Businesses across the state have begun to feel the effects of higher capacity charges on their electric bills
As previously shared, MISO and PJM capacity auctions cleared at significantly higher prices for the 2025-2026 planning year – June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. MISO and PJM are the Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) that coordinate the movement of wholesale electricity in Ameren Illinois and ComEd electric territories, respectively.
Ameren Illinois or ComEd, or alternative energy suppliers you might be buying supply from, do not have any control over these capacity charges. Energy managers nor your employees who help with supply procurement decisions should be blamed for the impact of higher capacity rates.
Latest development for the PJM 2026-2027 Planning Year – Even higher capacity prices ahead!
Then, on July 22, 2025, PJM Interconnection announced that the results of Planning Year 2026-2027 (June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027) capacity auction hit a $329.17 per megawatt-day price cap for the entire PJM footprint — across its 13-state region that includes the ComEd electric territory. The new PJM capacity rates, up another 22 percent, break the record set for the current 2025-2026 planning year of $269.92 per megawatt-day. Customers are seeing an unprecedented increase in capacity rates, and this latest announcement signals that customers can expect and even higher prices for capacity in the future.
COMED CUSTOMERS
The results of PJM’s capacity market Base Residual Auction (BRA) for planning year June 2025 through May 2026 resulted in an all-time high clearing price of $269.92/MW-day for ComEd customers, a 9x increase from its previous 2024-2025 auction of $28.92/MW-day.
What can ComEd customers do to help offset extraordinary capacity rates?
While nothing can change capacity charges, ComEd offers resources such as utility-sponsored efficiency incentives, discounts, and services that can have cost savings effects on your bills immediately. Furthermore, many energy efficiency efforts can also help lower a customer’s peak load contribution (PLC), a price determinant for future capacity charges.
Below are ComEd’s energy-saving strategies available for customers to help offset the impact of the highest PJM capacity rates ever.
- The ComEdSM Energy Efficiency Program offers energy-saving strategies for your business. Simple things like keeping your facility cool not cold, setting the thermostat back during unoccupied hours, changing HVAC filters, and sealing leaky ducts can help lower energy costs.
- A free Energy Assessment will help identify opportunities around your facility to fit your business’ specific needs and budget. You’ll receive a customized report detailing projects that can reduce the impact of the recent price increase.
- Use the free ComEd Business Energy Analyzer online tool and receive customized reports and insights into how and when your facility uses energy so you can incorporate the right strategies at the right times. This can help identify opportunities for reducing monthly electrical costs.
- Incentives and discounts are available on products and improvements that can help reduce energy use and lower your operating costs, including there are upgrades that can help your business save without a lot of downtime.
Learn more at ComEd.com/ForYourBusiness.
AMEREN ILLINOIS CUSTOMERS
For businesses operating in Ameren Illinois electric territories where capacity rates have also risen significantly, visit https://amerenillinoissavings.com/business/ for more information about financial incentives for energy-efficient equipment upgrades and other projects that can help your business save energy, lower operating costs, enhance comfort and create a safer, healthier environment.
Questions?
For assistance, email or call Maggie Murphy at 312-622-0053 or info@irmaenergyservices.com; Brian Jordan at 630-346-3364 or bjordan@irma.org.
