Is South Carolina Public Service Authority cheaper than Duke Energy Progress?

Yes — in 2024 South Carolina Public Service Authority customers averaged 11.38 cents/kWh versus 14.88 for Duke Energy Progress (EIA-861). South Carolina Public Service Authority was cheaper by 3.49 cents, about $377 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Duke Energy Progress to South Carolina Public Service Authority?

No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. South Carolina has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.

Why is Duke Energy Progress more expensive than South Carolina Public Service Authority?

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 Progress and South Carolina Public Service Authority territory all feed the 3.49-cent gap.

South Carolina Public Service Authority vs Duke Energy Progress: Which Is Cheaper? (South Carolina, 2024)

South Carolina Public Service Authority customers paid less: an average 11.38¢/kWh in 2024 versus 14.88¢/kWh at Duke Energy Progress (EIA-861) — a gap of 3.49¢/kWh, worth about $377 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 2 SC counties (Georgetown, Horry). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (SC, EIA-861)

South Carolina Public Service Authority vs Duke Energy Progress — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	South Carolina Public Service Authority	Duke Energy Progress
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	11.38	14.88
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	11.38	14.67
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,229	$1,607
Residential customers (2024)	185,529	143,713
Ownership	State-owned	Investor-owned
Counties served in SC	3	13

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: South Carolina Public Service Authority · Duke Energy Progress · South Carolina overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Georgetown · Horry counties (SC, 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; South Carolina Public Service Authority and Duke Energy Progress do not compete for the same meters. South Carolina is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (psc.sc.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is South Carolina Public Service Authority cheaper than Duke Energy Progress?: Yes — in 2024 South Carolina Public Service Authority customers averaged 11.38 cents/kWh versus 14.88 for Duke Energy Progress (EIA-861). South Carolina Public Service Authority was cheaper by 3.49 cents, about $377 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Duke Energy Progress to South Carolina Public Service Authority?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. South Carolina has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is Duke Energy Progress more expensive than South Carolina Public Service Authority?: 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 Progress and South Carolina Public Service Authority territory all feed the 3.49-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.