ORLANDO, Fla. — Duke Energy is trying to raise its base electricity rates, leading to an average annual billing increase of 4% from 2025 through 2027.

What You Need To Know

  • Duke Energy is trying to raise its base electricity rates by an average annual increase of 4% from 2025 through 2027

  • For an average residential customer, the rate impact for just the base rate increase will be approximately $16.48 in 2025, $2.73 in 2026 and $4.93 in 2027 on a 1,000-kilowatt bill

  • Duke Energy has asked for increase rates to be effective in January 2025 and the Florida Public Service Commission says they will make a final decision later this year

  • 🔻Scroll down to watch for more🔻

Duke officials say the reason for the increase is due to population growth, technological advancements and customer expectations.  

It’s a topic going before the Florida Public Service Commission, and customers are weighing in on the proposal.

Spanish-speaking residents Norma and Maria have been residents in Central Florida for more than eight years and are customers of Duke Energy, expressing their concerns about the potential increase in their utility bill.

“Maria works in a nursery, a plant nursery, and Norma works cleaning houses, and both of them had to take off work today, and that’s how important this is to them that they were willing to take off work so they could come and share their story,” said Dr. Chelsea Rivera, Central Florida Jobs with Justice Policy Coordinator.

Through translation, Rivera says both Norma and Maria have seen an increase in their bill over the years and fear that in the future they might not have the means to pay their bill on the same salary.

“One thing that was really notable that they mentioned is that in the time that they’ve been working in their jobs, the electric company has filed more rate hikes than they’ve received raises,” said Rivera.   

Audrey Stasko, a spokesperson with Duke Energy, says the proposed investments will not only increase service to customers but it’ll also decrease outages and shorten restoration times for customers.

“This rate request will help us continue to provide that reliable service that our customers demand and deserve while also making sure that we have an eye on the future,” said Stasko.

For an average residential customer, the rate impact for just the base rate increase will be approximately $16.48 in 2025, $2.73 in 2026 and $4.93 in 2027 on a 1,000-kilowatt bill. 

“So we will be monitoring very closely to see some of the feedback from our customers, but overall at Duke Energy we have an immense amount of reasonability to provide reliable power 24/7,” said Stasko.

After the public hearings, the Florida Public Commission will then have a technical hearing in August, when evidence and testimony from the company will be presented.

Duke Energy has asked for the increased rates to be effective in January 2025. The commission says they will make a final decision later this year.