The price of a kWh for a Chilean household is not a single number: it changes with the city, the distribution company and how much you consume. In cities served by CGE, residential electricity (BT1 tariff) costs between CLP 240.83 and CLP 285.56 per kWh since October 1, 2026, plus a fixed charge of CLP 1,071.14 a month, according to CGE's official tariff sheet. In Puente Alto, the tariff sheet of Empresa Eléctrica Puente Alto in force since August gives CLP 261.79 per kWh and a fixed charge of CLP 1,925.15 (see tariff sheet).
All these figures include 19% VAT, except the public service charge. Here is the table by city and how to calculate your bill.
Price per kWh by city (October 2026)
The table shows the BT1 price per kWh for a household within the first tier (annual average of up to 200 kWh a month and monthly consumption of up to 350 kWh). It is obtained by adding the transmission, public service, energy, capacity purchase and distribution charges in CGE's tariff sheet in force since October 1, 2026:
| City | Utility | Price per kWh | Bill for 150 kWh | Bill for 200 kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talagante, Peñaflor and Calera de Tango | CGE | CLP 240.83 | CLP 37,196 | CLP 49,237 |
| San Antonio and San Fernando | CGE | CLP 246.87 | CLP 38,101 | CLP 50,444 |
| Rancagua, Curicó, Talca, Concepción, Talcahuano, Buin and Melipilla | CGE | CLP 255.27 | CLP 39,361 | CLP 52,124 |
| Ovalle | CONAFE (CGE group) | CLP 255.91 | CLP 39,457 | CLP 52,253 |
| Puente Alto (August sheet) | Empresa Eléctrica Puente Alto | CLP 261.79 | CLP 41,194 | CLP 54,284 |
| Linares and Cartagena | CGE | CLP 265.02 | CLP 40,825 | CLP 54,076 |
| Copiapó | EMELAT (CGE group) | CLP 266.49 | CLP 41,045 | CLP 54,369 |
| Iquique | ELIQSA (CGE group) | CLP 266.57 | CLP 41,056 | CLP 54,385 |
| Antofagasta and Calama | ELECDA (CGE group) | CLP 270.17 | CLP 41,596 | CLP 55,104 |
| La Serena and Coquimbo | CONAFE (CGE group) | CLP 270.99 | CLP 41,719 | CLP 55,268 |
| Arica | EMELARI (CGE group) | CLP 275.77 | CLP 42,437 | CLP 56,226 |
| Chillán and Temuco | CGE | CLP 275.87 | CLP 42,452 | CLP 56,246 |
| Los Ángeles | CGE | CLP 285.56 | CLP 43,905 | CLP 58,183 |
The bill adds the monthly fixed charge to the kWh consumed multiplied by the price per kWh. These are reference amounts for the base tier: if you consume more, charges go up, as explained below.
This article does not include the tariffs of Enel Distribución, Chilquinta or Saesa, because we could not verify their October tariff sheets. Each utility publishes its tariff sheet on its website, and the charges are added the same way.
What charges make up the price per kWh
The Puente Alto tariff sheet in force since August 2026 shows the full breakdown (VAT included, except public service):
| Charge (Puente Alto tariff sheet, August 2026) | Value |
|---|---|
| Monthly fixed charge | CLP 1,925.15 per customer |
| Energy charge | CLP 158.363 per kWh |
| Capacity purchase charge | CLP 37.084 per kWh |
| Base capacity charge (distribution) | CLP 45.002 per kWh |
| Subtotal "electricity consumed" | CLP 240.449 per kWh |
| Transmission system charge | CLP 20.489 per kWh |
| Public service charge (no VAT) | CLP 0.855 per kWh |
| Total per kWh | CLP 261.79 |
- Energy: the cost of generating electricity. It depends on contracts distribution companies signed in public tenders.
- Capacity purchases: the cost of securing available generation capacity at peak hours.
- Distribution: the cost of the poles, cables and transformers in your neighborhood. That is why it varies between cities.
- Transmission: use of the high-voltage lines that bring energy from power plants.
- Public service: funds the grid operator and other sector bodies.
