Central Power & Light was the incumbent electricity provider for areas of central Texas for 75 years until Texas electricity deregulated in 2002. American Electric Power (AEP) then sold the retail electric part of their business to Direct Energy, who has been operating in that region of Texas as CPL Retail Energy ever since.

Direct Energy is the largest competitive retailer of energy and related services in North America. With operations across Canada, Texas and the north-eastern United States, Direct Energy delivers $8 billion of energy and related services to over five million residential and commercial customers. They operate generation assets, as well as retail electricity services in multiple states across the US.