In the Annual Baseline Assessment of Choice in Canada and the United States (ABACCUS) report released by the Distributed Energy Financial Group LLC (DEFG), Texas was once again found to be the top competitive market in North America. From the release:
The report identifies North American electricity markets that have successfully restructured to allow direct access or consumer choice and explains the policy choices that led to those successes.
“In Texas we refuse to rest on our laurels and have every intention of remaining number one by continuing to add features in our nation’s leading electricity market,” said Donna L. Nelson, chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. “We keep finding ways to increase customer value in the marketplace through smart grid innovations and ongoing improvements in the shopping experience, just to name a few.”
DEFG found in its research that the Texas retail electricity market is very competitive for all customer classes. Texans in competitive areas are engaging in the market in record numbers and making choices to meet their energy needs. The depth and breadth of retail electricity offers is unparalleled in Texas. Approximately 40 retail energy suppliers compete for residential customers in competitive areas of the state by offering a broad range of products and services designed to meet customers’ needs.
DEFG also noted the innovation in the ERCOT competitive market:
Texas continues to see a surge in consumer‐driven product and service innovation. New smart grid infrastructure investments – advanced meters, mobile communications and control devices, and in‐ home usage displays – allow entrepreneurial retail energy suppliers to develop innovative pricing and service choices.
