In the context of electricity, “power to choose” refers to the ability of consumers to select their retail electricity provider (REP) rather than being limited to the local utility’s default plan. This is applicable in deregulated electricity markets, where multiple companies compete to sell electricity to consumers.

Key aspects include:

1. Choice of Provider: Consumers can compare and select plans offered by different REPs, which can lead to lower electricity costs or plans that better meet their needs, such as those offering a higher percentage of renewable energy.

2. Deregulated Market: The power to choose is available only in deregulated markets, where the traditional monopoly model—where one utility controls both generation and delivery—has been dismantled.

3. Plan Selection: Consumers can choose electricity plans based on various factors such as price (fixed vs. variable rates), contract length, and the source of the electricity (renewable vs. non-renewable).