Duke Energy is looking to raise its rates for South Carolina residential customers by more than $20 a month.

The company requested a public review of its rates from South Carolina regulators June 12 with the goal of increasing its revenue by $74.8 million, according to a news release.

If approved, the 12.1 percent revenue increase would raise electric bills by $21.66 a month for typical residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt-hours each month, the release said.

The increase would go into effect Feb. 1, 2026 if the Public Service Commission of South Carolina approves the revenue increase.

Commercial customers would see a 12.8 percent average increase, while industrial customers would see a 3.6 percent average increase. That amount can also vary depending on how much more revenue Duke Energy needs to serve those customers, the press release said.

A base rate review request like this is overseen by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina. It’s a public review process where the utility must demonstrate why the rate increase is necessary, Ryan Mosier, a spokesperson with Duke Energy, told The Post and Courier.

The commission will consider Duke Energy’s proposal over the next few months, while considering differing viewpoints from other stakeholders, Mosier said.

Part of the commission’s evaluation process also includes public hearings so it can hear directly from customers whose bills are impacted, Mosier said.

The first meetings will likely get scheduled for September, he said, most likely taking place in Florence and Sumter. There could also be public meetings in other cities Duke Energy serves. Customers may provide written comments to the commission as well, Mosier said.

This is the first time Duke Energy has requested a base rate increase for customers since 2022, Mosier said.

“Since then, we have made investments in the things our 177,000 retail electric customers expect from us: upgrades to strengthen the grid, improve reliability and storm resilience, and maintain and upgrade our generation fleet,” Mosier said.

The request is a reflection of the company’s commitment to meeting higher customer expectations, the press release said.

“These reviews deal with the investments the company has already made, are already in place and delivering benefits to South Carolina, from faster restoration times to improved reliability and operational efficiency,” Mosier said. “At the same time, we have worked hard to hold the line on day-to-day operating costs.”

Those investments aided in storm preparation, the news release said, with grid improvements helping to combat power outages from Hurricane Helene.

Duke Energy Progress expects a decision from the commission in early 2026. The new rates would then go into effect Feb. 1, 2026.

“We know families and businesses are juggling a lot and we do not take a request to increase rates lightly but being upfront and timely with our request is the right thing to do and in the best interest of our customers,” Tim Pearson, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president, said in the press release.