Beginning in January, Duke Energy will introduce changes to customer bills in South Carolina following approval from the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC). These changes reflect efforts to recover costs from Hurricane Helene, strengthen the electric grid, and upgrade power plants to serve a growing customer base.
Tim Pearson, president of Duke Energy South Carolina, stated: “Duke Energy is committed to meeting the expectations our customers have around reliability, responsiveness and value – striking the right balance that delivers these at the lowest possible cost for customers. That means investing in what matters, delivering results efficiently, and remaining transparent about what customers are paying for and why.”
The PSCSC approved updates for both Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) and Duke Energy Progress (DEP), which operate as subsidiaries in the state. One key measure involves securitization—selling low-interest, long-term bonds—to manage large expenses such as those caused by Hurricane Helene. This approach is expected to save DEC customers over $140 million on storm-related costs.
For DEC residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, a new storm charge will result in a 3.2% increase ($4.58) on monthly bills starting in January. According to Duke Energy, this method provides a 20% savings compared to traditional recovery methods over time. Pearson added: “We appreciate the legislature providing tools like securitization to address extreme storm costs as we continue to pursue ways to reduce these impacts on customer bills.”
Duke Energy has invested in upgrades aimed at improving grid reliability and resilience against storms. Over the past two years, more than 70% of South Carolina customers now benefit from self-healing technology designed for automated power restoration. Pearson noted: “Meeting the needs of our customers means prioritizing investments that enhance the grid while also minimizing the cost impact for customers. For example, Duke Energy’s nuclear units are expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars of annual tax credits in the coming years – savings that will be passed to our customers beginning in 2026.”
The PSCSC also approved agreements with stakeholders that will apply these tax credits directly to customer bills and include shareholder-funded contributions for residential accounts over the next two years.
For DEP residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month, bills will rise by about $11.20 starting February 1—from $153.82 to $165.02 monthly. For DEC residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month, bills will increase by approximately $0.84 starting March 1—from $148.02 to $148.86 (including the securitization charge).
DEC serves about 680,000 households and businesses mainly in Upstate and north central South Carolina; DEP serves roughly 177,000 customers across northeastern regions including Sumter and Florence counties. If regulators approve a proposed combination of DEC and DEP utilities in 2026, it could lead to more than $1 billion in future savings for Carolinas’ ratepayers.
Pearson said: “Customers expect us to manage our costs, but they also want options to manage their own energy usage and give them tools to impact their own bills… That’s why we’re helping customers lower their energy use – and lower their bills – through programs that make a measurable difference.”
Duke Energy reports its energy efficiency programs across North Carolina and South Carolina achieve annual savings significantly above national averages—about 150% better—and recently increased incentives for many programs available statewide.
More information about energy-saving programs can be found at duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.
Duke Energy Carolinas supplies electricity across a wide area covering parts of North Carolina and South Carolina with an energy capacity of 20,800 megawatts serving approximately 2.9 million customers.
Duke Energy Progress operates similarly with an energy capacity of 13,800 megawatts serving about 1.8 million customers across both states.
Duke Energy Corporation is one of America’s largest utility companies with electric services reaching more than eight million people across six states.
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