TECO rates and the surcharge clock
Tampa Electric Company's average residential electricity price has risen from 11.5 cents per kWh in 2015 to 17.32 cents in 2025, an increase of about 51 percent, or roughly 4.2 percent per year. The chart shows TECO's average residential price by year. Hover any point for the exact figure.
Two Tampa specifics that change the math
What rising TECO rates could cost you
TECO rates have risen about 4.2% per year. Enter your bill to see what that pace of increase could compound to over time, and what you have likely already absorbed. This is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Estimate only. Projects your current bill forward at TECO's historical average rate increase (4.2% per year, from EIA data); it assumes your usage stays the same except for any add-ons you select. Actual rates depend on your usage, rate plan, and the utility's future filings, and are not guaranteed. This is general information, not financial advice.
Current residential rates
TECO residential rates are shown below, from the utility's published tariffs and the public Utility Rate Database. Rates vary by plan, season, and usage and change over time.
| Plan | Energy charge | Fixed / basic |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Residential (RS), Jan 2026 tariff, all-in for first 1,000 kWh | 15.90 cents/kWh all-in (base energy 9.569 + fuel 3.210 + storm protection 0.717 + clean energy transition 0.406 + storm surcharge 1.995; usage over 1,000 kWh steps up to ~17.90 cents/kWh) | Basic service charge 0.45 cents/day (about $0.14/month) |
| Residential Service Variable Pricing (RSVP-1), Jan 2026 | 15.10 cents/kWh all-in average (base energy 8.462 + fuel 3.516 + storm protection 0.717 + clean energy transition 0.406 + storm surcharge 1.995); time-varying, pricing tiers can shift the effective rate | Basic service charge 0.45 cents/day (about $0.14/month) |
Rates effective January 2026, per Tampa Electric's official residential rate insert (FPSC December 2024 rate-case approval). The temporary storm surcharge (1.995 cents/kWh on RS) ends August 2026, lowering bills Sept-Dec 2026. TECO's stated typical bill for 1,000 kWh/month is $176.89 once gross-receipts taxes, franchise fees, and city/state taxes are added on top of the tariff components above. The base energy charge already includes 0.621 cents/kWh for conservation, environmental, and capacity cost recovery on RS.
One for one netting in Tampa
Florida law (FPSC rules) preserves traditional 1:1 net metering for investor-owned utilities including Tampa Electric. Each kWh your rooftop solar exports to the grid offsets a kWh you draw later at the full retail rate, so exports are worth the same as the power you avoid buying (about 14 to 16 cents/kWh effective). If you produce more than you use in a month, the excess kWh credits roll forward to following months. At the annual true-up (December), any remaining surplus is paid out at TECO's lower avoided-cost rate (roughly 2 to 4 cents/kWh) rather than retail. Residential systems are generally capped at 10 kW for the simplest (Tier 1) interconnection and are expected to be sized to your historical annual usage. The 2021 legislative attempt to phase down Florida net metering was vetoed, so full retail-rate net metering remains in effect.
Building the estimate on the right rate
TECO sits in the middle of the Florida solar picture: full one for one netting like FPL and Duke, retail prices around 15 to 16 cents effective, and the usual Florida logic that self-used and monthly netted power is worth full retail while year end surplus is worth almost nothing.
Residential interconnection is simplest at 10 kW and under, and systems are expected to be sized to your historical annual usage. Build the estimate on post surcharge rates and your own twelve months of bills, then get a site-specific quote.
TECO service area
TECO serves West-central Florida, the greater Tampa Bay area, serving Hillsborough County and parts of Pasco, Pinellas (eastern), and Polk counties, including Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, and Wesley Chapel..
To confirm whether a specific address is served by TECO, check your electricity bill. A ZIP lookup tool is coming to this site.
Full data and sources
Per-utility prices are computed from EIA Form 861 (bundled residential revenue divided by sales), which reconciles to the EIA's published figures. These are public-domain U.S. government data.
| Year | TECO (c/kWh) |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 11.5 |
| 2016 | 11.27 |
| 2017 | 11.14 |
| 2018 | 11.33 |
| 2019 | 10.93 |
| 2020 | 10.08 |
| 2021 | 11.63 |
| 2022 | 13.66 |
| 2023 | 16.6 |
| 2024 | 14.67 |
| 2025 | 17.32 |
Sources: EIA Form EIA-861 detailed data files (Sales to Ultimate Customers, 2015-2024) - source for the price series · EIA Table 6, 2024 Utility Bundled Retail Sales - Residential (Tampa Electric Co: 14.67 cents/kWh) - reconciliation check · Tampa Electric official residential rate insert, rates effective January 2026 (RS, RSVP-1 tariff components) · Tampa Electric rates page · Tampa Electric - Connecting Your Solar (interconnection / net metering) · Florida Net Metering 2026 guide (FPSC retail-rate net metering, annual avoided-cost true-up)
FAQ
Does Tampa Electric offer net metering?
Yes. Florida PSC rules preserve one for one net metering for investor owned utilities including TECO. Exports offset retail purchases, about 14 to 16 cents per kWh effective, and monthly surpluses roll forward.
What is the TECO storm surcharge and when does it end?
A temporary 1.995 cents per kWh charge on residential bills stemming from storm cost recovery. It ends in August 2026, which lowers bills from September through December 2026.
What does TECO pay for surplus solar at year end?
At the December true-up, remaining surplus is paid at TECO's avoided cost rate, roughly 2 to 4 cents per kWh, rather than retail. Credits used during the year were worth full retail.
How did Florida keep net metering when other states dropped it?
The 2021 legislative attempt to phase down Florida net metering was vetoed, so the full retail framework remains in effect for TECO and the other investor owned utilities.