Duke Energy Florida has announced that residential customers can expect a significant decrease in their electricity bills starting March 2026. According to the company, customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month will see their bills drop by about $44 compared to February 2026.
The reduction is tied to the annual rate adjustment and includes changes related to fuel, capacity, energy conservation, storm protection plans, and environmental compliance costs. The removal of the Storm Cost Recovery charge—put in place after hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton—is cited as a major factor behind the lower rates.
Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, addressed customer concerns: “Duke Energy Florida understands our customers face financial challenges, often making difficult decisions regarding which bill they can afford to pay,” Seixas said. “That’s why keeping costs low remains a priority for us, and we’ll continue connecting them with assistance programs and tools to help them save.”
In January and February 2026, residential rates are expected to rise by approximately $7.54 compared to December 2025. Commercial and industrial customers may see increases between 4.3% and 8.2% during this period. However, beginning in March 2026, these groups should anticipate decreases ranging from 9.6% to 15.8%, depending on specific circumstances.
Duke Energy Florida notes that electric rates can fluctuate throughout the year due to factors such as fuel prices and storm-related expenses.
To support customers facing financial hardship or seeking ways to reduce energy use, Duke Energy Florida offers several programs including free Home Energy Checks; rebates for efficiency upgrades; weatherization assistance for income-qualified households; bill credits through the EnergyWise Home Program; time-of-use rate options; budget billing for predictable monthly payments; and emergency assistance via the Share the Light Fund.
More details about these resources are available at duke-energy.com/HereToHelp and duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.
Duke Energy Florida serves about two million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida with an energy capacity of 12,300 megawatts. Its parent company Duke Energy operates across six states with over eight million electric utility customers.
Approval of these new rates is pending before the Florida Public Service Commission later this year.
“Duke Energy Florida does not profit from increased fuel costs, and the company works to shield customers from price swings, as outlined in the three-year (2025-2027) agreement reached with customer advocacy groups in 2024.”
“Rates for 2026 reflect investments to strengthen grid reliability and expand solar energy, resulting in fewer outages, faster restoration after storms and lower fuel costs.”
