NEC Co-op Energy Plans, Rates and Reviews

Nueces Electric Cooperative (NEC) is a Texas electricity provider with a unique business structure. Founded in 1938, NEC was originally an electric cooperative, serving various counties located south and west of Corpus Christi. When Texas deregulated its energy market in 2002, all electric cooperatives remained regulated companies with no provider choice. However, in 2004, NEC became the first and only electric cooperative to enter the deregulated market voluntarily. This resulted in two important changes:

• NEC continued operating as the utility in its original service area, but residents were allowed to choose other electricity providers.
• NEC Co-op Energy was established in 2005 as a retail electricity provider, serving both the original NEC territory and other deregulated areas across Texas.

You can purchase electricity from NEC Co-op Energy in all deregulated areas, but you only receive delivery service from the original NEC if you live within its service territory. For example, if you choose NEC Co-op Energy in Houston, the delivery service is offered by the local utility, CenterPoint Energy, not NEC.

NEC Co-op Energy offers a single variable-rate plan throughout Texas, which means its rates are updated monthly. At Home Energy Club, we don’t usually recommend variable-rate plans due to their unpredictable bills. However, NEC Co-op Energy often provides competitive pricing, rarely exceeding 16 cents per kWh and sometimes dropping below 12 cents per kWh. In our review of dozens of light companies in Texas, NEC Co-op earned very high marks, with a 4.7 out of 5 stars.

NEC Co-op Energy Plans and Rates in Texas

NEC Co-op Energy offers the Residential Variable with No Contract plan in all deregulated areas of Texas. Although the company offers a single plan option, its pricing varies depending on the season and utility service area.

NEC Co-op Energy Plans and Rates in Houston

NEC Co-op Energy offers a rate of 15.1 cents per kWh in Houston as of May 2025, based on ZIP code 77077 and a monthly usage of 1,000 kWh. This rate is very close to the Texas average of 15.30 cents per kWh, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in March 2025.

Below is a summary of NEC Co-op Energy rates in Houston from May 2024 to May 2025. Although the company offers variable monthly pricing, rates have remained below 15 cents per kWh, even during peak summer months.

The rates above are for a home using 1,000 kWh per month in the 77077 ZIP code in Houston. The prices are accurate as of May 2025.

NEC Co-op Energy Plans and Rates in Dallas

As of May 2025, NEC Co-op Energy charges 15.9 cents per kWh in Dallas, based on a home using 1,000 kWh per month in ZIP code 75217. While this figure is slightly above the Texas average of 14.89 cents per kWh, it remains competitive — many providers in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex charge over 17 cents per kWh.

You can check NEC Co-op Energy rates in Dallas from April 2024 to April 2025. Despite its variable pricing, NEC has kept its rates below 16 cents per kWh, even during summer:

The rates above are for a home using 1,000 kWh per month in the 75001 ZIP code in Dallas. The prices are accurate as of May 2025.

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NEC Co-op Energy Plan Types and Guarantees

NEC Co-op offers a single variable-rate plan in all deregulated areas of Texas. While many similar plans have seasonal price spikes of over 20 cents per kWh, the NEC plan stands out for its stable pricing with occasional discounts. As a not-for-profit cooperative, NEC focuses on keeping rates affordable for both residential and commercial customers. The company also offers the following benefits:

• Member ownership: If you remain with NEC Co-op Energy for at least one year, you receive a portion of its annual profits.
• Military discounts: These are available for both active-duty personnel and veterans.
• Referral program: You earn $50 for each successful customer referral.
• No cancellation fees: Since the NEC variable-rate plan has no contract, you can switch anytime without paying an early termination fee (ETF).
• Solar buyback program: If you own a home solar system, NEC can purchase your excess generation at a base rate of 4.75 cents per kWh.

NEC Co-op Energy also manages several community programs, including a bill payment assistance program for customers in financial need and charity donations.

Our Take on NEC Co-op Energy

NEC Co-op Energy offers a single variable-rate electricity plan. While the company doesn’t offer fixed rates, its variable prices typically stay within the same range as most fixed-rate plans in the market. NEC Co-op Energy can be an attractive option for customers who want a flexible plan with no cancellation fees and who are comfortable with some monthly price variations.

