Data updated
South Carolina has a regulated electricity market, meaning your utility is determined by where you live. While you can't switch providers like in Texas, understanding your utility's rates, upcoming changes, and money-saving programs can reduce your bills significantly.
South Carolina's Regulated Electricity Market
Unlike deregulated states such as Texas, Pennsylvania, or Ohio, South Carolina operates a traditional regulated electricity market. Your utility company handles everything from power generation to the meter on your house, and rates are set by the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSCSC).
Regulated by PSCSC
All rate changes must be approved by the SC Public Service Commission after public review and hearings.
One Utility Per Area
Your address determines your utility. You cannot switch to a different electric provider in South Carolina.
Still Ways to Save
Time-of-use rates, efficiency programs, and solar options can reduce bills even in a regulated market.
Rate Increases Coming in 2026
Multiple SC utilities have filed for rate increases taking effect in 2026. Dominion Energy is requesting a 12.7% residential increase (about $20/month more). Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress have also received approval for increases. Lock in efficiency upgrades now to offset rising costs.
South Carolina Electricity Rates
Electricity rates in South Carolina vary by customer type and utility provider. The state's residential rate of 11.8¢/kWh is slightly below the national average, but South Carolinians use 24% more electricity than typical Americans due to hot, humid summers and heating needs in winter.
Rates by Customer Type
How South Carolina Compares
| Metric | South Carolina | U.S. Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Rate | 11.77¢/kWh | 11.88¢/kWh | 0.9% lower |
| Monthly Usage | 1,119 kWh | 903 kWh | 24% higher |
| Monthly Bill | $132 | $107 | 23% higher |
| Commercial Rate | 9.63¢/kWh | 10.09¢/kWh | 4.6% lower |
| Industrial Rate | 6.02¢/kWh | 6.67¢/kWh | 9.8% lower |
Major Electric Utilities in South Carolina
Four major utilities serve most South Carolina residents. Your address determines which utility you have. Each sets its own rates (subject to PSCSC approval), offers different programs, and has different rate structures.
Utility Service Areas
- Serves Upstate SC: Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson
- Rate increase approved June 2025 (+3.7%)
- Another increase proposed for March 2026
- Time-of-use and EV charging rates available
- Serves Pee Dee region: Florence, Darlington, Marion
- Rate increase approved June 2025 (+6.3%)
- Merger with Duke Carolinas planned for Jan 2027
- Solar rebate programs available
- Serves Midlands & Lowcountry: Columbia, Charleston area
- 12.7% rate increase requested for July 2026
- Hurricane Helene recovery costs in rate base
- Demand response programs for bill credits
- State-owned public power utility
- Serves coastal SC: Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, Berkeley
- New demand-based rates started April 2025
- $8/kW peak demand charge (3-6pm or 6-9am)
Electric Cooperatives
About 1.5 million South Carolinians are served by one of 20 electric cooperatives. Co-ops are member-owned and often have competitive rates. Major co-ops include Berkeley Electric, Palmetto Electric, Horry Electric, and Laurens Electric. Co-op rates typically range from 10-13¢/kWh depending on your location.
South Carolina Business Electricity
Commercial and industrial electricity rates in South Carolina are competitive, ranking 20th and 35th nationally. Large industrial users benefit from some of the lowest rates in the Southeast, making SC attractive for manufacturing.
| Utility | Small Commercial | Large Commercial | Industrial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Carolinas | 10.2¢/kWh | 8.5¢/kWh | 6.1¢/kWh |
| Duke Energy Progress | 10.8¢/kWh | 9.1¢/kWh | 6.4¢/kWh |
| Dominion Energy SC | 11.5¢/kWh | 9.8¢/kWh | 6.8¢/kWh |
| Santee Cooper | 9.2¢/kWh | 7.8¢/kWh | 5.5¢/kWh |
- Demand Charges Matter: Business rates include demand charges based on your peak 15-minute usage. Managing peak demand can reduce bills 10-20%.
- Time-of-Use Options: Most utilities offer TOU rates for businesses. Shifting operations to off-peak hours (nights, weekends) lowers costs.
- Economic Development Rates: New or expanding businesses may qualify for discounted rates. Contact your utility's business services team.
Regional Electricity Profiles
Electricity usage and costs vary significantly across South Carolina due to climate differences, housing stock age, and the utility serving each area.
Upstate (Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson)
The Upstate has milder summers than coastal SC, resulting in slightly lower electricity usage. Duke Energy Carolinas serves most of the region. The growing Greenville-Spartanburg metro has seen significant residential and commercial development, with newer homes featuring better insulation and efficiency.
- Cooler mountain elevations near Travelers Rest and Landrum can reduce AC costs 15-20% vs. Columbia
- Duke's time-of-use rate rewards shifting usage away from 2-8pm summer weekdays
- Many textile mills converted to apartments have older electrical systems - budget higher per sq ft
Midlands (Columbia, Lexington, Sumter)
Columbia and the Midlands experience some of SC's hottest summer temperatures, driving higher AC usage. Dominion Energy serves most of the region with the state's highest residential rates. The pending 12.7% rate increase will impact Midlands residents significantly.
