Is Duke Energy Ohio Inc cheaper than South Central Power Company?

No — in 2024 Duke Energy Ohio Inc customers averaged 15.00 cents/kWh versus 14.87 for South Central Power Company (EIA-861). South Central Power Company was cheaper by 0.13 cents, about $15 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Duke Energy Ohio Inc to South Central Power Company?

No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Ohio does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at energychoice.ohio.gov if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.

Why is Duke Energy Ohio Inc more expensive than South Central Power Company?

EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Duke Energy Ohio and South Central Power territory all feed the 0.13-cent gap.

Duke Energy Ohio Inc vs South Central Power Company: Which Is Cheaper? (Ohio, 2024)

South Central Power Company customers paid less: an average 14.87¢/kWh in 2024 versus 15.00¢/kWh at Duke Energy Ohio Inc (EIA-861) — a gap of 0.13¢/kWh, worth about $15 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 14 OH counties (Adams, Brown, Clermont, …). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address, though in Ohio both utilities' customers can shop the supply portion of the bill.

Side by side (OH, EIA-861)

Duke Energy Ohio Inc vs South Central Power Company — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Duke Energy Ohio Inc	South Central Power Company
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	15.00	14.87
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	14.73	14.24
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,620	$1,606
Residential customers (2024)	294,084	117,469
Ownership	Investor-owned	Co-op
Counties served in OH	23	24

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Duke Energy Ohio Inc · South Central Power Company · Ohio overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Adams · Brown · Clermont · Clinton · Fairfield · Franklin · Highland · Licking · Madison · Muskingum · Pickaway · Pike · Ross · Scioto counties (OH, 2024).

Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.

Can you actually choose between them?

No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Duke Energy Ohio Inc and South Central Power Company do not compete for the same meters. Ohio does have retail supply choice: customers of either utility may buy the supply portion from a licensed third-party supplier, or stay on the utility's default supply rate. An offer only saves money if it beats your utility's price to compare (printed on the bill); compare offers at energychoice.ohio.gov. The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Duke Energy Ohio Inc cheaper than South Central Power Company?: No — in 2024 Duke Energy Ohio Inc customers averaged 15.00 cents/kWh versus 14.87 for South Central Power Company (EIA-861). South Central Power Company was cheaper by 0.13 cents, about $15 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Duke Energy Ohio Inc to South Central Power Company?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Ohio does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at energychoice.ohio.gov if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.
Why is Duke Energy Ohio Inc more expensive than South Central Power Company?: EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Duke Energy Ohio and South Central Power territory all feed the 0.13-cent gap.

About these numbers. Rates shown are averages computed from federal regulatory filings (EIA Form 861) and public tariff databases — confirm with your utility before making decisions; your actual rate depends on your tariff, usage, and riders. Distribution utility is determined by address and generally cannot be chosen; in retail-choice states you may choose your supplier for the supply portion of the bill. Savings figures use 10,800 kWh/yr (US average residential usage) and are estimates, not quotes. EnergySavings is an independent data project by CertiHomes and is not affiliated with any utility, supplier, or government agency.