Duke Energy Florida has announced that residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month will see their bills decrease by about $44 starting in March 2026. This change is part of the company’s annual rate adjustment and follows the scheduled removal of the storm cost recovery charge.
Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy in Florida, stated, “Duke Energy Florida understands that our customers face economic hardships, which often force them to make difficult decisions about which bills they can afford to pay. That’s why keeping costs low remains a priority for us, and we will continue to connect them with assistance programs and tools to help them save.”
The upcoming rate adjustment covers several components: annual fuel costs, capacity charges, energy conservation measures, the storm protection plan, and environmental compliance costs. According to the company, Duke Energy Florida does not profit from increases in fuel costs and works to shield customers from price fluctuations as outlined in a three-year agreement (2025-2027) reached with customer advocacy groups in 2024.
Rates for 2026 are expected to reflect investments aimed at improving grid reliability and expanding solar power. The company says these efforts should result in fewer outages, faster restoration after storms, and lower fuel expenses. Approval from the Florida Public Service Commission is anticipated later this year.
For January and February 2026, typical residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month may see their bills rise by approximately $7.54 compared to December 2025. Commercial and industrial customers could experience bill increases ranging from 4.3% to 8.2%, depending on various factors.
In March 2026, however, residential bills are projected to drop by about $44.16 compared with February levels for those using 1,000 kWh per month. Commercial and industrial users may expect reductions between 9.6% and 15.8%. The primary reason for this decrease is the end of storm cost recovery charges related to Duke Energy Florida’s response to hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.
The company notes that electric rates may still fluctuate throughout the year due to changes in fuel prices or storm-related expenses.
Duke Energy Florida continues offering flexible payment plans and a range of assistance programs:
– Free home energy checks (in-person or virtual), including efficiency recommendations.
– Rebates for home efficiency improvements following an energy check.
– Weatherization upgrades at no cost for qualifying low-income households.
– The EnergyWise Home program provides annual bill credits for reducing usage during peak demand periods.
– Time-of-use rates offer lower prices for shifting consumption outside high-demand hours.
– Budget billing enables predictable monthly payments regardless of usage or weather.
– The Share the Light Fund helps cover electricity bills through participating agencies.
More information on available resources can be found at duke-energy.com/HereToHelp or duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.
Duke Energy Florida serves around two million customers across a service area covering roughly 13,000 square miles in Florida with a generating capacity of 12,300 megawatts.
Parent company Duke Energy operates out of Charlotte, North Carolina and supplies electricity to approximately 8.4 million customers across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky—with a total owned generation capacity of about 54,800 megawatts. Its natural gas operations serve roughly 1.7 million customers in five states.
The company reports ongoing investments focused on grid modernization and cleaner energy sources such as natural gas, nuclear power,renewables, and energy storage systems as part of its broader transition toward smarter energy solutions while maintaining reliability for its customer base.
“Duke Energy Florida understands that our customers face economic hardships, which often force them to make difficult decisions about which bills they can afford to pay. That’s why keeping costs low remains a priority for us, and we will continue to connect them with assistance programs and tools to help them save.” – Melissa Seixas
More details are available at duke-energy.com or via social media channels including X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn,Instagram, Facebook,illumination, or through the Duke Energy News Center.
Contact: Aly Raschid
24-hour line: 800.559.3853
X: @DE_AlyRaschid
