Energy Affordability and Reliability Top Priorities for Consumers in 2026

New report from Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative highlights five key themes on the utility-customer relationship

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) has released its '2026 State of the Consumer' report, which summarizes findings from over 5,000 consumer surveys conducted in 2025. The report presents five key themes on the utility-customer relationship, with affordability and reliability emerging as the top priorities for consumers across all income levels, generations, and technological comfort.

Why it matters

As the energy transition accelerates, understanding consumer priorities and concerns is crucial for electricity providers and industry stakeholders to improve customer satisfaction, trust, and engagement. The report's insights can help guide strategies and investments to address the growing demand for affordable and reliable energy services.

The details

The report highlights that affordability is now the universal priority across all consumers, while reliability and resilience remain close behind. The remaining three themes focus on consumers' desire for more guidance and support from their providers, especially around new technologies and programs. The report shows that technology interest is high, but digital confidence and adoption vary widely, and consumers expect their providers to play a larger, more supportive role in the clean energy transition.

  • The '2026 State of the Consumer' report was released on February 19, 2026.

The players

Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC)

A nonprofit organization that studies consumer behaviors, interests, and concerns in the energy transition.

Nathan Shannon

President & CEO of the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.

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What they’re saying

“This year's report showcases why affordability and reliability need to be top of mind for all utility leaders in 2026. Consumers have significant concerns in both of these areas and are looking for their electricity providers to step up as trusted energy partners.”

— Nathan Shannon, President & CEO (SECC website)

What’s next

The full '2026 State of the Consumer' report is available for download on SECC's website for member organizations.

The takeaway

As the energy landscape continues to evolve, electricity providers and industry stakeholders must prioritize affordability and reliability to meet the growing consumer demand for accessible and dependable energy services. By understanding the key themes and insights from this report, they can develop strategies and investments to improve customer satisfaction, trust, and engagement in the clean energy transition.