New York · City
Commercial electricity in Buffalo, New York
Which electric utilities serve businesses in Buffalo, what each charged commercial customers in EIA’s 2025 data, and where New York’s prices stand.
EIA lists 5 electric utilities in Erie County, which contains Buffalo. National Grid (Niagara Mohawk), the largest by commercial customers, averaged 15.21¢ per kWh for them in 2025. New York’s average commercial price was 22.28¢ per kWh over the 12 months to August 2026.
Source: EIA Form EIA-861 (2025) and Form EIA-861M; U.S. Census Bureau
Electric utilities serving Buffalo
These are the utilities EIA records in Erie County. EIA lists a utility in a county when it has customers anywhere in it, so this is everyone with a presence, ordered by commercial customers across New York, not a statement about any one address. Prices are EIA’s averages over all of each utility’s commercial customers: revenue divided by kWh.
| Utility | Type | Commercial customers in NY | Average commercial price, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Grid (Niagara Mohawk) | Investor-owned | 186,047 | 15.21¢ |
| New York State Electric & Gas | Investor-owned | 128,358 | 18.93¢ |
| Village of Akron | fewer than 500 commercial customers | ||
| Village of Arcade | fewer than 500 commercial customers | ||
| Village of Springville | fewer than 500 commercial customers |
Find the list for a single ZIP Code with the utility lookup, or set utilities side by side with the comparison tool.
What businesses in Buffalo pay
Across New York, businesses paid an average 22.28¢ per kWh over the 12 months to August 2026, 60.6% above the U.S. average of 13.87¢, and up 9.5% on the 12 months before. That ranks New York 7 of 51, where 1 is the highest price. In 2025 the average commercial account in the state used 5,127 kWh a month, about $1,075 a month at the state price; that is a mean pulled up by a few very large users, so most small businesses use less.
A city has no price of its own: two businesses on the same street can pay very different amounts per kWh, because the rate schedule, the size of the peak and, where it is allowed, the supply contract matter more than the location. The New York page has the state’s price history since 2010 and every utility with at least 500 commercial customers.
Choosing a supplier in Buffalo
New York commercial accounts may purchase supply from an energy services company while the utility continues delivery under regulated tariffs. Rules differ between mass-market and commercial and industrial accounts, so eligibility is confirmed per account.
Where prices are heading
EIA does not forecast single states. For the Middle Atlantic census division, which includes New York, its November 2026 Short-Term Energy Outlook puts the average commercial price at 18.92¢ per kWh for 2026 and 19.20¢ for 2027, up 9.3% from 17.57¢ in 2025. The forecast for every region.
About Buffalo
The Census Bureau estimates Buffalo had 274,613 residents on July 1, 2025, down 1.1% from 277,750 in 2020. It lies in Erie County.
Other cities in New York
Common questions
- Who provides electricity to businesses in Buffalo?
- EIA lists National Grid (Niagara Mohawk), New York State Electric & Gas, Village of Akron and Village of Arcade and 1 more as electric utilities in Erie County. Which one serves a given address depends on the street; the utility on an existing bill is the definitive answer, and a utility can confirm service for a new site.
- What is the average commercial electricity rate in Buffalo?
- There is no official figure for a city. EIA publishes prices by state and by utility: National Grid (Niagara Mohawk) averaged 15.21¢ per kWh for its commercial customers in 2025, and New York averaged 22.28¢ over the 12 months to August 2026. A business’s own price depends on its rate schedule, its demand and, where it can choose, its supply contract.
- Can a business in Buffalo choose its electricity supplier?
- New York commercial accounts may purchase supply from an energy services company while the utility continues delivery under regulated tariffs. Rules differ between mass-market and commercial and industrial accounts, so eligibility is confirmed per account. The state page for New York explains how it works and who regulates it.
Averages describe Buffalo; a bill describes your business. A person can read yours: rate schedule, demand, riders, contract window. Nobody calls unless you ask.