Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the nation’s largest public power, natural gas, and electric company, providing safe, reliable, and competitively-priced service to more than 970,000 electric and 390,000 natural gas customers in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties.
Our customers’ combined energy bills rank among the lowest of the nation’s 20 largest cities – while generating $10.1 billion in revenue for the City of San Antonio since 1942. As a trusted and strong community partner, we continuously focus on job creation, economic development, and educational investment.
We are powered by our skilled workforce, whose commitment to the community is demonstrated through our employees’ volunteerism in giving back to our city and programs aimed at bringing value to our customers.
Some highlights of our history:
1860 - The city's first light bulb, located in front of the post office in Alamo Plaza, ushered San Antonio into the modern era six months before Thomas Edison opened his first New York City power plant.
1942 - The City of San Antonio municipal government acquires the former San Antonio Public Service Company, later to be named City Public Service before becoming CPS Energy.
1950s - A commitment to innovation leads to the introduction of customer service by phone and the downtown area’s first streetlight system.
1960s - CPS Energy contributes infrastructure and power to many of San Antonio's most famous attractions, including Natural Bridge Caverns.
1970s - CPS Energy joins other Texas utilities on a jointly owned nuclear power project (today known as the South Texas Project). The opening of the new Deely plant, in the midst of the energy crisis, boosts production and saves ratepayers $125,000 in fuel costs.
1980s - The introduction of Project WARM kicks off fundraising efforts to help families in need pay winter utility bills.
1990s - New J.K. Spruce coal-fired power plant is built with more than $100 million worth of environmental regulation systems.
2010 - One of the nation's cleanest coal units, J.K. Spruce 2, begins operation with more than $250 million of the best available emissions-control equipment.
2012 - Rio Nogales, a combined-cycle natural gas plant in Seguin, is acquired as part of strategic plan to increase low carbon fuels, and to proactively save half-a-billion dollars by not investing in Deely, the oldest coal-fired unit.
2017 - CPS Energy celebrated 75 years of being owned by the City of San Antonio. October 24, 1942, marks the day that every citizen of San Antonio became the investors and direct benefactors of CPS Energy. The original purchase price was $34 million and the return on our community’s investment has been $7 billion and reliable and affordable power.
2019 - Our first energy efficiency and conservation plan, known as our Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP), hit our goal of saving 771 Megawatts (MW) by 2020 (roughly the equivalent of a large power plant). Thanks to our community’s participation and shared commitment, we exceeded our goal ahead of schedule and under budget.
2022 - The City of San Antonio authorized the new initiative titled the Sustainable Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP), which aims to reduce community demand by 410 MW, achieve 1% energy savings per year, weatherize 16,000 homes, and contribute to 1.85 million tons of avoided carbon over 5 years through equitable programs designed to help customers save energy and money.
TODAY - Our rich history continues as we make progress toward our Vision 2027 plan. Stay informed and see how we’re shaping the future of energy in our Progress toward Vision 2027.
