What is the average electricity rate in Louisiana?

The average residential electricity rate in Louisiana is approximately 10–12¢ per kWh, which is below the national average. Entergy Louisiana is the largest provider. However, storm recovery surcharges can significantly increase bills above the base rate.

Does Utility Check support Louisiana utility bills?

Yes. Utility Check supports Entergy Louisiana, Cleco, SWEPCO, and Louisiana cooperatives. We verify your base charges, fuel adjustments, and any storm cost recovery surcharges to ensure your bill is calculated correctly.

How do hurricane surcharges affect my Louisiana bill?

After major hurricanes, Louisiana utilities add storm cost recovery surcharges to bills for several years. These charges can add $10–$30 per month. Utility Check verifies that these surcharges are applied correctly and at the approved rates, so you're not paying more than you should.

How can I verify my Entergy Louisiana bill?

Upload your Entergy Louisiana bill to Utility Check. We recalculate every line item including base charges, fuel adjustments, storm recovery fees, and taxes. If something doesn't add up, we flag it and provide instructions for contacting Entergy to resolve the issue.

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Louisiana Electric Utility Comparison

Louisiana has some of the lowest electricity rates in the nation, thanks to abundant natural gas resources. However, hurricane-related storm recovery charges can significantly impact bills after major storms.

Rates shown are effective as of January 2026 and include typical fuel charges

Rate Comparison

Utility	Rate Range	Median Rate	Customers	Ownership
LowestMunicipal & Cooperative Utilities	10.0–12.5¢/kWh	11.0¢/kWh	400,000	Municipal/Cooperative
Entergy Louisiana	11.5–13.5¢/kWh	12.5¢/kWh	1.1 million	Entergy Corporation (investor-owned)
SWEPCO (Southwestern Electric Power)	11.5–13.5¢/kWh	12.8¢/kWh	180,000	American Electric Power (investor-owned)
Cleco	12.0–14.0¢/kWh	13.0¢/kWh	290,000	Cleco Corporate Holdings (investor-owned)
Entergy New Orleans	12.0–14.5¢/kWh	13.2¢/kWh	200,000	Entergy Corporation (investor-owned)

Understanding Storm Recovery Charges

Louisiana utilities can add storm recovery charges to bills after major hurricanes. These charges help pay for power restoration and infrastructure repairs. After major storms like Hurricane Ida, these charges can add $10-30 or more to monthly bills for several years.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) regulates these charges and requires utilities to show them as separate line items on your bill.

Detailed Utility Profiles

Entergy Louisiana

Most of Louisiana, New Orleans metro

12.5¢

median/kWh

1.1 million

11.5–13.5¢/kWh

Advantages

• Largest utility in Louisiana
• Strong storm restoration capabilities
• Natural gas generation keeps costs low
• Extensive infrastructure investment

Considerations

• Storm recovery charges after hurricanes
• Fuel adjustment charges can vary monthly
• Rate cases pending for infrastructure costs

Cleco

Central Louisiana, Alexandria area

13.0¢

median/kWh

290,000

12.0–14.0¢/kWh

Advantages

• Competitive rates in Central Louisiana
• Strong local presence
• Reliable service in rural areas
• Energy efficiency programs

Considerations

• Limited service area
• Fewer rate plan options
• Infrastructure upgrades ongoing

SWEPCO (Southwestern Electric Power)

Northwest Louisiana, Shreveport area

12.8¢

median/kWh

180,000

11.5–13.5¢/kWh

Advantages

• Part of AEP with strong resources
• Competitive rates
• Renewable energy investments
• Good customer service ratings

Considerations

• Limited to Northwest Louisiana
• Cross-state operations can complicate billing
• Fuel cost adjustments vary

Entergy New Orleans

City of New Orleans

13.2¢

median/kWh

200,000

12.0–14.5¢/kWh

Advantages

• Dedicated New Orleans service
• Hurricane hardening investments
• Smart grid deployment
• Local regulatory oversight

Considerations

• Higher rates than Entergy Louisiana
• Storm recovery surcharges
• Aging infrastructure in some areas

Municipal & Cooperative Utilities

Various cities and rural areas

11.0¢

median/kWh

400,000

10.0–12.5¢/kWh

Advantages

• Often lowest rates in the state
• Local ownership and control
• No profit motive
• Community-focused service

Considerations

• Limited to specific areas
• Smaller scale operations
• Variable service quality

Why Louisiana Has Low Electricity Rates

Natural Gas Abundance

Louisiana is a major natural gas producing state, and most electricity generation comes from natural gas plants. This proximity to fuel sources keeps generation costs low and reduces transportation costs that other states face.

Industrial Base

Louisiana's large industrial sector (petrochemical plants, refineries) provides a stable base of electricity demand. This helps utilities spread fixed costs across more customers, keeping residential rates lower.

Fuel Adjustment Charges

Louisiana utilities use fuel adjustment charges that change monthly based on actual fuel costs. When natural gas prices are low, these charges decrease. When prices spike, they increase. This pass-through mechanism means rates closely track fuel market conditions.

Storm Recovery Impact

While base rates are low, major hurricanes can add significant storm recovery charges. After Hurricane Ida (2021), some customers saw charges of $15-30/month added to bills for storm restoration costs. These charges typically last 10-15 years.

Frequently Compared: Louisiana City Rates

Compare electricity rates and utility providers across popular Louisiana cities. Each city guide includes rate plans, bill breakdowns, and local assistance programs.

New Orleans

Entergy New Orleans

Baton Rouge

Entergy Louisiana

Shreveport

Entergy Louisiana

Lafayette

Entergy Louisiana

Verify Your Bill

No matter which Louisiana utility you have, our verification service can check your bill for accuracy and ensure you're being charged correctly—including storm recovery charges.