company in California?

Residential Rate RankProviderResidential Rate (¢)State Customers
1Colorado River Indian Irr Proj6.522,004
2City of Industry Electricity9.66119
3Trinity PUD10.207,340
4City of Vernon Utilities11.581,925
5Needles Electric Company13.522,948
6Sillicon Valley Power13.6858,003
7Azusa Light and Power13.8116,900
8Biggs, California Electric Utility14.50752
9Colton Utilities14.9720,264
10PacifiCorp15.1445,804

Nick Reese
Last Reviewed By: Nick Reese
Published: 2023-04-10