CCEC’s new rate structure will take effect Oct. 1, 2026, following recommendations from the Cost-of-Service Study. These changes are designed to create a more stable, transparent rate structure while ensuring rates continue to reflect the actual cost of providing safe and reliable electric service.
Over the past two years, members have seen the Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment (WPCA) change several times as the cost of purchasing electricity increased. While the WPCA allowed CCEC to quickly respond to changes in wholesale power costs, it also resulted in less predictable monthly bills. Beginning Oct. 1, the WPCA will be eliminated and incorporated into CCEC’s base energy rates. A new Wholesale Power Tier Adjustment (WPTA) will replace the WPCA. The WPTA provides a way to address future changes in wholesale power costs while helping avoid larger, less frequent rate adjustments.
Understanding the Rate Changes
The updated rate structure includes changes to the Base Grid Charge, energy rates, and seasonal rate schedule. The chart below summarizes the current and new rates and what these changes mean for members.
The Base Grid Charge, previously the Facilities Charge, recovers the fixed costs required to provide electric service, including maintaining poles, power lines, transformers, substations, meters, and the equipment and crews needed to keep the system operating year-round. The energy charge recovers the cost of purchasing and delivering the electricity members use each month.
The seasonal rate schedule has also been updated to better align with member energy use. The summer season will now run from April 1 through Oct. 31, and the winter season will run from Nov. 1 through March 31.
How Will This Affect Your Bill?
The impact of these changes will vary based on how much electricity a member uses each month. The examples below show the estimated impact on residential bills at different levels of energy use during both the summer and winter seasons. While individual bills will vary depending on usage patterns, the overall impact for most members is expected to be modest. Members with lower monthly energy use may see a small increase in their bill, while members with average to higher usage are expected to see little change or a slight decrease in their monthly costs. These examples are intended to provide a general estimate and help members understand how the changes may affect their household’s monthly electric bill.
A rate calculator is available to help residential members estimate how the new rates may impact their monthly bill based on their typical energy usage.
How Does CCEC Compare to Other Utilities
The results of the Cost-of-Service Study demonstrate that CCEC continues to provide reliable electric service at rates that compare favorably with other electric providers in Eastern North Carolina. While all electric providers face ongoing challenges from inflation, rising material costs, and increasing investments in infrastructure, CCEC works diligently to keep rates as low as possible without compromising reliability.
