But according to the most recent figures, while industrial customers have embraced the opportunity to change their service, few residential consumers have. As few as 2 percent, or less than 200,000, of the roughly 8 million households in California have changed utilities. Around half of this two percent have opted for companies that supply power generated from so-called renewable energy sources. On the other hand, as many as 25 percent of companies and public facilities in California have already opted to change power suppliers.
Residential customers have been reluctant to change for several reasons, say observers.
The sheer complexity of the market is often enough to frighten customers off. Private customers still find it more convenient to receive just one monthly bill from their regular utility, which charges to distribute the power through its system of wires.