(The Center Square) — Data from the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) and the federal government show the state’s electricity rates remain competitive with other states.
Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL), the largest electricity supplier in the Sunshine State with over 12 million accounts statewide, has the lowest rates of all of Florida’s providers. FPL charges an average of $121.19 per month for 1,000 kilowatt hours of use.
Second is the former Gulf Power, now part of FPL, which charges $135.39 per month for 1,000 kWh.
Tampa Electric is in the middle of the pack. Its residential customers in Hillsborough, Polk, Pinellas and Pasco Counties have an average monthly bill of $136.44 for 1,000 kWh.
Duke Energy Florida has almost 2 million customers statewide and charges an average of $157.47 per month for residential customers using 1,000 kWh. The Florida Public Utilities Company is the most expensive provider, charging an average of $165.98 for 1,000 kWh.
Some customers could possibly see an increase, however, as Duke Energy Florida and the Tampa Electric Company have filed petitions with the PSC to raise their respective base rates from January 1, 2025. The PSC will make a decision at a final hearing in August.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Florida’s residential rates for residential customers dropped from 15.75 cents per kWh in April 2023 to 14.65 cents per kWh in April 2024.
Florida’s rates remain competitive compared to neighboring states. Georgia’s residential customer per-kWh pricing rose from 13.30 cents in April 2023 to 14.10 cents per kWh. Alabama residential customers had a rate of 14.49 cents per kWh in April 2023, rising to 15.85 cents per kWh in April 2024.
Mississippi’s residential customers also had a price increase between April 2023 and April 2024, climbing from 14.08 cents per kWh to 14.64 cents per kWh.
Some of the highest electricity rates in the U.S. as of April 2024 are in the Northeast and Pacific. Massachusetts utilities charge 29.50 cents per kWh, while Connecticut charges 29.58 cents per kWh. California has a rate of 34.26 cents per kWh and Hawaii has the highest rate of all, charging 45.19 cents per kWh.
Published July 24, 2024
