San Antonio Electricity Rates
San Antonio is served by CPS Energy, the largest municipal gas and electric utility in the U.S. You cannot shop for a provider. The average residential rate is 12.9¢/kWh — close to Houston and Dallas averages, without shopping or variable-rate risk.
CPS Energy at Military-City Scale
Joint Base San Antonio and a fast-growing metro gave CPS Energy a load most municipal utilities never see.
CPS Energy runs 22 generating units, owns 40% of the South Texas Project nuclear plant, and is Texas’s #1 solar buyer and #2 wind buyer. Peak demand hit 5,900 MW in 2025. Spruce 2 is converting from coal to gas, and 1,710 MW of new gas came online in 2024 from Corpus Christi and Laredo plants.
The Summer Peak Capacity Charge
The base rate is $9.50/month plus 7.50¢/kWh. From June through September, every kWh above 600 adds a 2.15¢ Peak Capacity Charge. Fuel adjustments have pushed the all-in summer rate near 13.5¢.
San Antonio Electric Bills by Month
100°F+ days from June through September make AC the biggest cost. Peak-month usage often exceeds 1,500 kWh, so the surcharge applies to everything above 600 kWh.
Estimated monthly bill for a typical San Antonio home
A typical bill runs about $86 in winter and $230 in August. Usage runs higher than Austin’s, especially in larger north-side homes and older south-side housing.
CPS Energy Generation Mix (FY2026 Q1)
Spruce 2 is converting to gas. Solar is 1,295 MW online or under contract, and batteries are expanding to 530 MW. Nuclear from the South Texas Project covers baseload. Source: CPS Energy FY2026 Q1 report.
Beating the Summer Surcharge
You can’t switch providers. The leverage is usage — especially staying closer to 600 kWh in summer.
Stay Under 600 kWh in Summer
The surcharge only applies above 600 kWh from June–September. A 78°F thermostat, ceiling fans, and south-window shades help. CPS Energy also offers a free Home Energy Checkup.
Solar in San Antonio
San Antonio gets 5.3 peak sun hours a day. CPS Energy offers community solar and rooftop net metering. An 8 kW system typically pays back in about 8.9 years after the 30% federal credit.
Budget Billing
Budget Billing averages your year so the monthly amount stays flat. It doesn’t cut the total, but it removes $250+ summer spikes. Enroll at 210-353-2222.
San Antonio Electricity FAQ
CPS Energy rates, the summer surcharge, and how San Antonio compares to the rest of Texas.
Can I choose my electricity provider in San Antonio?
No. CPS Energy is the only provider in San Antonio and Bexar County. New Braunfels, Schertz, and Seguin may be deregulated and can shop.
What is the average electricity rate in San Antonio?
The 12-month average is 12.9¢/kWh. The typical bill is about $140.
What is CPS Energy’s Peak Capacity Charge?
From June through September, usage above 600 kWh costs an extra 2.15¢/kWh. At 1,500 kWh, that’s about $19. There is no surcharge from October through May.
How big is CPS Energy compared to other Texas utilities?
It is the largest municipal gas and electric utility in the U.S. — 840,000+ electric customers and 10,300 MW of capacity, 4th in ERCOT. Austin Energy serves about 560,000; El Paso Electric about 450,000.
How do I report a power outage in San Antonio?
Call CPS Energy at 210-353-4357 or report at cpsenergy.com/outage.
Is CPS Energy more expensive than deregulated electricity in Texas?
12.9¢/kWh is close to Houston and Dallas averages. The cheapest deregulated plans can drop below 10¢, but those require shopping. The Peak Capacity Charge is San Antonio’s main extra summer cost.