Duke Energy Customers in South Carolina to Face Rate Hikes Starting Next Month

Starting next month, on August 1, Duke Energy customers in South Carolina will face higher rates following a settlement approved by the state’s Public Service Commission. Effective August 1, a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours will see an 8.7% increase, or $12.06 per month, with another 4.3% hike, or $6.42 per month, beginning August 1, 2026. Commercial and industrial customers will see average increases of 4.6% and 4.4%, respectively. These changes, resulting from a lengthy approval process, aim to recover investments in system diversity, reliability, and customer experience enhancements. Additionally, the agreement includes provisions for a study on low-income customer protections and energy-saving programs.