Costs are rising. Here’s why and what we’re doing about it.
Delaware households and businesses are feeling it. Energy costs are increasing, and the reasons go far beyond anything happening in your neighborhood. Demand is soaring from data centers, AI and economic growth, while power plants retire faster than new ones are being built and renewable energy projects face delays. And with three-fifths of Delaware’s electricity coming from out-of-state power suppliers, we have limited control over our energy supply. The result is record-high capacity prices, rising bills, and real concerns about long-term reliability.
The energy market isn’t working the way it should.
The companies that profit most from today’s high prices have no obligation to fix it. The current short-term pricing structure doesn’t incentivize long-term generation investments, and without coordinated action, customers will face persistent price increases and potential rotating outages during peak demand periods.
This is bigger than Delaware. It’s a challenge playing out across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond, and Delmarva Power is fighting to make sure our customers don’t bear the burden alone. Instead of waiting for the market to figure it out, we’re taking a diversified, collaborative approach guided by one priority: delivering safe, reliable, and affordable energy for the communities that depend on us.
Here’s what we’re doing right now and for the long term.
- Expanding energy efficiency programs: Our programs have already helped Delaware customers achieve more than $115 million in bill savings since 2020, and we’re building on that progress.
- Modernizing demand response: Through the proposed Affordability and Load Flexibility Portfolio, we’re introducing programs that incentivize customers to shift energy use to off-peak hours, lowering bills and reducing strain on the grid.
- Locking in long-term supply contracts: Securing agreements that give developers the certainty to invest in new generation while protecting customers from short-term market swings.
- Supporting solar and distributed energy: Streamlining interconnection processes and expanding access to solar options and incentives for all Delaware customers.
- Pushing for market reform: Advocating for structural changes to PJM’s capacity markets that provide better long-term price signals and ensuring data centers and large energy users pay their fair share of grid costs.
- Standing ready as a backstop: If competitive markets fail to deliver, we’re prepared to invest in building and owning generation through partnerships with top developers to guarantee the affordable, reliable energy Delaware needs.
These solutions are in addition to our ongoing grid modernization work — upgrading substations, reinforcing lines, and installing smart devices — and the financial relief and savings programs already available to customers.
This isn’t just about electricity. It’s about keeping our region thriving.
From small businesses to working families, our communities across The First State run on reliable, affordable power. Policymakers, businesses, and community leaders are making decisions right now that will shape energy costs and reliability for decades. Our Delmarva Power teams are at the table, advocating for Delawareans every step of the way.
Learn more about our efforts to build an energy future that works for everyone: