Ameren Illinois Electric Rates
15.5¢/kWh and Climbing
Ameren Illinois residential rates have increased +94% since 2021. ICC-approved rate hikes and a 22x MISO capacity auction spike mean rates aren't coming back down. Here's the full breakdown — and what you can do about it.
Current Ameren IL Rate Breakdown
Your Ameren bill has two main components: supply (the electricity itself) and delivery (getting it to your home). Both keep going up.
Supply Rate
8.769¢/kWh
First 800 kWh (base rate)
Delivery Rate
4.572¢/kWh
Non-summer — jumps to 6.695¢ in summer
All-In Average Rate
15.5¢/kWh
Annual weighted average
Summer All-In Rate
20.0¢/kWh
June – September
Fixed Monthly Charges (before you use a single kWh):
That's $174/year you pay Ameren before consuming any electricity. These charges have increased multiple times and are expected to rise again.
Ameren Illinois Rate History (2019–2026)
All-in residential rate per kWh. Monthly bill estimate based on 1,000 kWh usage.
| Year | Rate (¢/kWh) | ~Monthly Bill | What Happened |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 8¢ | $80 | Stable rates — pre-pandemic baseline |
| 2020 | 8.2¢ | $82 | Minimal change during COVID |
| 2021 | 9¢ | $90 | Rates begin climbing post-pandemic |
| 2022 | 9.5¢ | $95 | Post-COVID recovery, supply chain inflation |
| 2023 | 11¢ | $110 | ICC rate case approved — delivery charges jump |
| 2024 | 13¢ | $130 | ICC approves $308.6M delivery rate increase |
| 2025 | 14.5¢ | $145 | $48.4M grid modernization surcharge added |
| 2026NOW | 15.5¢ | $155 | MISO capacity auction 22x shock hits bills |
Sources: CUB 2026 Rate Guide, ICC docket filings, EIA state electricity data, MISO auction results. Ameren Illinois serves central and southern Illinois on the MISO grid (separate from ComEd/PJM in northern IL).
Why Ameren Illinois Rates Keep Rising
Multiple forces are driving Ameren rates higher — and none of them are temporary.
MISO Capacity Auction: 22x Price Spike
The MISO 2025–26 capacity auction cleared at $666.50/MW-day — a 22x increase from the prior year's $30/MW-day. This is the single largest cost driver hitting Ameren bills right now. MISO manages the power grid for central and southern Illinois, and these capacity costs get passed directly to every Ameren residential customer.
ICC-Approved $308.6M Rate Increase
In December 2024, the Illinois Commerce Commission approved a $308.6 million delivery rate increase for Ameren Illinois. This covers infrastructure investment, system maintenance, and operational costs — all passed directly to ratepayers through higher delivery charges on every bill.
MISO Reserve Margin Collapse
MISO's reserve margin has dropped from 6.5 GW to 2.6 GW in just two years. The grid operator projects capacity shortfalls as early as 2031 in Ameren's territory. As the supply cushion shrinks, capacity costs rise — and those costs flow directly into your monthly bill. This structural problem will take years and billions of dollars to resolve.
$48.4M Grid Modernization Surcharge
On top of the $308.6M rate increase, the ICC approved an additional $48.4 million reconciliation increase in December 2025 for grid modernization. Smart meters, distribution upgrades, and storm hardening all cost money — and Ameren recovers every dollar through your delivery charges.
Coal Plant Retirements Without Replacement
Illinois's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act mandates coal plant closures, but replacement generation capacity isn't being built fast enough. The MISO region is losing reliable baseload power without equivalent new capacity coming online — tightening supply, raising auction prices, and putting upward pressure on rates for years to come.
Ameren Rate Projections: 2026–2035
Based on 6% annual escalation — conservative given that actual increases have averaged 12%+ per year since 2021. Starting from a $135/month bill today.
| Year | Projected Rate | ~Monthly Bill | Extra vs Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026NOW | 15.5¢/kWh | $135 | -- |
| 2027 | 16.4¢/kWh | $143 | +$8/mo |
| 2028 | 17.4¢/kWh | $152 | +$17/mo |
| 2029 | 18.5¢/kWh | $161 | +$26/mo |
| 2030 | 19.6¢/kWh | $170 | +$35/mo |
| 2031 | 20.7¢/kWh | $181 | +$46/mo |
| 2032 | 22¢/kWh | $192 | +$57/mo |
| 2033 | 23.3¢/kWh | $203 | +$68/mo |
| 2034 | 24.7¢/kWh | $215 | +$80/mo |
| 2035 | 26.2¢/kWh | $228 | +$93/mo |
10-Year Cumulative Cost of Doing Nothing
$21,360
Total electricity cost 2026–2035 at 6% annual escalation on a $135/mo starting bill
Fix Your Rate With Solar
Ameren Rate (Rising)
15.5¢
Projected 23¢+ by 2035
Solar Lease Rate (Avg.)
~10¢
Fixed for 15 years, no escalator
A $0 down solar lease locks your rate at ~10¢/kWh (avg.) for 15 years — no annual escalator, no surprises. While Ameren rates climb past 20¢, 23¢, and beyond, your solar rate stays the same. After the 15-year lease, purchase the system at a low fair-market value and pay $0/month for the remaining 10–15 years of panel life.
The Math on a Typical Ameren Home:
- ✕Ameren for 15 years: ~$135/mo now, rising to ~$200/mo = roughly $29,000+ total
- ✓Solar lease for 15 years: ~$100/mo fixed (incl. battery) = roughly $18,000 total
- ✓After 15 years: Buy out the system for pennies on the dollar, then pay $0/mo for 10-15 more years
You stay connected to Ameren for net metering and backup power. Solar replaces most or all of your supply charges — the fixed monthly customer/meter charges ($14.51/mo) still apply.
See YOUR Actual Numbers
Upload your Ameren Illinois bill to see what electricity is costing you — and project your costs over the next 10–30 years vs. a fixed solar rate.
Analyze My Ameren Bill →Ameren Illinois Rates FAQ
Ameren Illinois Territory — City Solar Guides
Ameren Illinois serves ~1.1 million residential customers across central and southern Illinois. Find your city for localized solar savings data and rate analysis.
Stop Paying More Every Year
Every month you stay on Ameren's rising rates, you pay more than you need to. A $0 down solar lease fixes your rate at $0.10/kWh (avg.) for 15 years — from day one.
✓ $0 down • Fixed ~10¢/kWh (avg.) for 15 years • Battery included
Ameren intends to file another rate increase in 2026. Lock in your fixed rate now.