Utility companies provide natural gas, electricity, water, sewage, and other basic necessities for both residential and commercial properties. While many companies in the utilities sector make a profit, they are typically heavily regulated by public authorities. Utility companies range from large businesses providing a spectrum of services to specialized, niche companies focusing on wind energy and other services.
These are the 10 biggest utility companies by revenue. The data is as of Dec. 31, 2022, except for the market cap, which is as of April 26, 2023. This list is limited to publicly traded companies in the U.S. or Canada, either directly or through ADRs. Data is courtesy of YCharts.com.
Key Takeaways
- Utility companies provide natural gas, electricity, water, sewage, and other basic necessities for both residential and commercial properties.
- Utility companies are for-profit entities but they are typically heavily regulated by public authorities.
- Utility companies include large companies that provide utilities from all sources or small niche companies focusing on only renewable energy.
- The largest utility company in the world by revenue is Électricité de France SA.
#1 Électricité de France SA (ECIFY)
- Revenue: $149.5 billion
- Net Income: -$18.6 billion
- Market Cap: $51.0 billion
- 1-Year Total Return: 45.47%
- Exchange: OTC
French state-owned Électricité de France SA (EDF) provides services such as power generation, transmission, distribution, and trading. As a major provider of power in France as well as elsewhere in the world, the company is involved in every aspect of the electricity industry. The company's production is currently 90% free from carbon dioxide emissions worldwide and 96% in France.
#2 Enel SpA (ENLAY)
- Revenue: $149.3 billion
- Net Income: $1.9 billion
- Market Cap: $68.4 billion
- 1-Year Total Return: 12.15%
- Exchange: OTC
Based in Rome, Enel SpA is a multinational power company and a leading integrated player in the world’s power and gas markets, with a presence in 30 countries and a focus on Europe and Latin America. Enel is a large player in the renewable energy space.
#3 E.ON SE (EONGY)
- Revenue: $121.8 billion
- Net Income: $2.0 billion
- Market Cap: $34.3 billion
- 1-Year Total Return: 30.60%
- Exchange: OTC
Germany-based E.ON is an international energy supplier with operations across Europe. The company's focus is on power and gas distribution, while it also operates a customer solutions branch which is focused on energy sales, infrastructure, and growth businesses.
Some of these stocks are only traded over-the-counter (OTC) in the U.S., not on exchanges. Trading OTC stocks often carries higher trading costs than trading stocks on exchanges. This can lower or even outweigh potential returns.
#4 Engie (ENGIY)
- Revenue: $97.8 billion
- Net Income: $434.6 million
- Market Cap: $41 billion
- 1-Year Total Return: 39.06%
- Exchange: OTC
Engie is a French multinational utility providing customers with a broad spectrum of energy and environmental services in 31 countries. Previously known as GDF Suez, Engie has operations in electricity generation and distribution, natural gas, and renewable energy. The name change reflects the company’s departure from the state-owned nationalized gas monopoly.
#5 Iberdrola SA (IBDRY)
- Revenue: $56.7 billion
- Net Income: $4.6 billion
- Market Cap: $80.6 billion
- 1-Year Total Return: 21.15%
- Exchange: OTC
Iberdrola SA is a Spanish multinational electric utility with operations in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Australia, Japan, South America, and Central America. Among the company's subsidiaries are Scottish Power, Iberdrola Internacional, and Neoenergia.
#6 Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings (TKECY)
- Revenue: $55.9 billion
- Net Income: -$4.7 billion
- Market Cap: $5.6 billion
- 1-Year Total Return: 2.34%
- Exchange: OTC
Tokyo Electric Power Co. generates and distributes electricity through the Tokyo area and several other regions in Japan. An integrated utilities company, the firm utilizes hydroelectric, nuclear, and thermal power sources.
#7 Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEP)
- Revenue: $55.1 billion
- Net Income: -$18.9 billion
- Market Cap: $9.0 billion
- 1-Year Total Return: -17.53%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
South Korea's largest electric utility, Korea Electric Power Corp. generates and distributes electricity for a variety of residential and business uses. The company operates nuclear, thermal, and hydroelectric power units.
#8 Centrica PLC (CPYYY)
- Revenue: $28.8 billion
- Net Income: -$989.8 million
- Market Cap: $7.9 billion
- 1-Year Total Return: 43.46%
- Exchange: OTC
British multinational Centrica provides energy services, primarily electricity and gas, to customers across the U.K. and elsewhere in Europe as well as in the U.S.
#9 Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc (KAEPY)
- Revenue: $28.1 billion
- Net Income: -$793.8 million
- Market Cap: $8.9 billion
- 1-Year Total Return: 9.41%
- Exchange: OTC
Kansai Electric Power Co. provides electricity to customers in Osaka and the surrounding Kansai region in Japan. The company builds and maintains electric power facilities and utilizes thermal, geothermal, nuclear, and hydroelectric power sources.
#10 Exelon Corp. (EXC)
- Revenue: $19.1 billion
- Net Income: $2.2 billion
- Market Cap: $42.9 billion
- 1-Year Total Return: -8.74%
- Exchange: NASDAQ
Exelon Corp. operates as a utility services holding company serving millions of customers in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and several other areas of the U.S. The U.S. company is one of the largestdomestic power generators, with power capacity generated by nuclear, gas, wind, hydroelectric, and solar stations.
What Is an Example of a Utility Company?
A utility company is an organization that provides electricity, gas, sewage, water, or other such necessities to a population. These companies are either the producers or distributors of utilities. Utility companies are for-profit companies but are part of the public sector.
Who Has the Highest Utility Rates in the U.S.?
The state of Hawaii has the highest utility rates in the U.S. as of 2022 for residential electricity costs. The cost is 44.85 cents per kilowatt-hour. The second-highest is New Hampshire with 30.44 cents per kilowatt-hour.
What State Has the Cheapest Electricity?
The state with the cheapest electricity is Washington, costing 10.59 cents per kilowatt-hour. The second cheapest is Utah with a cost of 10.99 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The Bottom Line
These are the largest energy companies around the world, providing energy services to billions of people when combined. Many of these companies have made significant headway into renewable sources and continue to prioritize their business with that as a core strategy.
