Residential Electric Rate Breakdown
New Braunfels Utilities’ electric rates are comprised of fixed customer charges and variable kWh charges designed to recover NBU’s cost to maintain its electric infrastructure and deliver reliable service to its customers.
Below are our current residential electric rates.
Cost of Power Forecast
| Line Item | April | April Monthly Electric Bill | May | May Monthly Electric Bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generation | $.0480 | $57.60 | $.0480 | $57.60 |
| Transmission | $.0172 | $20.64 | $.0172 | $20.64 |
| Delivery Charge | $.02646 | $31.75 | $.02646 | $31.75 |
| Replenish Reserves | $.0075 | $9.00 | $.0075 | $9.00 |
| Per kWh Charge Total | $0.0992 | $0.0992 | ||
| Electric Service Availability Charge | $20.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Total Bill* | $138.99 | $138.99 |
NBU Electric Rates Compared to Neighboring Utilities (May 2025)
Based on an average usage of 1,200 kWh.
Average Cost Per kWh
The May 2025 average cost per kWh for residential customers is $.0992.*
The current 12-month average is $.1080 per kWh.
*Based on an average usage of 1,200 kWh. Not including the Service Availability Charge.
Charge Definitions
Generation
Rather than owning power plants, NBU buys power from the ERCOT market through a hedging program, which is designed to reduce volatility and deliver a competitive price. This charge reflects the pass-through amount of the cost of power.
Transmission
This charge reflects the costs of transporting energy to the NBU service territory. Transmission costs are set by the state each year and are based on a community’s peak electricity demand from the prior year.
Delivery Charge
This is the cost of power distribution, and it is charged on a per kilowatt-hour rate. This covers the operation and maintenance of NBU’s local distribution infrastructure including poles, wires, and transformers.
Replenish Reserves
This charge is designed to replenish NBU’s reserves to ensure we are prepared in case of emergency events – like Winter Storm Uri.
Electric Service Availability Charge
The base costs incurred in making service available for customers, including meter reading, billing, and record keeping. The charge is fixed and independent of the amount of electricity used in a particular month.