Learn More About Our Electric Rate Categories for Businesses
GRU has several commercial electric rate categories to better serve our business customers. The most cost-effective rate for each customer depends on two factors: energy usage, measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), and electric demand, measured in kilowatts (kW).
- Energy usage is the total amount of electricity consumed by a customer during the billing cycle.
- Electric demand is an instantaneous measurement indicating the amount of electricity a customer is using at any given time. GRU measures average demand in 30-minute intervals and bills for the maximum 30-minute interval during each billing cycle.
Download our Electric Rates Sheet for details on each rate type
Business Rate Types
General Service, Non-Demand Rate
With this rate, customers are billed for energy usage, but not electric demand.
- Intended for businesses whose electric demand is less than 50 kW.
- Typical customers include small offices, retail stores and other businesses that do not use a large amount of energy at any given time.
Customers whose demand is less than 50 kW for 12 consecutive months are placed on the Non-Demand rate. These customers may choose to switch to the General Service, Demand rate if they think it will be more economical for their business (see below for more information).
General Service, Demand Rate
With this rate, customers are billed for both energy usage and electric demand.
- Intended for businesses whose electric demand is between 50 kW and 999 kW.
- Typical customers include mid- to large-sized standalone businesses, restaurants, mid-sized manufacturers and other businesses demanding larger amounts of energy at certain times.
- This rate may also benefit customers whose demand is less than 50 kW, but who average more than 7,300 kWh energy usage per billing cycle, such as convenience stores, coffee shops and other businesses with extended operating hours.
- Customers on this rate will be billed for their actual peak electric demand or a minimum of 35 kW, whichever is greater.
Customers whose demand is between 50 kW and 999 kW will automatically be placed on the Demand rate. Non-Demand customers whose demand is less than 50 kW, but who think they may benefit from switching to the Demand rate, can contact GRU at 352-393-1460 for a review of their usage history. Non-Demand customers must complete a General Service, Demand Supplemental Agreement and agree to any applicable fees to opt in to the Demand rate.
Large Power Service Rate
With this rate, customers are billed for both energy usage and electric demand.
- Intended for customers whose electric demand is 1,000 kW or greater.
- Typical customers include hospitals, very large standalone facilities, campuses with multiple buildings and large manufacturers.
Customers who maintain a peak electric demand of at least 1,000 kW on a 12-month rolling average will automatically be placed on the Large Power Service rate.
Other Business Rates
Time-of-Use Rate
This rate rewards business customers for using electricity during off-peak hours by charging a lower energy rate for overnight, weekend and holiday usage, and a higher rate for weekday usage. Businesses such as 24/7 superstores and industrial plants with night and weekend shifts may benefit from this rate type. Customers must complete a General Service Time-of-Use Supplemental Agreement for Demand or the Supplemental Agreement for Non-Demand, and agree to any applicable fees to opt in to the Time-of-Use rate.
Time-of-Demand Rate
This rate is for customers who use a small amount of electricity during the billing cycle, but demand a large amount of energy during certain off-peak periods. It allows institutions such as churches to remain on the General Service, Non-Demand rate as long as they stay below the 50 kW electric demand threshold during peak hours. For billing purposes, peak hours are weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Customers must complete a General Service, Time-of-Demand Supplemental Agreement and agree to any applicable fees to opt in to the Time-of-Demand rate.
Economic Development Rate
GRU offers discounted base rates for new and expanding businesses who use a minimum of 100,000 kWh energy per billing cycle and meet other conditions.
Learn more about the Economic Development Rate.
Learn More
For more information about business rates, please contact Energy and Business Services at 352-393-1460.