State Competitiveness: West Virginia

West Virginia allows PPAs.

State policy allows net metering up to an aggregated capacity limit of 3% of the utility’s annual peak demand.

West Virginia permits municipal ownership of utilities statewide, subject to certain requirements.

West Virginia has a state consumer advocate office that represents ratepayers.

West Virginia does not have an overall formal requirement for competitive solicitations, but does have a requirement for limited competitive procurement for renewables. About 100% of the state’s customers are in a wholesale market.

West Virginia participates in one wholesale market, PJM, covering approximately 100% of the state’s electricity customers.

West Virginia has at least one approved utility green tariff program. Among the state’s five largest utilities by commercial and industrial (C&I) electricity sales, those offering green tariffs account for about 32% of total C&I sales within this top-five group, indicating modest access for large customers.

Electricity generation in West Virginia is provided by a small number of power producers. The state has a generation concentration (HHI) score of 1,665, which is in the 1,000 to 1,800 range that signals a moderately concentrated market, suggesting some, but limited, competition.

West Virginia has statewide interconnection standards for investor-owned utilities, with a maximum size of 2MW for applicability of the rules.

West Virginia does not permit residential electricity customers retail provider choice.

West Virginia does not permit commercial electricity customers retail provider choice.

West Virginia's electric utility sector, including distribution utilities, is very highly concentrated. The state has a customer concentration (HHI) score of 3,373, which exceeds the 1,800 threshold that signals a highly concentrated market. This indicates that a small number of utilities serve customers across the state, suggesting limited competition.

West Virginia does not have a state policy allowing for CCA.

West Virginia participates in one wholesale market (PJM), with non-voting participation available in PJM (approximately 100% of the state’s customers), a limited level of civil society participation opportunity overall.

West Virginia participates in one wholesale market (PJM), with advisory state authority in PJM (approximately 100% of the state’s customers), a limited level of wholesale market state authority.