Best Electricity Rates in Maryland 2026: Compare Suppliers and Cut Your Bill

Maryland residents have had the right to choose their electricity supplier since 2000, but a large portion of customers still pay their utility’s default rate without ever shopping. If you’re served by BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, or Potomac Edison and haven’t compared electricity rates recently, there’s a good chance a competitive supplier can beat what you’re currently paying for the supply portion of your bill.

How Electricity Deregulation Works in Maryland

Maryland’s 1999 Electric Customer Choice and Competition Act opened the retail electricity market to competition. Like other deregulated states, Maryland separates electricity into two components: delivery (handled by your local utility, unchanged when you switch) and supply/generation (which you can buy from a competitive retail electric supplier, or ARES).

If you’ve never switched, you’re buying supply from your utility at its Price-to-Compare (PTC) — the default rate. Competitive suppliers must beat this rate or offer other value (green energy, price stability) to earn your business.

Maryland’s Four Utilities

Your utility depends on your location:

BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric) serves Baltimore and the surrounding counties — the largest utility in Maryland. BGE customers in central Maryland have the broadest selection of competitive suppliers.

Pepco (Potomac Electric Power) serves Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in the Washington, D.C. suburbs. Pepco’s territory includes some of the densest population centers in Maryland.

Delmarva Power serves the Eastern Shore of Maryland (and parts of Delaware). Delmarva customers can also shop for competitive supply.

Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy) serves western Maryland — Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties.

All four utilities report their current Price-to-Compare (PTC) on the Maryland Public Service Commission’s website and on customer bills. Use the PTC as your benchmark when evaluating competitive offers.

What Electricity Rates Look Like in Maryland in 2026

Maryland electricity rates are moderate compared to Northeast neighbors but have risen in recent years. Residential all-in rates (supply + delivery) run approximately 14–18 cents per kWh depending on the utility and season. The supply component — what you can actually change — typically represents 40–55% of the total bill, or roughly 6–9 cents per kWh.

Competitive suppliers in 2026 are offering fixed-rate supply plans ranging from approximately 6.5–9.5 cents per kWh in Maryland. Whether a competitive rate beats the utility PTC depends on market timing — compare at the moment you shop, since both the PTC and supplier offers change frequently.

Types of Electricity Plans in Maryland

Fixed-rate plans guarantee your supply rate for the contract term (typically 6, 12, or 24 months). These are the most popular choice for Maryland homeowners who want a predictable bill. Fixed rates protect against spikes during winter or summer demand peaks.

Variable-rate plans change monthly based on market conditions. These can beat fixed rates in mild months but expose you to spikes. Most consumer advocates recommend fixed rates for the average Maryland household.

100% renewable plans source your electricity from wind, solar, or other renewable generators. Maryland has a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that requires increasing percentages of renewable energy — some competitive suppliers offer fully renewable plans with certificates to prove sourcing. Rates are often comparable to non-renewable fixed plans.

How to Switch Electricity Suppliers in Maryland

Step 1: Find your Price-to-Compare. Your PTC (the supply-only rate) appears on your monthly bill or at the Maryland PSC website. This is the number you’re trying to beat — not the total bill rate.

Step 2: Compare suppliers. Enter your ZIP code in a comparison tool to see licensed Maryland suppliers and their current offers. Filter by fixed vs. variable, contract length, and renewable options.

Step 3: Enroll. The enrollment process is done online or by phone, takes 5–10 minutes, and requires your utility account number. No service interruption occurs.

Step 4: Verify on your next bill. Your first bill post-switch will show your new supplier’s supply charge. Confirm it matches what you agreed to.

Maryland Consumer Protections When Shopping for Electricity

The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) licenses all retail electricity suppliers. Before a supplier can sell to Maryland residents, they must be licensed. Key protections for Maryland electricity shoppers include a right to cancel within 7 calendar days of enrollment with no penalty, a requirement that suppliers provide a clear disclosure statement with all rates, terms, and fees before you enroll, protection against slamming (switching your supplier without your consent), and a right to return to your utility’s standard service at any time, with switches typically taking effect within one or two billing cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Electricity Choice

Does switching electricity suppliers affect my power reliability?

Not at all. Your utility (BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, or Potomac Edison) continues to deliver electricity through the same infrastructure. Switching only changes who generates your power — and at what price. If there’s an outage, you still call your utility.

Are there fees to switch in Maryland?

Enrolling is typically free. The fee to watch is an early termination fee (ETF) if you break your contract — these range from $0 to $100+ depending on the plan. Always check the disclosure statement. Many plans, especially shorter-term ones, have no ETF.

How much can Maryland customers save?

Savings depend on current market rates relative to the utility PTC. In years when gas prices spiked (2022–2023), customers on locked-in fixed rates from competitive suppliers saved substantially. In stable markets, savings may be modest but still positive. Use the current PTC as your comparison benchmark.

Can I get green electricity through a competitive supplier in Maryland?

Yes — several Maryland-licensed suppliers offer plans sourced from 100% renewable energy. These plans often come with renewable energy certificates (RECs) that verify sourcing. Maryland’s RPS requires increasing renewable content, making certified green plans attractive to environmentally conscious consumers.

What happens if my supplier goes out of business?

Maryland PSC regulations require suppliers to maintain financial solvency standards. If a supplier loses their license or fails, you’re automatically returned to your utility’s standard service — your power never goes out.

How often should I compare electricity rates in Maryland?

Set a reminder 60 days before your current contract expires. At that point, compare fresh offers against the current PTC. Even if you’re happy with your current supplier, verifying you still have a competitive rate is worth 5 minutes.

Is Shopping for Electricity Worth It in Maryland?

Yes — particularly for households with above-average electricity usage. Even a 1–2 cent per kWh reduction in your supply rate saves $120–$240 per year for a household using 1,000 kWh per month. The process is simple, state-regulated, and reversible. Given that Maryland utilities reset their PTC periodically, proactive rate shopping is one of the more effective ways to manage a utility bill that most people treat as fixed.