Duke Energy Progress in South Carolina: rates, bills and the January peak
Duke Energy Progress's 143,884 residential customers in South Carolina paid an average of 14.09¢ per kWh in 2025, for an average bill of $169.91 a month on 1,206 kWh.1 Over the last 12 months (Sep 2025–Aug 2026) the average was 15.04¢, and 16.03¢ in August 2026.2
EIA-861 2025 final (released October 7, 2026) and EIA's monthly utility survey through August 2026 (preliminary); next monthly update expected November 24, 2026. Averages are revenue divided by kWh, all charges included: not the rate printed in a tariff.
13 of 46 South Carolina counties served (EIA-861 2025)
Duke Energy Progress homes in South Carolina paid 14.09¢ per kWh in 2025, 6.8% below the South Carolina average, yet their average bill of $169.911 was above the state's $161.214. They use more electricity than the average South Carolina home, and their heaviest month comes in winter: 1,742 kWh per home in January 20262.
Cost per kWh in 2025, the last 12 months and August
Duke Energy Progress had 143,884 residential customers in South Carolina in 2025, 5.6%1 of the state's homes. EIA reports what they paid in three ways, and each answers a different question:
- Full year 2025 (EIA-861, final): 14.09¢ per kWh1.
- 12 months from September 2025 to August 2026 (EIA-861M, 2026 months preliminary): 15.04¢ per kWh.
- August 20263 alone (preliminary): 16.03¢ per kWh, +8.2%2 on August 2025.
All three are average revenue per kWh: residential revenue divided by residential kWh sold. The fixed monthly charge, fuel cost recovery and riders sit inside the average; most taxes do not. Because the fixed charge is spread over every kWh, a small user pays more than the average per kWh and a large user less. The 12-month figure is the best guide to today's level, since it covers every season and includes the months since the February 2026 rate change described below.
Source: EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue by utility; EIA, Electric Power Monthly / EIA-861M sales and revenue by state. Residential revenue divided by kWh in each month, as reported to EIA's monthly survey (EIA-861M; months since January 2026 preliminary).
Show the numbers
| Month | Duke Energy Progress (¢/kWh) | kWh per customer | Bill per customer |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | 12.78¢ | 1,995 | $255.03 |
| February 2025 | 14.60¢ | 1,173 | $171.24 |
| March 2025 | 15.23¢ | 953 | $145.18 |
| April 2025 | 14.94¢ | 836 | $124.85 |
| May 2025 | 14.60¢ | 965 | $140.91 |
| June 2025 | 13.63¢ | 1,361 | $185.41 |
| July 2025 | 13.80¢ | 1,576 | $217.58 |
| August 2025 | 14.81¢ | 1,213 | $179.62 |
| September 2025 | 15.12¢ | 983 | $148.70 |
| October 2025 | 14.89¢ | 825 | $122.84 |
| November 2025 | 14.11¢ | 1,033 | $145.79 |
| December 2025 | 12.98¢ | 1,555 | $201.81 |
| January 2026 | 13.23¢ | 1,742 | $230.47 |
| February 2026 | 15.64¢ | 1,395 | $218.07 |
| March 2026 | 17.30¢ | 931 | $161.15 |
| April 2026 | 16.67¢ | 811 | $135.21 |
| May 2026 | 16.01¢ | 994 | $159.06 |
| June 2026 | 15.28¢ | 1,293 | $197.48 |
| July 2026 | 15.32¢ | 1,562 | $239.34 |
| August 2026 | 16.03¢ | 1,445 | $231.65 |
A lower price than the state, a higher bill
On the 2025 figure, Duke Energy Progress was the 10th lowest of the 26 South Carolina utilities with 10,000 or more residential customers, and 20.8% below the national average for investor-owned utilities. Among the 177 US utilities with 100,000 or more residential customers it placed 70th lowest of 177, below the group's median of 15.07¢ per kWh1.
The bill tells a different story. A Duke Energy Progress home used 1,206 kWh a month in 2025, against 1,067 kWh4 for South Carolina as a whole, 1,032 kWh on Dominion Energy South Carolina and 959 kWh on Santee Cooper. More kWh at a moderate price produced a bill of $169.91: close to Dominion's $169.35, although Dominion's customers averaged 16.41¢ per kWh, and well above the $141.551 paid on Duke's other South Carolina utility, Duke Energy Carolinas.
Source: EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2025 final. EIA-861 2025 final. Average revenue per kWh is all charges divided by kWh; it is not a tariff rate.
Show the numbers
| Utility | average monthly residential bill |
|---|---|
| Santee Cooper (SC) | $123.85 |
| Duke Energy Carolinas (SC) | $141.55 |
| Duke Energy Progress (NC) | $158.90 |
| Dominion Energy South Carolina (SC) | $169.35 |
| Duke Energy Progress (SC) | $169.91 |
| Berkeley Electric Cooperative (SC) | $187.48 |
The same utility's North Carolina customers show the opposite pattern: a higher price, 15.19¢ per kWh, but lower use, 1,046 kWh1 a month (2025). Rates in each state are approved by that state's commission; the North Carolina page covers that side.
