Electric Companies in Illinois

Illinois Electric Companies

Illinois is one of the most populous and industrialized states in the country. The state has many successful and reliable power companies generating and selling electricity to customers in Illinois and neighboring states. The percentage of nuclear power plants is high. More than half of the electricity is generated at nuclear plants, the largest of which are Braidwood Nuclear Generating Station and Byron Nuclear Generating Station.

Illinois has two major wholesale power suppliers, ComEd and Ameren Illinois. There is not much difference in the price of electricity between them. Many medium and small electric companies offer a variety of electric rate plans, including Fixed-Term Plans and Variable-Term Plans. Electricity retailers include Constellation, Eligo Energy, Direct Energy, and SmartEnergy. Illionis became a deregulated state in 1997, with many electric companies gaining access to the market. Consumers in deregulated states can choose their electric utility company. Because of the high competition, prices are lower and the quality of service is higher.

The advanced, deregulated state is home to many advanced electric companies offering renewable energy solutions. Although the current percentage of renewable energy is about 10%, in thirty years it is planned to increase the use of green energy to 100%. The main source of renewable energy in Illinois is wind. One of the largest manufacturers of wind energy equipment is headquartered in Chicago. Many traditional electricity providers already offer tariff plans consisting partly or entirely of renewable energy sources. Recently, electric companies such as Mpower Energy and SmartEnergy have entered the market, offering consumers completely clean electricity.