Duquesne Light's Price to Compare is 13.75 cents per kilowatt-hour through May 31, 2026. On June 1, it rises to 14.14 cents.
That's the highest residential default rate among major Pennsylvania utilities. Competitive suppliers are currently offering fixed-rate plans starting at 10.79 cents per kWh — a savings of nearly 3 cents on every kilowatt-hour. This guide covers what the Price to Compare means, why Duquesne Light rates have increased 34% since mid-2024, and how Pittsburgh-area customers can lock in a lower rate before summer bills peak.
What is the Price to Compare
Duquesne Light serves approximately 600,000 customers in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, including Allegheny and Beaver Counties. If you've never chosen a competitive electricity supplier, you're paying Duquesne Light's default supply rate — the Price to Compare (PTC).
The PTC covers the cost of generating electricity and transmitting it across high-voltage lines, plus Pennsylvania's gross receipts tax and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards compliance. It does not include distribution charges, which Duquesne Light collects regardless of your supplier.
Here's why this number matters: the PTC is your benchmark for shopping. If a competitive supplier offers 10.79 cents per kWh and the PTC is 13.75 cents, you save nearly 3 cents on every kilowatt-hour. At average usage, that's $200 or more per year.
For a deeper breakdown of how this benchmark works across Pennsylvania utilities, see our guide to understanding Price to Compare.
Current rate and the June 2026 increase
Duquesne Light's residential Price to Compare has climbed sharply since mid-2024. An MIT analysis found Duquesne Light prices increased by 56% between April 2021 and April 2026.
| Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| June 2024 | 10.53¢ |
| December 2024 | 10.85¢ |
| June 2025 | 12.43¢ |
| December 2025 | 13.75¢ |
| June 2026 | 14.14¢ |
The December 2025 rate of 13.75 cents per kWh represents an 11% increase over June 2025. The June 2026 rate of 14.14 cents adds another 2.8% on top.
Duquesne Light Price to Compare, June 2024 through June 2026. Source: Duquesne Light published rate filings.
Duquesne Light updates the Price to Compare twice per year: June 1 and December 1. Each update reflects wholesale market conditions from competitive energy auctions. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission published the official June 1, 2026 rate updates on May 20.
At average Duquesne Light usage of roughly 900 kWh per month, the supply charge alone exceeds $127 at the June rate. Combined with distribution charges and other fees, total bills run closer to $195. During summer months with heavy air conditioning use, bills can exceed $300.
The upward trend is not temporary. Structural changes in the regional power grid are pushing rates higher across all Pennsylvania utilities.
Why Duquesne Light rates keep rising
The 2024 PJM capacity auction increased prices by 833%. That is not a typo.
PJM Interconnection manages the power grid across Pennsylvania and 12 neighboring states, serving 65 million people. Every year, PJM runs a capacity auction to ensure enough power plants exist to meet peak demand. The auction sets a price that generators receive for being available, and utilities like Duquesne Light pass these capacity costs directly to customers.
In the 2024 auction, capacity prices jumped from $28.92 per megawatt-day to $269.92. The June 2026 auction pushed prices even higher, to $329.17 per megawatt-day — a 22% increase over 2024.
PJM capacity auction clearing prices. The 2024 auction increased prices by 833%. Source: PJM Interconnection.
Three factors drove the spike:
- Coal plant retirements. Older generation facilities are shutting down faster than new ones come online. The grid has less buffer capacity than it did five years ago.
- Data center growth. Electricity-hungry facilities across the region have increased peak demand forecasts. Northern Virginia and surrounding areas host some of the world's largest data center clusters, all drawing from PJM.
- Electrification trends. EV adoption and heat pump installations add load that the grid must accommodate. These technologies shift demand patterns in ways that require more standby generation.
Duquesne Light phased in these capacity costs across multiple billing periods: June 2025, December 2025, June 2026, and December 2026. Each update brings another slice of the bill.
Governor Josh Shapiro filed a complaint with federal regulators, arguing the auction process is flawed and results in higher prices without guaranteeing reliability. His administration reached an agreement with PJM to cap future capacity prices, projected to save Pennsylvania ratepayers $4 billion through 2028. But that relief applies to future auctions. The June 2026 rate is already locked in.
For more on how deregulation shapes these market dynamics, see our Pennsylvania electricity deregulation guide.
How to beat the Price to Compare
Switching suppliers takes about five minutes and costs nothing. Your service continues without interruption.
Know your benchmark
The current PTC is 13.75 cents per kWh. After June 1, it becomes 14.14 cents. Any fixed-rate plan below these numbers saves money.
Current plans that beat the PTC
Several suppliers are offering rates below Duquesne Light's default as of late May 2026:
| Plan | Rate | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Clearview Energy ClearGuarantee24Plus | 10.79¢/kWh | 24 months |
| Clearview Energy ClearGuarantee6Plus | 10.99¢/kWh | 6 months |
| American Power & Gas Fixed | 11.29¢/kWh | 3 months |
Rates vary by ZIP code and change frequently. Check current availability for your address before making a decision.
Savings math
At 900 kWh per month (typical Duquesne Light household usage):
- Duquesne Light default (13.75¢): $123.75 supply cost
- Clearview Energy (10.79¢): $97.11 supply cost
- Monthly savings: $26.64
- Annual savings: $320
Higher-usage households save more. If you run central air conditioning heavily in summer, your usage might hit 1,200 kWh or higher, pushing annual savings above $420.
The savings gap is larger than any other Pennsylvania utility because Duquesne Light has the highest default rate. Pittsburgh customers have the most to gain from switching.
How to switch
- Visit PA Power Switch (the state's official comparison tool) or a licensed comparison site
- Enter your ZIP code to see available suppliers
- Compare rates against the current Price to Compare
- Enroll online with your Duquesne Light account number (found on your bill)
- Wait one to two billing cycles for the switch to complete
No phone calls to Duquesne Light are required. The switch happens automatically once you enroll with your new supplier.
What does not change
Switching suppliers only changes who supplies your electricity. Duquesne Light still:
- Delivers power to your home
- Handles all outage repairs
- Sends your monthly bill
- Maintains the poles and wires
There is no service interruption during the switch. Your lights stay on. If the power goes out during a storm, you call Duquesne Light, not your supplier.
For step-by-step instructions, see our guide to switching suppliers in Pennsylvania. To understand whether a fixed or variable rate makes sense for your situation, see our fixed vs. variable rate comparison.
You can also view all current plans in your area on our Duquesne Light utility page.
At nearly 3 cents per kWh below the current PTC, the savings compound every month you stay locked in. The rate goes up June 1 whether you act or not.
FAQ
What happens if I switch suppliers and there's an outage?
Duquesne Light handles all outages regardless of your electricity supplier. Your supplier only provides the generation portion of your bill. Duquesne Light owns the poles, wires, and transformers, and dispatches repair crews when something goes wrong.
Is there a fee to switch suppliers?
No. Switching is free. The process takes one to two billing cycles to complete. Early termination fees may apply if you leave a fixed-rate contract early, so check your plan terms before canceling.
Should I choose a fixed or variable rate?
Fixed rates protect against the quarterly increases we've seen. Variable rates can be cheaper during mild months but carry risk during summer peaks when wholesale prices spike. For most Duquesne Light customers, fixed rates offer more predictable bills and better protection against continued rate increases.
When does the next Duquesne Light rate change happen?
June 1, 2026. The new Price to Compare of 14.14 cents per kWh will remain in effect through November 30, 2026. The next update comes December 1, 2026.