How Duquesne Light compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs Duquesne Light, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset Rural Elec Coop, Inc | 13.96 | 12,322 | -7.78 | -$840 |
| REA Energy Coop Inc | 14.53 | 20,932 | -7.21 | -$779 |
| Central Electric Coop, Inc | 17.03 | 23,629 | -4.71 | -$509 |
| FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Co | 17.37 | 1,464,054 | -4.37 | -$472 |
| Duquesne Light Co (this page) | 21.74 | 434,171 | — | — |
4 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with Duquesne Light. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than Duquesne Light customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, while the supply portion is separately shoppable in Pennsylvania (see below).
Where Duquesne Light customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | Duquesne Light premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westmoreland | Somerset Rural Elec Coop, Inc | 13.96 | +$840 |
| Allegheny | Central Electric Coop, Inc | 17.03 | +$509 |
| Beaver | FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Co | 17.37 | +$472 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies. In Pennsylvania you can shop the supply portion regardless of county.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 22.07 | 21.74 | -1.5% |
| Residential customers | 433,219 | 434,171 | +0.2% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Including delivery-only/third-party-supply accounts, Duquesne Light serves 550,405 residential customers in PA. Statewide context: Pennsylvania electricity rates.
Current residential tariff snapshot (URDB)
| Fixed charge | Energy rate, $/kWh | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| $13.00/mo | 0.207 | Aug 2025 |
Tariff structure (tiers, time-of-use, riders) determines your marginal rate; the EIA-861 average above reflects what customers actually paid all-in. Source: OpenEI URDB.
Supply vs delivery on a Duquesne Light bill
Pennsylvania has residential electric supply choice: Duquesne Light delivers the power and bills a default supply rate, but you may buy the supply portion from a licensed competitor instead. Compare offers against the price to compare on the state's official shopping site: papowerswitch.com.
Electric choice (PAPowerSwitch, PTC per EDC) and gas choice (PAGasSwitch) statewide.
Counties served (PA, EIA-861 2024)
Allegheny · Beaver · Westmoreland
Head-to-head comparisons
Questions people ask
- Is Duquesne Light Co more expensive than other Pennsylvania utilities?
- Duquesne Light Co customers paid an average 21.74 cents/kWh in 2024 — 26% above the Pennsylvania volume-weighted average of 17.23 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Duquesne Light Co?
- You cannot switch the wires company — distribution territory is fixed by address. Pennsylvania does allow supply choice, so you can buy the supply portion of the bill from a licensed competitor via papowerswitch.com if its offer beats the price to compare.
- How many customers does Duquesne Light Co have?
- 434,171 residential customers in Pennsylvania in 2024 across 3 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.