Side by side (SC, EIA-861)
| Metric | South Carolina Public Service Authority | Horry Electric Coop Inc |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 11.38 | 13.23 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 11.38 | 12.91 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,229 | $1,429 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 185,529 | 86,726 |
| Ownership | State-owned | Co-op |
| Counties served in SC | 3 | 1 |
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 · Horry Electric Coop Inc · South Carolina overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Horry county (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 Horry Electric Coop Inc 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 Horry Electric Coop Inc?
- Yes — in 2024 South Carolina Public Service Authority customers averaged 11.38 cents/kWh versus 13.23 for Horry Electric Coop Inc (EIA-861). South Carolina Public Service Authority was cheaper by 1.85 cents, about $200 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from Horry Electric Coop Inc 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 Horry Electric Coop Inc 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 Horry Electric Coop and South Carolina Public Service Authority territory all feed the 1.85-cent gap.