PPL default power rate will jump 10.31% on Dec. 1

PPL electricity customers in Pennsylvania will see their default supply rate rise to 14.428 cents per kWh on Dec. 1, pushing the average Allentown supply bill to about $135.77 a month. The increase comes as Pennsylvania utilities face higher wholesale power costs and consumers are urged to shop for fixed-rate plans before winter demand spikes.

Why it matters: - PPL customers on the utility’s default supply rate will pay more for every kilowatt-hour starting Dec. 1. - The higher rate will raise monthly bills for households that do not shop for an alternative supplier. - Winter heating demand can amplify the cost impact for homes that rely on electric heat. - Pennsylvania families are already facing pressure from higher food and fuel costs.

What happened: - PPL’s Price to Compare rises 10.31% on Dec. 1 to 14.428 cents per kWh. - The average PPL electric customer in Allentown uses 941 kWh per month. - That usage level would produce an average monthly supply charge of about $135.77. - PAEnergyRatings.com said that would be the highest average monthly energy supply bill in Pennsylvania. - Pennsylvania’s major electric utilities will see an average Price to Compare of 13.76 cents per kWh on Dec. 1.

The details: - PPL’s default rate was 9.502 cents per kWh in 2021. - The current increase means the PPL default rate has nearly doubled over five years. - The National Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates Pennsylvania ratepayers could spend $1,249 on electricity this winter. - That estimate is $103 higher than last winter’s $1,146. - PPL customers can shop for 12-month fixed-rate plans that are below the new Dec. 1 default rate. - Many of those plans would cut the average monthly supply charge by $5 or more. - The full release with rate comparisons and supporting data is available in the company’s announcement.

Between the lines: - The rate increase reflects higher wholesale power costs across the PJM Interconnection grid. - PJM wholesale costs rose 46% in early 2026 to $56.7 billion. - Energy supply costs were up 47%. - Capacity costs were up 139%. - Capacity costs help secure future power supply through PJM’s auction process. - PJM has been retiring older fossil-fuel generators faster than new generation has been added. - Grid-connection delays and rising demand from AI and data centers are also tightening supply conditions. - Karl Trollinger, CEO of Lumanex, said customers should consider choosing their own power supplier to avoid sudden price jumps. - Warmer fall weather also gives homeowners a chance to improve efficiency before winter, including sealing drafts and adding attic insulation.

What’s next: - PPL customers can lock in fixed rates before the Dec. 1 increase takes effect. - The next PPL Price to Compare rate begins June 1, 2027. - That future rate could rise again if it includes costs from the PJM Capacity Auction. - Customers who stay on the default rate will remain exposed to seasonal swings in power demand and wholesale prices.

The bottom line: - PPL’s December rate hike makes shopping for a fixed electricity plan more valuable heading into winter.