Starting in July, ComEd customers may notice a 10–15% increase in their electric bills. We understand that any increase to your living expenses can be difficult to manage, and we want to be transparent about what’s driving this change and what we’re doing to help.
What Gives?
Each year, PJM Interconnection – the federally regulated organization that manages the electricity grid for northern Illinois and other regions – holds a capacity auction. This auction secures future electricity supply to ensure reliability during peak demand. The cost of this capacity is part of the “supply” portion of your electric bill. For customers who receive energy supply from ComEd, this cost is passed through with no markup by or profit to ComEd.
Due to several factors, the cost of capacity has risen significantly:
- Retirement of fossil fuel plants: Some older gas and coal plants are shutting down or becoming less reliable, especially during extreme weather.
- Delays in renewable energy integration: The process of bringing new renewable energy sources online has slowed, making it harder to replace lost capacity.
- Rising demand: Increased electricity use from data centers, artificial intelligence and electrification is putting more pressure on the grid.
The increase may appear on electric bills as a separate line item labeled “Capacity Charge” for Hourly Pricing participants or within the Electricity Supply Charge for default fixed-price rate customers.
We’re Here to Help
We’re committed to helping customers manage their energy costs. Here’s how:
- Online tools and resources: Visit ComEd.com/BillSupport for energy-saving tips, programs, and bill assistance options.
- Smart Assistance Manager: Use ComEd.com/SAM to find personalized support programs based on your needs.
- Low-Income Discount Program: This new program will launch in 2026 and offer income-qualified customers a percentage-based discount on their monthly bills.
We’re here to support you through these changes and help you find ways to save energy and money. To better understand how you are billed, watch the video below, which breaks down what you pay for the power you use and the cost of ComEd’s delivery of best-in-class, reliable service, or click here.
