Orlando Utilities Commission Starts DemandLevel Pricing
Customers' electricity bills will now include a monthly demand charge alongside a lower per-kilowatt-hour rate under the new structure.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Utilities
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Orlando Utilities Commission began its new DemandLevel electricity pricing structure in November 2026, lowering the price per kilowatt-hour by 12.5% while adding a monthly demand charge of $5, $10 or $15. OUC says the plan is revenue-neutral, changing how customers are charged rather than the total amount collected.
Why it matters
The change ties what Orlando-area customers pay to their highest 15-minute stretch of electricity use each month, not just their total consumption. OUC says the goal is to encourage spreading electricity use across the day to keep costs lower to run and operate the grid.
The price per kilowatt-hour falls about 1 cent, or 12.5%, while monthly demand charges of $5, $10 or $15 apply based on each customer's highest 15-minute usage period. A proposed fuel rate decrease would save customers about $5 a month, or $3.3 million monthly across all OUC electric customers.
The players
Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)
OUC is the municipal electric and water utility serving Orlando, Florida, and is the entity introducing the DemandLevel pricing structure.
The details
Customers can review past and estimated demand through the My Usage dashboard at MyOUC.com and the My OUC Energy Coach tool. OUC advises staggering appliance use to keep demand charges lower and hosted in-person education sessions and town halls in October 2026, including one at the Engelwood Neighborhood Center.
Timeline
October 2026: OUC hosts community education sessions and town halls.
November 2026: The DemandLevel pricing structure begins for customers.
December 15: OUC Board meeting where a fuel rate decrease will be proposed.
April 2027: The proposed fuel rate decrease would take effect if approved.
Market Landscape
OUC's DemandLevel structure follows a demand-based billing approach that utilities increasingly use to tie customer charges to peak grid loads. OUC positions the change as revenue-neutral and compares its typical bill favorably with other Florida peer utilities.
Households that run large appliances at the same time may see higher demand charges, so spreading usage across the day can help keep bills in check. OUC estimates about half of customers will see their bills decrease, while the remainder could pay up to about $7 more per month.
The takeaway
Reviewing your usage on the My Usage dashboard and staggering appliance use can help lower the demand charge on your monthly bill. Rebates, payment-management options and efficiency programs are also available through OUC.
What happens next
The OUC Board will consider a proposed fuel rate decrease at its December 15 meeting, with an April 2027 effective date if approved.
Further reading
For broader context on how utilities set rates, explore the Utilities section.
More information
Customers can find OUC electricity bill assistance resources on the Orlando Utilities Commission website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKMG.
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Do you expect your electric bill to go down under the new OUC pricing?
