South Carolina Electricity Rates
South Carolina’s average residential electricity rate of 15.71¢/kWh is roughly 13% below the national average, making it one of the more affordable states for electricity in the Southeast. As a regulated market, South Carolina residents cannot choose their electricity provider—your utility is determined by your address. The Palmetto State’s energy landscape is shaped by nuclear baseload generation, growing solar capacity, and the legacy of the V.C. Summer nuclear project.
South Carolina’s Regulated Electricity Market
South Carolina operates a fully regulated electricity market. Your electric utility is determined by your physical address, and both the generation and delivery of electricity are bundled into a single rate set by the utility and approved by the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC). Unlike neighboring states with partial deregulation, SC has not pursued retail electricity choice for residential or small commercial customers.
Duke Energy Carolinas
Serves the Upstate region including Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and Rock Hill. Duke Energy Carolinas operates the Oconee Nuclear Station (2.5 GW) and the Catawba Nuclear Station (shared with North Carolina), providing reliable baseload power.
Duke Energy Progress
Serves the Pee Dee region and portions of the coast including Florence, Darlington, and Hartsville. Duke Energy Progress operates the Robinson Nuclear Plant and has invested significantly in solar generation across the Carolinas.
Dominion Energy South Carolina
Formerly SCE&G (South Carolina Electric & Gas), Dominion Energy SC serves the Columbia metro area, Charleston, Aiken, and surrounding communities. The utility is still managing the financial aftermath of the abandoned V.C. Summer nuclear expansion project.
Santee Cooper
South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility serves customers directly in portions of Berkeley, Georgetown, and Horry counties (including Myrtle Beach) and provides wholesale power to 20 electric cooperatives serving an additional 800,000+ customers statewide.
Electric Cooperatives in South Carolina
South Carolina is served by 20 electric cooperatives that purchase wholesale power from Santee Cooper and serve over 800,000 customers across rural and suburban areas. Major co-ops include Central Electric Power Cooperative, Berkeley Electric Cooperative, and Horry Electric Cooperative. Co-op rates are generally comparable to or slightly below investor-owned utility rates.
South Carolina’s Energy Profile
South Carolina’s electricity comes from a diverse generation mix anchored by nuclear power. The state is also one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the Southeast.
Nuclear generation is the backbone of South Carolina’s power supply. The state’s four operating nuclear reactors—Oconee (3 units, Duke Energy) and Robinson (1 unit, Duke Energy Progress)—plus shared capacity from Catawba in North Carolina provide over half of all electricity generated in SC. This heavy nuclear reliance helps keep rates stable and carbon emissions relatively low.
The V.C. Summer Nuclear Project
In 2017, South Carolina’s energy landscape was shaken when Santee Cooper and SCE&G (now Dominion Energy SC) abandoned the $9 billion V.C. Summer Units 2 & 3 nuclear expansion project after years of cost overruns and construction delays. The fallout included criminal charges against SCANA executives, Dominion Energy’s acquisition of SCANA, and ongoing rate impacts for Dominion Energy SC customers who continue to bear some of the project’s costs.
The incident prompted significant regulatory reform in South Carolina, including the repeal of the Base Load Review Act that had allowed utilities to charge customers for plants under construction.
South Carolina Business Electricity Rates
South Carolina’s commercial electricity rate of 10.88¢/kWh is 23% below the national average, making the state competitive for energy-intensive industries. The combination of affordable power, a business-friendly regulatory environment, and access to the Port of Charleston has attracted significant manufacturing and logistics investment.
Automotive Manufacturing
South Carolina’s automotive sector includes BMW’s largest global factory in Spartanburg, Volvo Cars’ North American plant in Ridgeville, and a growing network of EV and battery manufacturers. These facilities require massive, reliable electricity supply.
Logistics & Distribution
The Port of Charleston and growing inland port network drive significant warehouse and distribution center development. Refrigerated storage facilities and automated sorting centers have substantial electricity needs.
Tourism & Hospitality
Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head drive SC’s $28 billion tourism industry. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, and entertainment venues require reliable, cost-effective power year-round.
How to Lower Your South Carolina Electricity Bill
While you can’t switch providers in South Carolina’s regulated market, there are still effective ways to reduce your electricity costs:
Time-of-Use Plans
Duke Energy and Dominion Energy SC offer optional time-of-use rate schedules. By running major appliances, EV chargers, and pool pumps during off-peak hours, you can reduce your effective rate by 15–25%.
Solar Programs
South Carolina offers a state tax credit of 25% for solar installations (up to $3,500) on top of the 30% federal ITC. Net metering is available from all major utilities, making rooftop solar increasingly economical.
Efficiency Rebates
Duke Energy and Dominion Energy SC offer rebates on smart thermostats ($75), HVAC upgrades, insulation, and ENERGY STAR appliances. Given SC’s hot summers, upgrading to a high-efficiency heat pump can cut cooling costs by 30–40%.
South Carolina’s Summer Challenge
Despite having per-kWh rates well below the national average, South Carolina households often face higher-than-expected monthly bills. The culprit: summer heat and humidity. SC residents consume roughly 13,000 kWh per year—about 15% more than the national average—driven by air conditioning demand from May through September. Investing in insulation, sealing air leaks, and upgrading to a variable-speed heat pump are the highest-impact strategies for lowering bills.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Electricity
What is the average electricity rate in South Carolina?
South Carolina’s average residential electricity rate is 15.71¢/kWh as of April 2026—approximately 13% below the national average of 18.05¢/kWh. Commercial rates average 10.88¢/kWh.
Is South Carolina a deregulated electricity state?
No. South Carolina is a regulated electricity market. Your utility is determined by your address, and you cannot choose your electricity provider. Rates are set by utilities and approved by the South Carolina Public Service Commission.
Who are the major electric utilities in South Carolina?
Duke Energy Carolinas serves the Upstate (~700,000 customers). Duke Energy Progress serves the Pee Dee region (~200,000). Dominion Energy South Carolina (formerly SCE&G) serves the Midlands and Lowcountry (~750,000). Santee Cooper is the state-owned utility serving ~190,000 direct customers and wholesaling to 20 co-ops.
Why are South Carolina electricity rates below the national average?
SC benefits from heavy nuclear generation (53% of electricity), which provides low-cost baseload power. The state also has affordable natural gas, growing solar capacity, a moderate cost of living, and lower infrastructure costs compared to northeastern states.
What is the average monthly electric bill in South Carolina?
The average SC household pays approximately $155–$165/month for electricity. While per-kWh rates are below average, SC residents use more electricity (~13,000 kWh/year) than the national average due to hot, humid summers requiring heavy air conditioning.
Does South Carolina have net metering for solar?
Yes. South Carolina’s major utilities offer net metering programs that credit solar customers for excess energy sent back to the grid. Combined with the state’s 25% solar tax credit (up to $3,500) and the 30% federal ITC, rooftop solar is increasingly cost-effective in SC.
How do I report a power outage in South Carolina?
Duke Energy: 800-769-3766 or duke-energy.com. Dominion Energy SC: 888-333-4465 or dominionenergy.com. Santee Cooper: 888-769-7688 or santeecooper.com. All utilities offer outage maps and mobile apps.
About this Data
Rate data is sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the South Carolina Public Service Commission, Duke Energy, Dominion Energy South Carolina, Santee Cooper, and the ElectricChoice.com electric rate marketplace. Last data refresh: April 2026.
