For customers who don’t choose another option, Ameren Illinois will provide energy at a fixed price* through our Basic Generation Service (BGS) rate. BGS is available to residential and small commercial customers with electric demands less than 150 kW.
As an energy delivery company, Ameren Illinois does not profit from BGS charges. We pass along the price we pay for electricity to our customers dollar-for-dollar, with no markup. Rates for this default supply option represent the wholesale price obtained by Ameren Illinois through the Illinois Power Agency (IPA), an independent state agency. The IPA buys power on our behalf annually through an independently managed and state-monitored auction.
To view the current breakdown of the BGS source of supply, click here.
*Rates vary during summer vs. non-summer periods.
Electric customers have the right to choose a third-party supplier to provide electricity – and we’re okay with that. Alternate suppliers may offer different pricing options and services that could lower your energy supply costs.
A supplier may offer one or more of the following billing options:
Once you've contacted potential suppliers, they may ask for account information before they present you with an offer - and that's okay. Be sure to review the information within the offer, including pricing, contractual terms, enrollment, billing and service. Make sure you compare electric supply costs rather than delivery charges.
This PDF contains additional information to help you choose a supplier.
As another alternative for electric supply, Ameren Illinois offers an hourly supply service (HSS) option that allows all DS-3, DS-4 and DS-6 business customers access to variable hourly prices for power.
Hourly supply services fluctuate based on market supply and demand. Generally speaking, market prices are highest during times of peak demand (between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily and during the summer months of June through September). Customers can use the price signals available through HSS to guide their energy use and potentially save money when compared to the standard rate. HSS customers are encouraged to check day-ahead prices.
For details, see the tariffs related to Rider HSS in the Rates section of our website.
Ameren Illinois residential customers can choose to pay an hourly price* that varies based on market supply and demand. Hourly prices are posted the preceding day to help customers make informed decisions about how and when they use energy and possibly save money.
Generally speaking, market prices are highest during times of peak demand (between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily and during the summer months of June through September). Customers are encouraged to check day-ahead prices to guide their energy use and potentially save money when compared to the standard BGS rate.
Residential electric customers may also choose Power Smart Pricing. This enhanced hourly pricing program provides personalized information and tools to help customers maximize their savings, including High Price Alerts and a Bill Comparison tool.
*Power supply is priced at hourly MISO Day-Ahead Locational Marginal Prices (LMP) and delivered by Ameren Illinois.
For details, see the tariffs related to Rider RTP and Rider PSP in the Rates section of our website.
When a customer is considering switching to a third-party supplier, the supplier will ask the customer for certain pieces of information (e.g. name, billing address, service address, Ameren Illinois account number).
If the customer is interested in switching to the supplier’s service, the customer should provide this information. Once a customer has agreed to switch to a supplier, the supplier will submit an electronic enrollment transaction to Ameren Illinois. If the enrollment transaction is accepted (i.e. it contains a valid account number), the account will be switched at the time of a meter read. Ameren Illinois is then authorized to release a range of customer data to that supplier, including the customer’s historic and ongoing electricity usage data.
Ameren Illinois will not accept personal information changes to a customer’s account from a Supplier unless the customer has signed an Agency Agreement designating the Supplier as the customer’s agent. The customer has 10 calendar days from the date that Ameren Illinois processes the supplier’s enrollment to contact Ameren Illinois to cancel the pending enrollment.
If a customer is unable to resolve an issue with Ameren Illinois or a supplier, the customer may contact the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) or the Illinois Attorney General.
Illinois Commerce Commission
1.800.524.0795
Illinois Attorney General
1.312.814.3000 (northern Illinois)
1.217.782.1090 (central and southern Illinois)