Report: 28% Of Texans Would Prefer To Buy Electricity From Wires Utility, Not Retail Provider
September 25,2019
A report from Escalent says that, "after 17 years of deregulation, 38% of Texans prefer to purchase their electricity from a REP, while 28% would like to use their incumbent utility."
The finding was included in the 2019 Cogent Syndicated Texas REP Trusted Brand study from Escalent, which also listed Brand Trust Indices for various Texas retail electric providers
Escalent said that, of the incumbent utilities, AEP Texas (32%) and CenterPoint Energy (31%) have the strongest preference among Texans.
Escalent reported the Brand Trust Index for "Large Brand" REPs and "Challenge Brand" REPs as follows:
Large Brands Brand Trust Index
Just Energy 789
4Change Energy 784
Amigo Energy 767
Green Mountain Energy 760
Cirro Energy 755
Stream Energy 745
Direct Energy 740
Champion Energy Services 738
CPL Retail Energy 738
TXU Energy 737
TriEagle Energy 730
Reliant Energy 729
First Choice Power 707
Ambit Energy 704
Gexa Energy 684
Challenger Brands Brand Trust Index
Alliance Power 829
NEC Retail 821
American Light & Power 810
Bounce Energy 757
Discount Power 756
Xoom Energy 749
WTU Retail 740
Spark Energy 725
Frontier 724
Entrust Energy 712
Infinite Energy 708
Pennywise 705
Constellation 692
Brilliant Energy 659
Source: Escalent. Cogent Syndicated
Texas REP Trusted Brand
September 2019.
The report surveyed 5,361 Texans on their experiences with REPs, and found the Cogent Brand Trust index has declined by two points to 735.
Overall, 16 REPs increased brand trust over the last year while 13 declined, Escalent said
Escalent said, "A decline in overall REP Brand Trust driven by consumers’ disenchantment with rate plans and lower ratings for REPs’ environmental dedication is fueling these changes."
Escalent said that one in four Texans plan to switch retail electric providers. Of the one in four Texans who is now or will soon be shopping for a new REP, almost half have been with their REP two years or longer, Escalent said