What is a TDU (utility) in Texas, and who delivers my power?
A TDU, short for transmission and distribution utility, owns or operates the poles and wires that deliver electricity to your address. Your retail electric provider sells you the electricity and bills you. Texas rules name the utility's charges "TDU delivery charges." Which TDU serves you depends on your address.
Two companies, two jobs
- The TDU (utility): owns or operates the poles and wires. Delivers the power.
- Your retail electric provider: sells you electricity. Bills you.
In the competitive areas of Texas you choose your retail provider. Some areas have no retail choice (see the map).
Who are the TDUs?
Examples include Oncor, CenterPoint Energy, AEP Texas, and Texas-New Mexico Power. This is a list of examples, not every utility. Our Texas utility map shows which utility serves an address.
Where to find it on your bill
Look for a line called "TDU delivery charges." That is the utility's charge for delivering power to you. Texas rules define it as its own bill term. If your provider groups charges together, ask for an itemization.
Example only. Made-up layout. Not a real bill. No amounts shown.
| Label on the bill | What it is |
|---|---|
| Your retail provider's name | The company that sells you electricity and bills you |
| TDU delivery charges | What the local utility charges for delivery |
Common Questions
How is a TDU different from a retail electric provider?
The TDU owns or operates the poles and wires. The retail provider sells you electricity and sends the bill. Different roles.
Why is there a delivery charge on my bill?
The utility charges for delivering power over its poles and wires. Texas rules define "TDU delivery charges" as a bill term, and your bill may show it as its own line.
Does the delivery charge change if I change retail providers?
Delivery charges follow the utility's own rate schedule, not your retail provider's.
Who do I contact in an outage?
Start with your utility, since it runs the poles and wires. Our Texas utility map shows which one serves an address. For an outage contact, use that utility's own website.
How do I find which utility serves my address?
Use the Texas utility map. You can also look up your ESID to find the number for your point of delivery.
Related Questions
- What are the base charge, energy charge, and delivery charges?
- What is an ESID (ESI ID) and where do I find it?
- How do I read my Texas electric bill?
Want to see what is on your own bill? Check my bill. Automated estimate from your uploaded bill. Not a substitute for your actual bill; details may be misread.
Sources
- 16 TAC §25.479, Issuance and Format of Bills (subsections (c)(2)(J) and (c)(4)), Public Utility Commission of Texas, retrieved 2026-10-05
- 16 TAC §25.5, Definitions ("Transmission and distribution utility (TDU)"), Public Utility Commission of Texas, retrieved 2026-10-05
- ERCOT Retail 101 (2026_03 Retail 101 training deck), Electric Reliability Council of Texas, retrieved 2026-10-05
- Transmission and Distribution Rates Now Available for Consumers on PUCT Website (press release, Sept. 3, 2025), Public Utility Commission of Texas, retrieved 2026-10-05