Houston Electricity Delivery Charges Rose 58% Since 2020
Local operators face higher utility overhead as delivery rates hit 6.41 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Utilities
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As of September 2026, delivery charges from CenterPoint now account for up to 41% of monthly electric bills for Houston customers. The per-kilowatt-hour delivery rate has climbed to 6.41 cents, up from 4.05 cents in 2020.
Why it matters
The rise in regulated delivery fees directly inflates fixed operating costs for businesses and homes, adding approximately $566 in annual expenses for a household using 2,000 kilowatt-hours per month. These rate adjustments are tied to commission-approved returns on infrastructure spending.
CenterPoint delivery charges reached 6.41 cents per-kilowatt-hour in 2026, an increase from 4.05 cents in 2020. A home using 2,000 kilowatt-hours per month now incurs approximately $566 more in annual costs compared to historical baseline rates.
The players
CenterPoint
A regulated utility provider responsible for power delivery and infrastructure operations in the Houston market.
Public Utility Commission of Texas
The state regulatory agency that oversees utility operations and approves rate changes for power delivery companies.
Jason Wells
The CEO of CenterPoint who oversaw recent operational growth and reported a $3 million increase in total compensation.
The details
CenterPoint earns a commission-set regulated return on infrastructure spending, which is passed to ratepayers through approved rate cases handled by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. While the $4.90 monthly fixed fee has remained stable, the per-kilowatt-hour increase accounts for the shift in bill composition. These charges are intended to cover operating, maintenance, and capital infrastructure costs.
Timeline
The per-kilowatt-hour delivery rate was 4.05 cents in 2020.
Customers observed high delivery charge percentages in September 2026.
Market Landscape
These rate adjustments follow the established Public Utility Commission of Texas rate case process, which permits utilities to earn returns on capital infrastructure investments. The cost shift reflects a broader trend of rising utility overheads driven by state-regulated infrastructure spending.
Operators should review their average monthly kilowatt-hour consumption to assess the impact of these delivery rate shifts on their margins. Consider auditing facility energy efficiency or consulting with an accountant to evaluate if these increased utility costs warrant a adjustment to service pricing.
The takeaway
Rising delivery charges indicate that infrastructure investment remains a primary driver of utility bill inflation in Texas. Operators should track the next Public Utility Commission of Texas rate case filings to anticipate how future capital expenditures will influence their overhead.
Further reading
For more on the regulatory environment affecting local power costs, see Utilities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Cool Down.
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