Why electricity costs more per kWh if you use more
CGE's October 2026 tariff sheet includes two segmentations that raise the price per kWh for higher consumers:
- Distribution based on the previous year's average consumption: the charge rises across six tiers, from homes averaging up to 200 kWh a month to those averaging more than 240 kWh. In Rancagua, for example, the distribution charge goes from CLP 33.652 to CLP 39.821 per kWh.
- Additional payment on the public service charge based on monthly consumption: the sheet sets five tiers, with thresholds at 350, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 kWh a month.
| Monthly consumption (CGE sheet, October 2026) | Public service charge per kWh |
|---|---|
| Up to 350 kWh | CLP 0.855 |
| More than 350 and up to 500 kWh | CLP 1.778 |
| More than 500 and up to 1,000 kWh | CLP 2.931 |
| More than 1,000 and up to 5,000 kWh | CLP 3.738 |
| More than 5,000 kWh | CLP 4.084 |
Why the price differs between cities
Two charges explain almost all of the difference. The first is transmission: the Talagante area pays CLP 20.489 per kWh, while most CGE cities pay CLP 31.512. The second is distribution: in rural areas or places with longer networks, maintaining poles and cables costs more per customer. That is why Los Ángeles, with CLP 103.85 per kWh between capacity and distribution, ends up as the most expensive city in the table.
How much electricity prices rose in 2026
Since July 1, 2026, bills have risen by an average of 4.9% nationwide, according to the National Energy Commission (CNE): 2.1% from generation and 2.8% from transmission. In the longer term, the price of energy will depend on new supply tenders, as we explain in the CNE's report on supply until 2029.
How to lower your electricity bill
- Find out which appliances use the most: the refrigerator can account for a large share of consumption.
- Choose efficient appliances: the energy efficiency label shows annual consumption in kWh.
- Watch your heating and cooling: an air conditioner can add tens of thousands of pesos a month, as we calculate in how much an air conditioner uses.
- Generate your own energy: with panels and net billing you can offset or sell energy; see what a home solar kit includes.
Does your company offer energy-saving solutions for homes? Advertise on Energía Futura.
See advertising optionsExample: how to calculate your bill step by step
Take a household in Rancagua that used 180 kWh in the month and averaged under 200 kWh a month the previous year:
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fixed charge | Monthly fixed charge | CLP 1,071.14 |
| 2. Consumption | 180 kWh × CLP 255.27 | CLP 45,948.60 |
| 3. Approximate total | CLP 1,071.14 + CLP 45,948.60 | ~CLP 47,020 |
The actual bill may include other items, such as interest, payment plan installments or other charges itemized by the utility on the same bill.
BT1 and other tariffs: which one you have
| Tariff | For whom | How it charges |
|---|---|---|
| BT1 | Most households | Fixed charge plus a price per kWh |
| BT2 and BT3 | Customers who contract or meter capacity | Add charges for contracted or measured capacity |
| BT4 | Customers with time-of-use metering | Distinguish consumption at peak hours |
If you are an ordinary household with a traditional meter, you are almost certainly on BT1. The tariff is printed on your bill.
How much you are paid for the energy you export
If you have solar panels with net billing, the energy you export to the grid also has a price. In the August 2026 Puente Alto tariff sheet, each exported kWh is valued at CLP 107.750, excluding VAT. That is less than half of what it costs to buy a kWh, so the best approach is to use solar energy at the moment it is generated. We explain how in what a home solar kit includes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kWh cost in Chile in 2026?
Between CLP 240.83 and CLP 285.56 in cities served by CGE since October 1, 2026 (BT1 tariff, first tier, VAT included), plus a fixed charge of CLP 1,071.14.
How much does a kWh cost in Puente Alto?
CLP 261.79 according to the Empresa Eléctrica Puente Alto tariff sheet in force since August 2026, with a fixed charge of CLP 1,925.15.
Why does the price per kWh vary between cities?
Because of transmission and distribution charges, which depend on the area and the network that serves each city.
How much does a household using 200 kWh pay?
Between about CLP 49,000 and CLP 58,000 a month in the CGE cities in the table, depending on the city.
