https://www.carolinacountry.com/story/electric-rate-increase-effective-january-1-2026
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Yes, North Carolina is seeing electricity fee increases
, with some co-ops like Four County EMC implementing hikes in January 2026 due to rising wholesale costs, while major provider Duke Energy has multi-year approved increases and further proposals that extend into and beyond 2026, affecting customers across the state for grid upgrades and operations. Specific Rate Changes & Proposals
- Four County EMC: Implemented a rate increase starting January 1, 2026, to cover rising wholesale power costs from NCEMC and Duke Energy.
- Duke Energy Carolinas: Received approval for multi-year rate increases, with a significant hike starting January 2024, bringing typical bills up, with further projected rises into 2026 and beyond to fund grid improvements.
- Duke Energy Progress: Also faces proposed rate hikes, with significant increases requested and potentially taking effect in 2027, following earlier approvals.
Why Rates Are Rising
- Increased Costs: Higher expenses for generating and delivering power, including transmission costs.
- Grid Modernization: Investments in improving and expanding the electric grid, infrastructure, and supporting future growth.
- Inflation & Demand: General economic factors and increased electricity demand also contribute to rising prices.
What This Means for You
- Expect your bills to increase as these approved and proposed rates are implemented.
- The exact impact depends on your energy usage, but rates are generally going up for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
