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CenterPoint Energy electricity

CenterPoint Energy is the delivery utility for the Houston area. It owns the poles and wires, reads your meter and restores power after outages, but it doesn't sell you electricity. If you live here you can choose your own provider. Compare plans for your ZIP on Power to Choose, the state's free comparison site.

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Power to Choose is the state's official, free plan-comparison site run by the PUCT. We don't get paid when you click.

What CenterPoint Energy does

CenterPoint Energy delivers electricity. It does not choose your retail plan and it does not set a shopping-site rate. You still pick the provider in the areas where retail choice is open.

Areas we have reviewed

These reviewed city pages include CenterPoint Energy. Where a city is mixed, the other utility depends on the street.

Delivery charges are PUCT-regulated and passed through. This page does not copy a cents-per-kWh rate.

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Outages

For an outage, use CenterPoint's outage map. If that page is the ERCOT market notice rather than a live outage map, use the phone number on your bill.

Related pages

HoustonGalveston (some streets)League City (some streets)Pearland (some streets)Sugar LandThe Woodlands

Questions

Who do I call when the power's out in the Houston area?

Call CenterPoint Energy. The retail provider does not repair the lines. Use the outage page linked on this page, or the number on your bill.

Can I switch away from CenterPoint Energy?

No. CenterPoint Energy is the delivery utility for the addresses it serves. You can switch the retail provider that sells the energy, not the company that owns the wires.

Why is there a CenterPoint Energy charge on my bill?

That is the delivery charge for the poles, wires, and meter. It is regulated and passed through. Switching providers does not remove it. Tariff filings are on the PUCT rates page: https://www.puc.texas.gov/industry/electric/rates/

How do I find my ESI ID?

The ESI ID is the Electric Service Identifier for your meter. Look on a past bill, or ask the retail provider. It ties the address to the right utility.

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Power to Choose is the state's official, free plan-comparison site run by the PUCT. We don't get paid when you click.

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