2025 Rate Change
Across our region and the country, many electric cooperatives and other utilities are facing rising wholesale power costs. These cost increases are driven by many factors including increased demand for electricity, investments in growth and reliability, and inflation. As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, Southeastern Electric strives every day to hold down costs while still providing the safe and reliable service you expect. However, these wholesale power costs are Southeastern Electric’s single largest expense and represent about 70 cents of every $1 on your bill each month. As a cooperative, our rates only cover the actual costs of delivering electricity to our members, not making a profit. The Southeastern board and management team are determined to keep the rate increase as low as possible, but we anticipate needing to implement a 7-10% rate increase effective January 1, 2025. The final percentage will be determined by the board and communicated to members as soon as possible.
East River Electric Power Cooperative (East River) is Southeastern Electric’s wholesale power provider and their average base rates will be increasing 7.6% effective January 1, 2025. This is primarily due to increases in the wholesale power costs from Basin Electric and the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). Basin Electric has filed for an average base rate increase of 6.7% effective January 1, 2025. Basin’s rate increase must be approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). East River’s other wholesale generation provider, WAPA, is also phasing in a 14% rate increase across 2025 and 2026 (7% each year).
Click here to learn more about what is causing increased wholesale power costs. If you have additional questions, please give us a call at 800-333-2859 or stop by one of our offices. Southeastern Electric’s updated rates will be listed on this page in mid-December.