Reliant Energy
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
Area served | Texas |
| Products | Electricity supply (residential and commercial) |
| Parent | NRG Energy |
Reliant Energy Retail Holding, LLC is a Texas-based American energy firm operating primarily within the Texas electricity market, with its headquarters located in Houston.
History
Reliant Energy, a Houston-headquartered subsidiary of NRG Energy, ranks among the top electricity suppliers in Texas. It serves more than 1.5 million residential and commercial customers, delivering in excess of 23 million megawatt-hours annually.
Established in 2000, Reliant's retail electricity operations were acquired by NRG Energy in June 2009. At the time of acquisition, Reliant maintained a customer base of approximately 1.8 million, positioning it as the second-largest electric provider in the state. The retail brand continued under the Reliant Energy name, whereas the wholesale division was rebranded as RRI Energy before being phased out following later NRG mergers.
In 2010, Reliant was awarded a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Recovery Act to advance Smart Grid initiatives aimed at upgrading the nation’s electrical infrastructure.
During mid-2017, the Public Utility Commission of Texas documented 118 complaints against Reliant, which included 22 instances of slamming and 2 cases involving cramming violations.
Ratings and reviews
The Better Business Bureau assigns Reliant Energy a C rating, noting that the company received 240 complaints over a three-year period.
Deregulation of electricity in Texas
Since the deregulation of Texas’ electricity market on January 1, 2002, there have been 116 retail electric providers (REPs) operating across the state. Texas leads nationally with around 85% of its population able to select their electricity supplier, the highest proportion among eighteen states with deregulated markets.
Following deregulation, Transmission and Distribution Utilities (TDUs) oversee electricity delivery and are required to grant equal access to all REPs without discrimination. Reliant Energy competes against major players such as Direct Energy and TXU Corporation, servicing important regions including Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, Galveston, and Midland.
Renewable energy
Where supported by TDUs, Reliant provides options for solar and wind power, including programs allowing customers to sell back surplus energy they generate. In June 2013, Reliant entered into a renewable energy contract with the City of Houston to supply 140 MW of wind-generated electricity from 2013 through 2015, aligning with Houston’s goals for energy efficiency and increased use of renewables.