Since 1998, Connecticut’s electric industry has been deregulated. It took a few years for the competitive market to develop, with switching electricity suppliers gaining popularity in the last few years.
Currently, there are more than 650,000 electric customers that have switched to a new electric supplier in Connecticut. These consumers may have been offered better deals, environmentally friendly packages or easy switching processes.
After the legislation was enforced, Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) and United Illuminating (UI) became known as utility distribution companies. They turned their focus to delivery and distribution of electricity, as well as providing maintenance and billing services.
There is a state policy that ensures electricity providers must maintain a minimum percentage of their power from renewable energy resources. Energy suppliers may be able to offer customers green packages as well as carbon offsetting products.
38% of Connecticut’s electricity was generated by the Millstone nuclear power plant in 2020. In the United States, this was the seventh-highest share of electricity provided by nuclear power. Only 2% was provided by solar power, exceeding biomass-fuelled electric generation for the first time.
When it comes to regulating the services of the two investor-owned electric distribution companies, PURA (Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority) takes this responsibility. The two current electric distribution companies are Eversource and United Illuminating. PURA also regulates licensed electric suppliers.
Connecticut has an increasing number of electricity suppliers entering the market, as well as a thriving energy marketplace. Consumers are not required to choose a licensed supplier. For generation supply, they can stay with Eversource or United Illuminating.
So, what suppliers are available for consumers in Connecticut?
