Amarillo Electricity Rates
Amarillo is a Texas city that is not on ERCOT. Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service) is the regulated utility on the Southwest Power Pool. You cannot shop for a retail plan. The typical residential rate is about 13.5¢/kWh.
Why Amarillo Doesn’t Have Retail Choice
Texas only opened retail competition inside ERCOT. The Panhandle was already tied to SPP, so SPS stayed a bundled monopoly under the PUCT.
SPS generates and delivers. Fuel and purchased-power costs pass through with no markup. In March 2026 Xcel filed a lower fuel factor — about $6.40 less at 1,000 kWh. Harrington Station northeast of town is converting from coal to gas. Hale (478 MW) and Sagamore (522 MW) wind sit on the High Plains.
Panhandle Bills: Heat and Heaters
Amarillo has real winter. Bills spike in July for AC and again in December for heat — unlike Houston or Dallas.
Estimated monthly bill for a typical Amarillo home
A 1,000 kWh home runs about $97 in Apr and $193 in Jul. Summer rates (June–September) are higher per kWh than winter base energy.
SPS Capacity Mix
SPS has said roughly half of customer energy can come from carbon-free wind and solar as Hale and Sagamore run. Mix from SPS resource-plan materials. Tolk coal is on a shorter remaining life; Harrington is converting to gas.
Wind, Winter, and PSPS
You cannot switch providers. The Panhandle’s weather is the bill driver — and sometimes the outage driver.
Seal for both seasons
Attic insulation and weatherstripping cut July AC and January heat. Xcel offers efficiency rebates; budget billing flattens the two peaks.
High Plains solar
6 peak sun hours make rooftop solar productive. A 7 kW system pays back in about 7.2 years after the federal credit. Interconnect with Xcel, not a Texas REP.
Wildfire shutoffs
Dry, windy days can trigger a Public Safety Power Shutoff. Watch Xcel’s outage map. Medical-equipment customers should have a backup plan.
Amarillo Electricity FAQ
Xcel SPS service in the Texas Panhandle.
Can I choose my electricity provider in Amarillo?
No. Xcel Energy (SPS) is the only provider. Amarillo is outside ERCOT, so Texas retail choice does not apply.
Is Amarillo on ERCOT?
No. The Panhandle is on the Southwest Power Pool. El Paso is also off ERCOT, but on the Western Interconnection — a different grid than Amarillo.
What is the average electricity rate in Amarillo?
About 13.5¢/kWh at 1,000 kWh, or roughly $135. A 2026 fuel-factor update cut typical bills about 5%.
How do I report a power outage in Amarillo?
Call 800-895-1999 or text OUT to 98936. High winds can mean a planned PSPS, not just a storm outage.