Base Power Launches in Chicagoland as Electricity Costs Surge, Cutting Customers’ Supply Bills 25% Below ComEd’s Fixed Rate

As electricity costs surge, Base's expansion brings Chicagoland homeowners a smarter way to power their homes, lower bills and keep the lights on if the grid goes down

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Base Power launched today across the Chicagoland area, bringing homeowners in ComEd’s service area a new way to lower electricity supply costs while adding whole-home backup power.

Base installs a battery in every participating home and uses the battery to reduce the cost to serve customers during peak-demand times when the grid is most stressed and power supply is increasingly scarce. In its offering to ComEd customers, Base members will get their energy supply at rates at least 25% below ComEd’s default supply rate. The battery also provides backup power for essential household equipment, including sump pumps, during outages like those many experienced during recent severe storms which left +400k without power.

The launch comes as homeowners across the Chicagoland area face rising electricity costs. Since the beginning of last year, ComEd’s supply rates have increased more than 50%, primarily driven by a shortage in capacity in the PJM market and escalating fuel prices. Supply charges make up more than half a typical ComEd customer’s bill.

"This is our first market outside Texas, and we chose Illinois," said Zach Dell, co-founder and CEO of Base Power. "Costs here are climbing fast and the grid is under real strain. Those are the exact conditions where a battery in every home does the most good, for the homeowner and for everyone on the grid."

Over the past three years, Base has scaled rapidly across Texas, powering more than 20,000 homes and raising over $1 billion to expand nationally. The Chicagoland area is the company's first market outside of Texas.

To support the launch and continued growth across the region, Base is opening a warehouse in Bloomingdale and is actively hiring electricians, warehouse associates, and field operations roles, with plans to add ~50 local jobs over the next year. Service is available now in communities across ComEd’s service area, including Plainfield, Arlington Heights, Rockford, Joliet, Palatine, Evanston, Oswego, and Mundelein, with additional areas expected to be added over time.

"Affordable whole [home] battery backup that pays for itself and more through lower energy bills! I’m so glad I heard about them coming from Texas to Illinois to be among the first to try their service. We recently lost power due to heavy storms and my Base backup battery system continued power with no issue. Very happy with their service and business model." - Omar B., Base Member, South Elgin

"As electricity costs continue to rise, we need solutions that help families lower bills while strengthening the reliability of our energy system. Products like Base Power can reduce strain on the grid during periods of high demand, improve resilience during outages, and help households better manage their energy costs. Expanding access to these tools is an important part of building a cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable energy future for Illinois," said Jennifer Walling, CEO, Illinois Environmental Council.

To celebrate its launch in the Chicagoland area, Base is offering the first 2,000 members whole-home backup battery installation for $95, with no ongoing battery fees, reduced from the standard $295 installation fee.

Interested homeowners can see if their home qualifies at BasePowerCompany.com/Illinois.

About Base Power

Founded in 2023 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Base Power is an energy company building a grid for the future, starting with battery-powered home energy. The company's mission is to advance human prosperity through energy abundance, delivering reliable and affordable power for all.