Electricity Price Volatility in Delaware

State Electricity Price Context

The average residential electricity rate in Delaware is 17.18 ¢/kWh. This page focuses on how stable or volatile those prices have been over time.

5-Year Volatility

The 5-year volatility for Delaware is 13.35% (rank #10 among states). This measures the coefficient of variation of monthly electricity rates over the last 5 years—higher values mean more fluctuation.

The national average volatility is about 10.26%. Delaware's volatility is higher than the national average, meaning electricity prices in Delaware have historically been more volatile than typical across the U.S.

What Can Cause Electricity Price Volatility

Possible drivers of electricity price volatility include:

  • Fuel price changes — Natural gas, coal, and other fuel costs can swing with commodity markets.
  • Extreme weather — Heat waves and cold snaps affect demand and can strain supply.
  • Grid constraints — Transmission limits and congestion can cause regional price spikes.
  • Market structure — Deregulated markets may see more price variation than regulated utilities.

Related Pages

← All states: Electricity Price Volatility

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