Duke Energy Ohio Service Territory: Commercial Rate Guide
Duke Energy Ohio Commercial Service Territory Guide
Duke Energy Ohio serves approximately 500,000 electric customers across Southwest Ohio, including the Greater Cincinnati metropolitan area. This guide provides comprehensive information for commercial customers in Duke's service territory.
Service Territory Overview
Duke Energy Ohio's electric service territory covers:
- Primary Markets: Cincinnati, Hamilton, Middletown, Mason, West Chester
- Counties Served: Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, Brown, and portions of surrounding counties
- Grid Infrastructure: Part of PJM Interconnection regional transmission organization
- Voltage Levels: 120/240V residential, 277/480V commercial, up to 138kV industrial
Understanding Duke Energy's Rate Structure
Price to Compare (PTC): Duke Energy publishes a "Price to Compare" that represents the default supply rate for customers who don't choose a competitive supplier.
Current Market Conditions (Winter 2025-2026):
- Small Commercial (< 100 kW): ~7.2¢/kWh PTC
- Medium Commercial (100-500 kW): ~6.8¢/kWh PTC
- Large Commercial (> 500 kW): Custom pricing based on load profile
Delivery Charges: Duke Energy's delivery charges are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and include:
- Customer charge: $18-50/month depending on rate class
- Distribution charge: ~2.5-3.0¢/kWh
- Transmission charge: ~0.8-1.2¢/kWh
- Various riders and surcharges: ~0.5-0.8¢/kWh
Duke Energy Rate Classes
Rate GS (General Service): For small commercial customers with demand less than 10 kW. Typical businesses include small retail shops, offices, and restaurants.
Rate SGS (Small General Service): For commercial customers with demand between 10-500 kW. Includes most commercial buildings, strip malls, and light industrial facilities.
Rate LGS (Large General Service): For large commercial and industrial customers with demand over 500 kW. Includes manufacturing facilities, large office buildings, and distribution centers.
Rate TS (Time-of-Use Service): Optional rate for customers who can shift load to off-peak hours. Offers lower rates during nights and weekends.
Demand Charges in Duke Territory
Duke Energy assesses demand charges based on your highest 15-minute demand interval each month:
Small General Service (SGS):
- First 30 kW: Included in customer charge
- Additional kW: $8-12/kW depending on season
Large General Service (LGS):
- All kW: $10-15/kW depending on season and voltage level
- Ratchet clause: Demand charge may be based on highest demand in previous 11 months
Competitive Supply Opportunities
Ohio's deregulation allows Duke Energy customers to choose their electricity supplier while Duke continues to deliver the power. Benefits include:
Rate Savings: Competitive suppliers often offer rates 10-20% below the PTC, especially for customers with favorable load profiles.
Product Flexibility: Choose from fixed-rate, variable-rate, or hybrid products that match your risk tolerance and budget needs.
Green Energy Options: Access renewable energy certificates (RECs) or 100% green energy products not available from Duke.
Contract Terms: Lock in rates for 12-60 months to protect against market volatility.
Duke Energy Economic Development Programs
Job Retention Rate (JRR): Discounted rates for businesses that commit to maintaining or expanding employment in Ohio.
Economic Development Rider (EDR): Special rates for new or expanding businesses that create jobs and capital investment.
Interruptible Service Credit: Credits for large customers who can reduce load during system peak events.
Energy Efficiency Programs
Duke Energy offers rebates and incentives for commercial customers:
Lighting Upgrades: Rebates for LED lighting conversions, typically $0.10-0.30 per watt reduced.
HVAC Improvements: Incentives for high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment.
Custom Incentives: For large projects, Duke offers custom incentives based on energy savings.
Free Energy Assessments: Duke provides free walk-through assessments for qualifying commercial customers.
Interconnection for On-Site Generation
Duke Energy's interconnection process for customers installing solar, CHP, or other generation:
Net Metering: Available for systems up to 25 kW (residential) or 500 kW (commercial).
Standby Charges: Customers with on-site generation may face standby charges to maintain grid connection.
Interconnection Timeline: Typical process takes 30-90 days depending on system size and complexity.
Duke Energy Service Quality
Reliability Metrics:
- SAIDI (System Average Interruption Duration Index): ~90 minutes annually
- SAIFI (System Average Interruption Frequency Index): ~1.2 interruptions annually
- Better than national average due to grid modernization investments
Storm Response: Duke maintains mutual assistance agreements with other utilities for rapid storm restoration.
Customer Service: 24/7 outage reporting and customer service available at 1-800-544-6900.
Comparing Duke Energy to Other Ohio Utilities
vs. AEP Ohio: Duke's rates are typically 3-5% higher than AEP Ohio, but service territory offers proximity to Cincinnati market.
vs. FirstEnergy Companies: Duke's delivery charges are competitive with FirstEnergy's Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison.
vs. Dayton Power & Light (AES Ohio): Duke's rates are generally 2-4% lower than AES Ohio in comparable service classes.
Best Practices for Duke Energy Customers
Monitor Your Demand: Duke's demand charges can significantly impact your bill. Track your peak demand and implement strategies to reduce it.
Consider Time-of-Use Rates: If you can shift load to off-peak hours, Duke's TOU rates can save 15-25% on energy costs.
Shop Competitive Suppliers: Compare Duke's PTC to competitive supplier offers at least annually.
Leverage Economic Development Programs: If you're expanding or relocating, explore Duke's economic development rates.
Participate in Energy Efficiency Programs: Duke's rebates can significantly reduce the cost of efficiency upgrades.
Next Steps for Duke Energy Customers
Upload Your Bill: Send us a recent Duke Energy bill for a free analysis of competitive supply opportunities.
Demand Charge Analysis: We'll identify strategies to reduce your peak demand and lower your monthly bills.
Economic Development Assessment: If you're expanding, we'll help you navigate Duke's economic development programs.
Supplier RFP: We'll run a competitive bidding process with 5-10 suppliers to find your best rate.