South Carolina Electricity Rates: Dominion Energy & Duke Energy Guide

South Carolina residents pay an average of approximately 13.8 cents per kWh for residential electricity, which is slightly above the national average. The state's electricity market is regulated, meaning customers are assigned a utility based on their location.

Major Utilities in South Carolina

Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC)

Formerly SCE&G (South Carolina Electric & Gas), Dominion Energy SC serves approximately 760,000 electric customers in the central and southern parts of the state, including the Columbia metropolitan area.

Average residential rate: ~14.2¢/kWh
Service area: Columbia, Charleston (partial), Aiken, Orangeburg
Rate structure: Inclining block rate with seasonal adjustments

Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC)

Duke Energy serves approximately 600,000 customers in the northwestern part of South Carolina, including the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metro area.

Average residential rate: ~12.8¢/kWh
Service area: Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Rock Hill
Rate structure: Tiered rate with seasonal variation

Santee Cooper (South Carolina Public Service Authority)

A state-owned utility that serves approximately 190,000 retail customers directly and provides wholesale power to 20 electric cooperatives.

Average residential rate: ~12.5¢/kWh
Service area: Berkeley, Georgetown, Horry counties (Myrtle Beach area)
Unique status: State-owned, governed by a board appointed by the Governor

Electric Cooperatives

Twenty electric cooperatives serve approximately 800,000 customers in rural areas, purchasing wholesale power primarily from Santee Cooper and Duke Energy.

Understanding Your South Carolina Bill

Dominion Energy SC Bill Components

Basic Service Charge: Fixed monthly fee of approximately $10.50

Energy Charge: Tiered per-kWh rate

Summer (June–September): Higher rates due to air conditioning demand
First 500 kWh: ~11.5¢/kWh
Over 500 kWh: ~14.8¢/kWh
Winter (October–May): Lower rates
First 500 kWh: ~10.8¢/kWh
Over 500 kWh: ~12.5¢/kWh

Fuel Cost Recovery: Variable charge reflecting actual fuel costs

Demand Side Management Rider: Funds energy efficiency programs

Nuclear Decommissioning Rider: Funds future nuclear plant retirement costs

The V.C. Summer Nuclear Plant Impact

South Carolina ratepayers have been significantly affected by the abandoned V.C. Summer nuclear expansion project. Dominion Energy SC (then SCE&G) collected approximately $2.2 billion from ratepayers for a nuclear plant that was never completed. A settlement resulted in:

Temporary rate reductions
Merger of SCE&G into Dominion Energy
Ongoing regulatory oversight of remaining costs

This history makes bill verification particularly important for Dominion Energy SC customers.

South Carolina Energy Assistance

LIHEAP: Administered through SC Department of Social Services
Dominion Energy's EnergyShare: Customer-funded bill assistance
Duke Energy's Share the Warmth: Similar customer-funded program
Weatherization Assistance Program: Free home weatherization
SC Community Action Agencies: Local assistance programs

Tips for South Carolina Residents

Watch your summer usage — the tiered rate structure means high summer bills can escalate quickly above 500 kWh
Compare your utility's rates — there's a meaningful difference between Dominion (~14.2¢) and Duke (~12.8¢) in SC
Review V.C. Summer charges — Dominion Energy SC customers should verify they're receiving proper credits from the settlement
Explore solar options — South Carolina's solar tax credit (25% state credit) stacks with the federal credit
Check cooperative rates — if you're served by a co-op, compare rates to investor-owned utilities in your area

How South Carolina Compares

South Carolina's rates are higher than several neighboring states. See the detailed comparisons:

View all South Carolina electricity rates →

South Carolina Electricity Rates: Dominion Energy & Duke Energy Guide