What is a TDSP?

You may have come across this acronym while searching for a Retail Electricity Provider (REP). A TDSP, or Transmission and Distribution Service Provider, is more commonly known as “the wire and pole company.” They are responsible for transmitting electricity across a network of telephone poles, high voltage lines, and transformers, as well as maintaining these items in order to get electricity to a home or business. A TDSP also documents the kilowatt hours (kWh) consumed by a home or business and reports that to the REP.

How Electricity is Delivered

Electricity is initially generated at low voltages, but is then converted to high voltage so that it can be transmitted over long distances using high tension lines. Tension lines are the tall, silver power lines. Once the high voltage electricity reaches an electrical substation, it is reverted to a lower voltage before being transmitted through power lines on telephone poles. Finally, it travels to a transformer, where its voltage is further reduced, before ultimately going to a home or business. If the voltage was not reduced, it could damage appliances, electronics, and wiring inside the building, which would also pose a major fire hazard.

Your REP will add charges to your electric bill to cover the costs put forth by your TDSP. Also, in the event of a blackout, TDSPs are responsible for getting the power back on. In the event of a blackout, it is important that you contact your TDSP and not your REP. The following is a list of Texas based TDSPs and the cities they serve.

CenterPoint Energy

Angleton, Alvin, Cypress, Galveston, Houston, Pasadena and Richmond.

Oncor

Addison, Corsicana, Chandler, Dallas, Denison, Denton, Diboll, Fort Worth, Midland, Odessa, Palestine, Paris, Plano, Tyler and Wichita Falls.

AEP North

Abilene, Alpine, San Angelo and Vernon.

AEP Central

Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, San Benito and Victoria.

TNMP (Texas-New Mexico Power)

The Gulf Coast cities of Angleton, Brazoria, West Columbia, Sweeny, Alvin, Friendswood, Dickinson, League City, La Marque and Texas City. The northern and central cities of Detroit, Bogata, Emory, Whitewright, Leonard, Farmersville, Pilot Point, Princeton, Lewisville, Nocona, Petrolia, Olney, Bryson, Strawn, Glen Rose, Hico, Hamilton, Meridian, Clifton, Whitney, Valley Mills and Gatesville. The western cities of Kermit, Pecos, Fort Stockton and Sanderson