• NEC receives positive feedback for offering affordable rates in urban and rural areas, while many providers charge higher rates in less populated regions.
• Customers also appreciate that NEC operates as a cooperative, keeping rates low and sharing profits with long-term members.

NEC Co-op Energy earns 4.7 out of 5 stars in our review of dozens of Texas electricity providers. We developed our provider rating system using our February 2025 energy survey of 1,600 residential electricity users across Texas, assessing providers across key customer-focused categories. While there were few NEC customers in our survey, their feedback was very positive.

Below, you can check its ratings and see how they compare to the average for other providers we reviewed.

Pros and Cons

Every light company has its pros and cons. We recommend considering both the good and the bad before signing up with any energy company.

NEC Co-op Energy Reviews and Ratings

NEC Co-op Energy scores 5 out of 5 stars with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and 3.6 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews as of May 2025. While accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it has no customer reviews on the platform.

NEC customers who participated in our February 2025 survey had largely positive things to say about NEC Co-op, which is why it earned a 4.7 out of 5 stars in our review.

What Customers Like

• Affordable rates statewide: NEC customers appreciate its affordable rates even in rural areas, where many electricity providers tend to charge higher prices.
• Profit sharing: NEC also receives positive feedback for sharing profits with customers who stay with the company for at least 12 months.
• Good customer service: Many positive reviews highlight its helpful customer service representatives.

What Customers Don’t Like

• Strict credit score requirements: Some negative reviews suggest that NEC requires a high credit score before accepting new customers.
• Unpredictable rates: Although its variable rate is relatively stable, NEC has received complaints for unexpected price hikes.

NEC Co-Op Energy vs. Other Energy Companies

Here we compare NEC Co-op Energy with TXU Energy and Gexa Energy — two leading electricity providers with high scores in our ranking system. While TXU and Gexa offer a much broader selection of electricity plans, they charge higher rates than NEC on average. In addition, TXU and Gexa reserve their best features for plans with established contract terms, while NEC offers various customer perks without this requirement.

NEC Co-op Energy Overview

Founded in 1938, Nueces Electric Cooperative (NEC) is among the oldest electricity companies in Texas. The NEC Co-op Energy business unit was created in 2004, shortly after Texas deregulated its electricity sector. NEC Co-op offers affordable rates in the original NEC territory and statewide. While NEC Co-op Energy has a single variable-rate plan, its rates tend to be lower than many providers with multiple plan options.

• Customer Portal: https://neccoopenergy.com/
• Phone Number: 361-767-3865
• Year Founded: 2004
• Parent Company: Nueces Electric Cooperative
• Official Address: 5017 Saratoga Blvd. Unit 135, Corpus Christi, Texas 78413

Where Is NEC Co-op Energy Available?

Hundreds of electricity providers compete for customers across Texas. However, the physical power grid is divided into six service areas, each with a single transmission and distribution utility (TDU) in charge of operation and maintenance. While you can choose your electricity provider, your utility, or “poles and wires” company, varies based on location.

NEC Co-op Energy operates as a retail electricity provider in all six service areas:

• AEP Central: Corpus Christi, McAllen, Victoria, Laredo and Harlingen
• AEP North: Abilene, San Angelo and Vernon
• CenterPoint Energy: Houston, Katy and Beaumont
• Lubbock Power & Light: Lubbock
• Oncor Electric: Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Waco, Arlington, Temple, Round Rock, Midland and Odessa
• Texas-New Mexico Power: League City, Glen Rose, Pecos and Angleton

In its original service territory southwest of Corpus Christi, NEC is both a retail electricity provider and the local “poles and wires” company. You can choose other companies to supply your electricity, but only NEC provides the delivery service.

Who Should Pick NEC Co-op Energy?

NEC Co-op Energy offers affordable monthly rates, combined with various customer perks. Below are the customer types most likely to benefit from NEC’s flexible plan structure:

1) Rural Area Residents

NEC Co-op Energy offers competitive rates statewide, making it a viable option for customers in smaller towns and other remote areas, where traditional providers tend to charge more.

