Direct Energy Expands Prepaid Offer to AEP Texas Central

Direct Energy has commenced offering prepaid electric service in the AEP Texas Central area, and has launched a new marketing effort for its existing prepaid products at Oncor and CenterPoint.

As previously reported by Matters, Direct Energy has been offering prepaid service using advanced meters for about a year (7/22/10). In March, Direct Energy informed the PUCT, as part of a rulemaking, that it had served roughly 10,000 prepaid customers under the current version of in Subst. R. 25.498 (3/25).

Service was extended, under the CPL Retail Energy brand, to the AEP Texas Central service area this spring.

Direct's Power-To-Go prepaid plan offers a variable rate currently priced as follows:

Oncor: 10.9 cents per kWh, reflecting an energy charge of 9.9 cents per kWh plus a flat daily charge of 33 cents.

CenterPoint: 11.9 cents per kWh, reflecting an energy charge of 10.9 cents per kWh plus a flat daily charge of 33 cents

AEP Texas Central: 9.9 cents per kWh, reflecting an energy charge of 8.9 cents per kWh plus a flat daily charge of 33 cents (branded as CPL Prepaid)

The energy charge and/or the daily base charge may increase once per month by no more than 30 percent over the previous price.

Direct may charge the customer $2.50 for calling a customer service rep to receive an account update, which are freely provided via text or email.

Direct may also charge a fee of $2.95 for requests for mailed copies of the customer's Usage and Account Summary. Summaries provided to energy assistance agencies are free of charge.

Payments made at authorized payment stations are subject to a payment transaction fee not to exceed $2.95. There is no transaction fee for online payments

Direct Energy may impose a Same Day Move In Fee of $39.99. This fee is separate from any TDU fee for a Priority Move-In.