Why January, not July, is the costly month
Over the 12 months from September 2025 to August 2026, use per Duke Energy Progress home in South Carolina was highest in January 2026, at 1,742 kWh and an average bill of $230.47. The lowest month was April 2026, at 811 kWh and $135.212.
That timing sets the system apart within the state. For South Carolina as a whole, use per home peaked in July 20263, as it did at Dominion Energy South Carolina (July 2026), Duke Energy Carolinas (July 2026) and Santee Cooper (July 2026). Duke Energy Progress's North Carolina side also peaked in January 2026, but at a lower 1,463 kWh2 per home.
Source: EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue by utility. kWh per residential customer in each month (EIA-861M; months since January 2026 preliminary). The table adds the average bill and price for the month.
Show the numbers
| Month | kWh per customer | Bill per customer | ¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | 983 | $148.70 | 15.12¢ |
| October 2025 | 825 | $122.84 | 14.89¢ |
| November 2025 | 1,033 | $145.79 | 14.11¢ |
| December 2025 | 1,555 | $201.81 | 12.98¢ |
| January 2026 | 1,742 | $230.47 | 13.23¢ |
| February 2026 | 1,395 | $218.07 | 15.64¢ |
| March 2026 | 931 | $161.15 | 17.30¢ |
| April 2026 | 811 | $135.21 | 16.67¢ |
| May 2026 | 994 | $159.06 | 16.01¢ |
| June 2026 | 1,293 | $197.48 | 15.28¢ |
| July 2026 | 1,562 | $239.34 | 15.32¢ |
| August 2026 | 1,445 | $231.65 | 16.03¢ |
EIA does not report heating fuel by utility. Statewide, 69.6% of South Carolina households heated mainly with electricity in the Census Bureau's 2025 American Community Survey, the 2nd highest5 share among the states (a survey estimate with a margin of error). Electric heating raises use in cold months, so on a winter-peaking system the size of the bills depends on winter weather as much as on summer heat.
The February 2026 rate change and the monthly data
In annual terms, 2025 was cheaper per kWh than 2024: the residential average fell 5.3%, from 14.88¢ per kWh to 14.09¢ per kWh. Use per home rose from 1,146 kWh to 1,206 kWh a month, so the bill barely moved: $170.526 to $169.91 (−0.4%1). From 2024 to 2025, South Carolina's statewide residential average rose 6.3%7.
Bills then went up. On January 2, 2026, Duke Energy announced that the Public Service Commission of South Carolina had approved agreements covering both of its South Carolina utilities, and that monthly bills for typical Duke Energy Progress residential customers would rise beginning February 1, 2026. The previous base-rate review, filed in September 2022, ended in a settlement approved in February 2023 with new rates from April 1, 2023, according to Duke Energy's announcement of that order.
EIA's monthly data are consistent with a higher level since then. The 12 months from September 2025 to August 2026 averaged 15.04¢ per kWh, above the 2025 figure, and August 20263 came in +8.2% on the same month a year earlier. In the same month the change was +7.4% at Duke Energy Carolinas, +5.3% at Dominion Energy South Carolina and +1.5%2 at Santee Cooper. EIA's figures do not separate base rates, fuel and riders, and the 2026 months are preliminary.
A separate decision concerns the company's structure. On April 30, 2026, the commission approved a settlement on Duke Energy's proposal to combine Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress, with a targeted effective date of January 1, 2027 if all approvals are received. The commission's dockets hold current filings, including fuel reviews; the guide to rate increases explains how such cases reach a bill.
Where it serves: the Pee Dee, shared with others
EIA's service-territory records place Duke Energy Progress in 13 South Carolina counties: Chesterfield County, Clarendon County, Darlington County, Dillon County, Florence County, Georgetown County, Horry County, Kershaw County, Lee County, Marion County, Marlboro County, Sumter County and 1 other. Duke Energy describes this area as the Pee Dee and northeastern South Carolina, including Sumter, Florence and Darlington counties, in its January 2026 announcement. In 138 of the counties at least one other utility also reports customers. A county name therefore does not settle which utility serves an address; Duke's service-area map does. EIA publishes no prices by town or ZIP code.
Source: EIA-861 2025, service territory; Census Bureau, Cartographic boundary file, counties. EIA-861 2025 service territory: 13 counties. Counts whole counties even where the utility serves only part of one; check the utility's own service-area map for an address.
Show the numbers
| County | Other utilities reporting service |
|---|---|
| Chesterfield County | MPD Electric Cooperative, Lynches River Electric Cooperative |
| Clarendon County | Santee Electric Cooperative, Black River Electric Cooperative |
| Darlington County | MPD Electric Cooperative |
| Dillon County | MPD Electric Cooperative |
| Florence County | Santee Electric Cooperative, MPD Electric Cooperative |
| Georgetown County | Santee Cooper, Santee Electric Cooperative, City of Georgetown |
| Horry County | Santee Cooper, Horry Electric Cooperative |
| Kershaw County | Duke Energy Carolinas, Fairfield Electric Cooperative, Black River Electric Cooperative, Lynches River Electric Cooperative, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, City of Camden |
| Lee County | MPD Electric Cooperative, Black River Electric Cooperative, City of Camden |
| Marion County | MPD Electric Cooperative |
| Marlboro County | MPD Electric Cooperative, City of Bennettsville |
| Sumter County | Black River Electric Cooperative, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, City of Camden |
| Williamsburg County | Santee Electric Cooperative |
Switching is not an option either: South Carolina has no residential retail choice, and EIA counted 0.0% of the state's residential customers with a competitive supplier in 2025. Statewide, cooperatives averaged 15.96¢ per kWh that year, public power 12.90¢ per kWh and investor-owned utilities 14.96¢ per kWh1.
