Electricity Prices
Delaware residential electricity prices run near 15.6 cents per kWh, close to the national average. Prices reflect the state's reliance on imported power and PJM wholesale market dynamics.
Electricity price per kWh (Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington)
1979–2024BLS Average Price Data, annual average (APUS12B72610).
Natural gas price for power plants
1997–2002U.S. EIA Natural Gas Annual, price delivered to electric power consumers (N3045DE3).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Residential electricity price (cents/kWh) | 15.6 | 16.2 |
- •Delaware's electricity market has been deregulated since 1999, allowing customers to choose suppliers.
Energy Production
Delaware has minimal in-state electricity generation and relies heavily on imports from the PJM grid. Natural gas dominates the small generation fleet, with growing solar capacity supplementing supply.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Net generation (TWh) | 5.5 | 4300 |
- •Delaware is one of the smallest electricity generators among U.S. states.
Renewable Energy
Delaware has set a goal of 40% renewable electricity by 2035, with solar as the leading renewable source. Renewables currently make up a modest share of the state's generation mix.
Renewables share of total energy consumption
1960–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, renewable energy (RETCB) ÷ total energy consumption (TETCB).
Renewable energy consumption
1960–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all renewable sources (RETCB), consumption in billion Btu.
| Year | Billion Btu |
|---|---|
| 1968 | 1 |
U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, hydroelectric power (HYTCB), consumption in billion Btu.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Renewable share of generation (%) | 6 | 21.4 |
- •Delaware's renewable energy goal was strengthened in 2021 to require 40% renewables by 2035.
Solar Energy
Solar power accounts for about 6% of Delaware's electricity generation, driven by residential rooftop installations and utility-scale projects. Capacity has grown steadily over the past decade.
Solar energy consumption
1989–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, solar, all uses (SOTCB), consumption in billion Btu.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Installed solar capacity (MW) | 320 | 13500 |
- •Delaware offers net metering and solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) to encourage rooftop solar adoption.
Wind Energy
Delaware has minimal onshore wind but is positioning itself for offshore wind development off its Atlantic coast. No utility-scale offshore projects are yet operational in state waters.
Wind energy consumption
2010–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, wind (WYTCB), consumption in billion Btu.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore wind capacity (MW) | 0 | 2100 |
- •Delaware was among the first states to study offshore wind feasibility in the mid-2000s.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is the dominant source of electricity generation in Delaware, supplying about 88% of the state's power. This reflects the state's reliance on gas-fired plants like the Indian River facility.
Residential natural gas price
1967–2025U.S. EIA Natural Gas Annual, price delivered to residential consumers (N3010DE3).
Natural gas consumption
1997–2024U.S. EIA Natural Gas Annual, total consumption (NA1490_SDE_2).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Natural gas share of generation (%) | 88 | 43 |
- •Delaware retired its last coal-fired power plant units in the 2010s, shifting generation to natural gas.
Energy Consumption
Delaware's per-capita energy consumption is below the national average due to its small industrial base and mild climate. Transportation and residential sectors account for the largest shares of use.
Total energy consumption
1960–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sources (TETCB), consumption in billion Btu.
Transportation sector energy consumption
1960–2024U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (TEACB), consumption in billion Btu.
Natural gas consumption
1997–2024U.S. EIA Natural Gas Annual, total consumption.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Per-capita energy consumption (MMBtu) | 210 | 265 |
- •Delaware has no coal mining or major refining, reducing industrial energy use.