How Duke Energy Carolinas compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs Duke Energy Carolinas, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood CPW | 9.04 | 11,753 | -4.95 | -$534 |
| Greer Commission of Public Wks | 11.80 | 24,893 | -2.18 | -$236 |
| City of Gaffney | 12.39 | 6,314 | -1.60 | -$172 |
| City of Rock Hill | 12.55 | 36,492 | -1.44 | -$156 |
| York Electric Coop Inc | 12.65 | 65,244 | -1.33 | -$144 |
| Easley Combined Utility System | 12.81 | 15,772 | -1.18 | -$127 |
| Black River Electric Coop, Inc | 13.47 | 30,610 | -0.52 | -$56 |
| Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (this page) | 13.99 | 568,586 | — | — |
| Fairfield Electric Coop, Inc | 14.35 | 32,397 | +0.36 | +$39 |
| Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc | 14.59 | 696,385 | +0.60 | +$65 |
| Laurens Electric Coop, Inc | 14.66 | 58,438 | +0.67 | +$72 |
| Duke Energy Progress | 14.88 | 143,713 | +0.89 | +$96 |
18 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with Duke Energy Carolinas. Showing the 11 cheapest. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than Duke Energy Carolinas customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, not options you can pick between.
Where Duke Energy Carolinas customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | Duke Energy Carolinas premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood | Greenwood CPW | 9.04 | +$534 |
| Greenville | Greer Commission of Public Wks | 11.80 | +$236 |
| Spartanburg | Greer Commission of Public Wks | 11.80 | +$236 |
| Cherokee | City of Gaffney | 12.39 | +$172 |
| York | City of Rock Hill | 12.55 | +$156 |
| Chester | York Electric Coop Inc | 12.65 | +$144 |
| Lancaster | York Electric Coop Inc | 12.65 | +$144 |
| Pickens | Easley Combined Utility System | 12.81 | +$127 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies. Showing the 8 highest-premium counties of 19 served.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 12.67 | 13.99 | +10.4% |
| Residential customers | 554,253 | 568,586 | +2.6% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Statewide context: South Carolina electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a Duke Energy Carolinas bill
South Carolina is a regulated retail market — Duke Energy Carolinas customers cannot choose a different supplier; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings. Official information: psc.sc.gov.
Counties served (SC, EIA-861 2024)
Abbeville · Anderson · Cherokee · Chester · Edgefield · Fairfield · Greenville · Greenwood · Kershaw · Lancaster · Laurens · McCormick · Newberry · Oconee · Pickens · Saluda · Spartanburg · Union · York
Head-to-head comparisons
- Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc vs Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Duke Energy Progress
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Blue Ridge Electric Coop Inc
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs York Electric Coop Inc
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Laurens Electric Coop, Inc
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC vs Mid-Carolina Electric Coop Inc
Questions people ask
- Is Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC more expensive than other South Carolina utilities?
- Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC customers paid an average 13.99 cents/kWh in 2024 — 1% below the South Carolina volume-weighted average of 14.19 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC?
- No — distribution territory is fixed by address and South Carolina has no residential supplier shopping. Rate changes go through the state utility commission (psc.sc.gov).
- How many customers does Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC have?
- 568,586 residential customers in South Carolina in 2024 across 19 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.