Time-of-use, meters and rooftop solar
Advanced meters covered 99.8% of Duke Energy Progress's South Carolina residential meters in 2025. 1,980 homes, 1.4% of the total, were on a time-of-use rate, against 0.6% at Duke Energy Carolinas and 0.9%10 at Dominion. Peak hours and prices are set in the utility's South Carolina rate schedules; the time-of-use guide shows how such a plan changes a bill.
The utility reported 2,422 net-metered residential solar installations with 19.3 megawatts of capacity, 16.8 per 1,000 residential customers, against 22.010 at Duke Energy Carolinas (2025).
Outages below the state average
Customers averaged 119 minutes without power in 2025 with major event days counted, fewer than the South Carolina average of 151 minutes, and 106 minutes without them. They had 1.14 interruptions each on average, against 1.25 statewide (IEEE 1366 measures). On Duke Energy Carolinas' South Carolina system the comparable total was 220 minutes11.
Business accounts, the parent company and help with bills
In 2025, the 32,534 commercial accounts paid an average of 11.02¢ per kWh and the 407 industrial accounts 7.18¢ per kWh, against 14.09¢ per kWh for homes. Across all 176,825 South Carolina accounts the average was 10.76¢ per kWh1.
Duke Energy Progress is one of 8 Duke Energy utilities with a page here; their 2025 residential averages ran from 13.41¢ per kWh to 18.36¢ per kWh1, compared on the Duke Energy page.
South Carolina received $49.4 million12 in federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds for fiscal year 2026 to help eligible households with energy bills. The South Carolina page covers the state's other utilities.
Duke Energy Progress South Carolina: common questions
What is the Duke Energy Progress cost per kWh in South Carolina?
Residential customers paid an average of 15.04¢ per kWh over the 12 months from September 2025 to August 2026 (2026 months preliminary), 14.09¢ per kWh1 in the full year 2025 and 16.03¢ per kWh2 in August 20263. Each figure is average revenue per kWh, so it already contains the basic facilities charge, fuel and riders; it will not match the energy charge on a rate schedule.
How much is the average Duke Energy Progress bill in South Carolina?
$169.91 a month in 2025, for 1,206 kWh1. Over the 12 months from September 2025 to August 2026 the average was $182.67, ranging from $122.84 in October 2025 to $239.34 in July 20262.
Did Duke Energy Progress raise rates in South Carolina in 2026?
Yes. After a decision by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, Duke Energy said bills for typical Duke Energy Progress residential customers would rise beginning February 1, 2026. In EIA's preliminary data, the August 20263 residential average was 16.03¢ per kWh, +8.2%2 against August 2025.
What is the difference between Duke Energy and Duke Energy Progress?
Duke Energy is the holding company. Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas are two of its operating utilities, each with its own territory and its own rates in South Carolina and in North Carolina. In South Carolina, Duke Energy Progress serves the Pee Dee and the northeast of the state. The address decides which one serves a home; customers cannot choose.
Related pages
Sources
- EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2025 final; table Sales_Ult_Cust_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue by utility; table sales_ult_cust_2025 and _2026; released October 23, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA, Electric Power Monthly / EIA-861M sales and revenue by state; table sales_revenue.xlsx (EPM Table 5.6.A); January 2001 to 2026-08; months since January 2026 preliminary; released October 23, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 2025, average monthly bill by state; table Average_Bill_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 1-year estimates, house heating fuel, table B25040; 2025; released October 29, 2026. data.census.gov
- EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2024 final; table Sales_Ult_Cust_2024; 2024, final (file updated December 3, 2025); released December 3, 2025. www.eia.gov
- EIA, Historical state data, annual sales, revenue and customers; table HS861 2010-.xlsx; 2010-2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 2025, service territory; table Service_Territory_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- Census Bureau, Cartographic boundary file, counties; table cb_2025_us_county_5m; cb_2021_us_county_5m; 2025 (2021 for Connecticut). www.census.gov
- EIA-861 2025, advanced meters, dynamic pricing and net metering; table Advanced_Meters, Dynamic_Pricing, Net_Metering 2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 2025, reliability; table Reliability_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- HHS, LIHEAP funding releases to states; table FY2027 first release; FY2026 final; FY2027 first release (October 9, 2026); FY2026 total; released October 9, 2026. acf.gov
Margins of error (±) are at the 90% confidence level. A difference is called significant only when it passes the Census Bureau's test at that level. How every figure is built: methodology. Found an error? Write to [email protected]; corrections are listed on the updates page.