- Dominion's demand response program offers bill credits for allowing AC cycling during peak demand
- Older Columbia neighborhoods (Shandon, Forest Acres) often have less insulation - consider energy audits
- New developments in Lexington and Irmo have tighter building codes and lower bills per sq ft
Lowcountry (Charleston, Beaufort, Hilton Head)
The Lowcountry's hot, humid climate means air conditioning runs 8+ months per year. Dominion, Santee Cooper, and Berkeley Electric Cooperative all serve parts of the region. Coastal homes also face higher insurance and storm-related costs that affect utility infrastructure investments.
- Humidity control is as important as temperature - set dehumidifiers to reduce AC load
- Historic Charleston homes often lack ductwork - mini-splits can be more efficient than window units
- Santee Cooper customers should note the new demand charge - avoid 3-6pm peaks in summer
Grand Strand (Myrtle Beach, Conway, Georgetown)
Santee Cooper serves much of the Grand Strand with some of SC's lowest base energy rates. However, the new demand-based rate structure means bills can vary significantly based on when you use electricity. Vacation rentals and seasonal residents should pay special attention to peak usage patterns.
- Santee Cooper's $8/kW demand charge is based on your single highest hour of usage each month
- For vacation rentals: install smart thermostats to prevent guests from spiking demand
- Off-season residents benefit most from low base rates when AC usage drops
Ways to Lower Your SC Electric Bill
While you can't switch providers in South Carolina, you can still reduce your electricity costs through efficiency, rate optimization, and utility programs.
Time-of-Use Rates
All major SC utilities offer TOU rates. Shift laundry, dishwashing, and EV charging to nights and weekends to save 20-30% on those activities.
Smart Thermostats
Pre-cool your home before peak hours (2-8pm summer) then let it coast. Smart thermostats can save $50-150/year in SC climate.
Solar + Net Metering
SC utilities offer net metering. Solar panels can offset 70-100% of bills, with payback periods of 8-12 years depending on your utility.
Weatherization
SC homes lose 25-30% of conditioned air through leaks. Sealing and insulating can save $200-400/year on heating and cooling.
HVAC Maintenance
A well-maintained AC uses 15-20% less energy. Schedule tune-ups before summer and replace filters monthly during peak season.
Energy Audits
Duke and Dominion offer free or low-cost energy audits. Identify your biggest energy wasters and prioritize upgrades with best ROI.
South Carolina Electricity FAQs
No. South Carolina has a regulated electricity market where utilities have exclusive service territories. Your address determines your utility (Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, Santee Cooper, or a co-op), and you cannot switch to a different provider. However, there is growing discussion among lawmakers about potentially introducing retail choice for large industrial customers in the future.
While SC electricity rates (11.8¢/kWh) are slightly below the national average, South Carolinians use 24% more electricity than typical Americans. Hot, humid summers require extensive air conditioning, and many older homes lack adequate insulation. This high usage, combined with fixed fees and recent rate increases, results in average bills of $132/month - the 3rd highest in the nation.
If you're on a time-of-use rate plan, the cheapest electricity is typically between 9pm and 6am (overnight) and on weekends. Peak rates apply from 2-8pm on summer weekdays when AC demand is highest. Santee Cooper's peak hours are 3-6pm (summer) and 6-9am (winter). Shifting high-energy activities like laundry and EV charging to off-peak hours can save 20-30%.
A demand charge is based on your highest electricity usage during any single interval (usually 15-30 minutes) in a billing cycle. Commercial customers have always paid demand charges. Starting April 2025, Santee Cooper residential customers also pay an $8/kW demand charge. If you run multiple high-draw appliances simultaneously (AC, dryer, oven, pool pump), you can trigger a higher demand charge that appears on every bill that month.
South Carolina gets about 210 sunny days per year, making solar viable. All major utilities offer net metering, allowing you to sell excess power back at retail rates. A typical 8kW system costs $18,000-24,000 before the 30% federal tax credit, resulting in $12,600-16,800 net cost. With average savings of $100-150/month, payback periods range from 8-12 years. After that, electricity is essentially free for the 15-20 remaining years of panel life.
Duke Energy: 800-769-3766 | Dominion Energy: 888-333-4465 | Santee Cooper: 888-769-7688. Most utilities also have outage reporting apps and online maps. If you see a downed power line, stay at least 35 feet away and call 911 immediately.
Several programs can help: LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) provides federally-funded bill assistance through SC's Office of Economic Opportunity. Neighbor-to-Neighbor programs at Duke and Dominion allow customers to donate to help struggling neighbors. Budget Billing averages your annual usage into equal monthly payments, making winter and summer bills more predictable. Contact your utility or dial 211 for local assistance resources.
Yes. Multiple SC utilities have approved or pending rate increases for 2026. Duke Energy Carolinas has a proposed increase that would raise bills from $137 to $147/month for 1,000 kWh usage. Dominion Energy has requested a 12.7% increase (about $20/month) pending PSCSC approval for July 2026. These increases reflect infrastructure investments, Hurricane Helene recovery costs, and grid modernization expenses.