During the past decade the volume of customers switching to competitive electricity suppliers has grown at a very healthy pace. This fact may be surprising to many in light of the ongoing debate about the benefits of the competitive electricity model. But it is clear that customers are choosing to side with retail energy competition based on long-term industry switching trends. Those customers that have switched are experiencing the benefits of competition which include more innovative products and services, improved cost control and in many cases, savings on their energy bills. So what’s all the debate about?

The following are some trends reported by energy consulting firm DNV KEMA, which highlights these trends. Results are derived from their Q4 2012 Retail Energy Industry Outlook report.

• Since 2003, the number of electricity accounts with competitive suppliers has grown by 509% to more than 16.8 million accounts. The corresponding amount of competitive load has grown by 185%.
• During this time, competitive retail electricity account growth has increased for residential (by 518%) and non-residential (by 463%). The rate of residential adoption has accelerated during the latter part of the decade.
• The number of competitive electricity retail providers has grown to approximately 200 representing an unprecedented choice for customers in terms of suppliers, products and services.

Despite the impressive growth of competitive retail energy supply, only about one-third of U.S. customers are eligible to choose their electricity supplier. However, momentum continues to build. This April, California will expand its portion of its non-residential load to direct access competitive supply. Arizona is currently conducting a 200MW test of competitive supply for businesses. And Michigan is looking at the potential of lifting their cap on competitive load.

The numbers don’t lie. The long-term trend of the volume of customers choosing competitive electricity suppliers is unmistakable. I am hopeful that the future of electricity competition is bright for retail energy suppliers and customers.

So, how do you choose an energy retail supplier? Be sure to visit our blog again for that story, which is coming soon.