Side by side (KY, EIA-861)
| Metric | Kentucky Utilities Co | South Kentucky Rural E C C |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 11.85 | 12.92 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 11.98 | 13.18 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,279 | $1,395 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 450,673 | 64,877 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Co-op |
| Counties served in KY | 77 | 11 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Kentucky Utilities Co · South Kentucky Rural E C C · Kentucky overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Adair · Casey · Laurel · Lincoln · McCreary · Pulaski · Rockcastle · Russell counties (KY, 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; Kentucky Utilities Co and South Kentucky Rural E C C do not compete for the same meters. Kentucky is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (psc.ky.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is Kentucky Utilities Co cheaper than South Kentucky Rural E C C?
- Yes — in 2024 Kentucky Utilities Co customers averaged 11.85 cents/kWh versus 12.92 for South Kentucky Rural E C C (EIA-861). Kentucky Utilities Co was cheaper by 1.07 cents, about $116 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from South Kentucky Rural E C C to Kentucky Utilities Co?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Kentucky has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
- Why is South Kentucky Rural E C C more expensive than Kentucky Utilities Co?
- 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 South Kentucky Rural E C C and Kentucky Utilities territory all feed the 1.07-cent gap.