El Paso Electricity: A Regulated Texas City on the Western Grid
El Paso is the outlier in Texas. It's on the Western Interconnection — not ERCOT — and it's served by a traditionally regulated utility, El Paso Electric. Retail choice like Houston or Dallas doesn't apply here.
No personal info required to compare
About Energy Choice in El Paso
El Paso Electric is a vertically integrated, investor-owned utility regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission on the New Mexico side of its territory). Rates are set through formal PUCT rate cases, not through wholesale auctions or competitive retail offers. That structure is closer to how utilities operate in the rest of the country than to the ERCOT retail market most Texans think of.
El Paso is also geographically separated from the rest of Texas on the power grid. The city sits inside the Western Interconnection along with New Mexico, Arizona and most of the western U.S., not inside ERCOT. That's why blackouts that hit Dallas or Houston during winter storms — including February 2021 — didn't hit El Paso the same way. Different grid, different capacity rules, different weather exposure.
For El Paso residents, 'shopping electricity' looks nothing like Power to Choose. There is no marketplace of retail providers. What you can shop is program participation — El Paso Electric offers rebates for high-efficiency AC, solar interconnection, EV charging pilots, and low-income assistance — plus rate rider choices where they apply. Solar economics in particular are strong given El Paso's sun exposure and El Paso Electric's net-metering framework.
How It Works
Five simple steps to a better energy rate.
Enter Your ZIP
Tell us where you live so we can show available plans.
Upload Your Bill (Optional)
Let Maya AI scan it to find the best matching offer.
Compare Plans
See real rates, contract terms and estimated savings.
Pick a Plan
Choose the offer that fits your home and usage.
Switch in Minutes
No service interruption — your new rate starts next cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shop retail electric providers in El Paso?
No. El Paso is served by El Paso Electric, a traditionally regulated vertically integrated utility. Texas's retail choice program does not apply in El Paso Electric's service territory.
Why is El Paso not part of ERCOT?
El Paso sits on the Western Interconnection, one of the three major grids in North America, along with most of the western United States. ERCOT covers the rest of Texas but stops short of El Paso and far West Texas.
Who regulates El Paso Electric rates?
The Public Utility Commission of Texas regulates El Paso Electric's Texas rates through formal rate case proceedings. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission regulates the New Mexico portion of its territory.
Does El Paso get affected by ERCOT grid emergencies?
Not directly. Because El Paso is on the Western Interconnection, ERCOT capacity shortages, ERCOT price spikes and ERCOT load-shed events do not flow through to El Paso Electric customers.
Who do I call for a power outage in El Paso?
Report El Paso outages to El Paso Electric at 915-877-3400 or via the El Paso Electric outage map. El Paso Electric operates all line crews in its service territory.