2) Customers Who Want a Simple Plan

The NEC variable-rate plan stands out for its simplicity and transparency. We typically don’t recommend variable-rate plans, as the changing rates can lead to confusion. However, NEC’s historic rates stay relatively competitive, despite being variable.

3) Customers Starting a New Plan in Summer

Summer is usually the most expensive time to shop for electricity plans, since market rates increase due to the high demand from air conditioners. But if you can’t avoid a summer switch, NEC Co-op Energy may be helpful. You won’t get locked into a long-term contract, and its rates tend to stay reasonable, even in summer heatwaves.

4) Frequent Plan Switchers

If you’re constantly monitoring electricity rates and switching plans, NEC gives you the flexibility to do it, without the hassle of contracts or cancellation fees. You can stay with NEC while its rates are low, but you’re free to switch whenever you find a better deal.

How To Get Started with NEC Co-op Energy

Signing up with NEC Co-op Energy is a simple and straightforward process, since the Residential Variable with No Contract plan is the only option. You can start the process by visiting the NEC website and providing your ZIP code, which will display the rate available for your exact location. To enroll, simply click the “SIGN-UP NOW” button and provide the requested information, including your contact details and address.

If you own a solar panel system, you can also enroll in the NEC Renewable Generation Buyback program. However, you can only participate after the local utility approves your home solar system. Your property will need a bi-directional power meter. After meeting these requirements, you must download the Distributed Generation Buyback Agreement and email the completed form to help@neccoopenergy.com.

Contacting NEC Co-op Energy

NEC Co-op Energy provides the following communication channels:

• Payment phone: 855-632-7348
• Customer service phone: 361-767-3865 or 855-632-7348
• Email: info@neccoopenergy.com
• Website: https://neccoopenergy.com/contact-us/

In the event of a power outage, contact your local utility company, not your utility provider. If you live in the Nueces Electric Cooperative service territory, NEC is responsible for the local power grid, and you can contact them directly.

Moving or Transferring Service with NEC Co-op Energy

If you’re an NEC Co-op Energy customer moving to a new address, you can request a service transfer by phone, email or online form. 

• Just provide your account details, new address and service start date.
• NEC can usually process requests in one to three business days. However, we recommend submitting your service transfer once you have a move-in date.

You can only transfer your electricity service if your new address is within a deregulated location. If you’re moving to a regulated city, such as Austin or San Antonio, there is a single electricity provider — you can no longer use the NEC Co-op Energy plan.

Is NEC Co-op Energy Right For You?

NEC Co-op Energy may suit your needs if you’re looking for an affordable electricity rate and are comfortable with monthly price variations. In exchange for not getting a fixed rate, NEC offers you the flexibility to switch plans anytime — there is no minimum contract term or ETF. NEC offers this benefit with a variable-rate plan that usually stays below 16 cents per kWh, while similar plans from competitors often exceed 20 cents per kWh.

While NEC offers a solar buyback plan, its compensation rate is low. If you want to maximize your solar panel investment, you may want to look for a provider with a higher solar buyback rate — TXU Energy and Green Mountain Energy are both viable options.

Also, NEC Co-op does not offer prepaid electricity plans, 100% green energy options or discounted EV charging rates. You must choose another provider if you’re looking for any of these features.

Frequently Asked Questions about NEC Co-op Energy

How We Rate and Review Texas Electricity Companies

With dozens of providers and hundreds of plans available in the deregulated Texas market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We created a comprehensive rating methodology to help you cut through the complexity and find the best electricity plan for your needs, whether you’re moving to Texas or looking to switch providers.

We’ve researched dozens of Texas electricity providers and scored them out of 5 stars based on results from our 2025 energy survey of 1,600 Texans, scoring providers on customer satisfaction, experience and retention. Here’s how these core factors weighed into our ratings:

• Customer satisfaction (30%)
• Customer retention (30%)
• Online experience (20%)
• Customer experience (20%)