Berkeley Electric Cooperative
Berkeley Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric utility serving over 100,000 member-accounts across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties in South Carolina, offering electricity distribution, energy efficiency programs, and propane services through subsidiary Berkeley Propane.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1940
- HeadquartersMoncks Corner, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Berkeley Electric Cooperative does
Berkeley Electric Cooperative is the largest not-for-profit electric cooperative in South Carolina, distributing electricity to over 100,000 member-accounts across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties in the state's Lowcountry region. Founded in 1940 and headquartered in Moncks Corner, the cooperative operates as a member-owned utility under a regulated franchise structure, with members also serving as owners who elect the Board of Trustees and receive profits back in the form of capital credits. The core product is electricity delivery, augmented by an extensive set of member-facing programs including smart thermostat rebates, electric vehicle support, renewable energy options, energy efficiency loans (HomeAdvantage), surge protection, outdoor lighting, dual-fuel heating systems, standby generator programs, and vegetation management. Member account management is delivered through the NISC SmartHub online portal and mobile applications, with a 24/7 outage hotline for service continuity.
The cooperative's business model is a recurring subscription on metered residential and commercial electric usage, billed monthly, with capital credit refunds issued as bill credits. Pricing is structured across standard residential and commercial rate schedules plus a Time of Day Rate option for peak-shifting behavior. A for-profit wholly-owned subsidiary, Berkeley Propane, extends the commercial footprint into propane delivery, tankless water heaters, and gas logs. Community engagement is a structural component: Berkeley Electric runs Operation Round Up charitable giving, Bright Ideas education grants, a Veterans Monument, a Youth Tour, and the SC Living Magazine, and distributes a weekly Power Talk podcast alongside a Spanish-language sister show, Conversaciones Electrificantes, the latter targeting the Lowcountry's Latin population on YouTube and local FM radio. The cooperative also operates a 14-week Electrical Lineworker Program in partnership with Trident Technical College at the Thornley Campus in North Charleston, providing scholarships and integrating students into district crew work to build a localized talent pipeline.
Operationally, the cooperative combines a regulated electric distribution franchise with grassroots political advocacy through the ACRE and COPA programs, which channel member voices to state and federal representatives. Member services include key account management for commercial accounts, dedicated outage communications, and energy audits. Strategic partnerships include Redwood Materials for lithium-ion battery recycling and Trident Technical College for workforce development. Headcount is reported in the 251-500 range, and the organization maintains a multi-channel presence across Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.
Berkeley Electric Cooperative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Berkeley Electric Cooperative
- Legal name
- Berkeley Electric Cooperative
- Website
- https://berkeleyelectric.coop
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1940
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Berkeley Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric utility serving over 100,000 member-accounts across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties in South Carolina, offering electricity distribution, energy efficiency programs, and propane services through subsidiary Berkeley Propane.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Berkeley Electric Cooperative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Utility Distribution
- NAICS
- Electric Power Distribution (221122)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)
Keywords
Where Berkeley Electric Cooperative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Moncks Corner
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Berkeley Electric Cooperative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Electric Utility Services: Berkeley Electric Cooperative generates revenue through electricity distribution services to over 100,000 member-accounts in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. As a not-for-profit cooperative, any margins are returned to members in the form of capital credits. The cooperative also offers propane services through its for-profit subsidiary Berkeley Propane.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Residential and commercial rate structures with time-of-day billing options |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Berkeley Electric Cooperative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Berkeley Electric Cooperative distributes electricity to more than 100,000 member-accounts across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties in South Carolina as a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative founded in 1940. It also operates Berkeley Propane, a for-profit subsidiary delivering propane to homes and businesses, and offers member account self-service through the SmartHub portal and mobile apps alongside energy efficiency, renewable energy, and community programs.
Product overview
Berkeley Electric Cooperative operates as a not-for-profit electric utility providing electricity delivery to over 100,000 member-accounts in South Carolina. The core offering is electricity distribution service, supplemented by the SmartHub member portal for account management. The cooperative offers various energy efficiency programs including smart thermostat rebates, electric vehicle support, renewable energy options, and energy efficiency loans. Additional services include propane delivery, outdoor lighting, surge protection, backup generation, and vegetation management. Community engagement is supported through Capital Credits (profit sharing), Operation Round Up charitable giving, SC Living Magazine, and two podcasts (Power Talk and Conversaciones Electrificantes). The cooperative also operates a 14-week Electrical Lineworker training program in partnership with Trident Technical College.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Berkeley Propane: A for-profit subsidiary of Berkeley Electric that delivers propane safely and efficiently to homes and businesses.
Products and services
- Electricity Distribution Service
- SmartHub Member Portal
- Berkeley Propane
- Surge Protection (Surge Guard)
- Outdoor Lighting Service
- Standby Power Generation (Generator Program)
- Dual Fuel Heating System
- HomeAdvantage Energy Efficiency Loans
- Electrical Lineworker Training Program
Companies that use Berkeley Electric Cooperative
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Berkeley Electric Cooperative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Berkeley Electric Cooperative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Redwood MaterialsminorBerkeley Electric Cooperative participates in a battery recycling program where collected lithium-ion batteries are sent to Redwood Materials for recycling into electric vehicle and clean energy applications. The cooperative serves as a collection site for damaged, defective, or recalled lithium-ion batteries as part of a county-wide safety initiative.
- Trident Technical CollegecoreBerkeley Electric Cooperative has partnered with Trident Technical College to develop a 14-week Electrical Lineworker Program that trains students for careers in the electric utility industry. The cooperative provides scholarships covering tuition ($1,000) and books, and students work alongside district crews when not in class. Classes are held at Trident Tech's Thornley Campus in North Charleston.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Berkeley Electric Cooperative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Duke Energy: Duke Energy is one of the largest investor-owned utilities in the US and a major electric provider in South Carolina, including in the broader Lowcountry region. Serves as the primary IOU competitor in adjacent service territories with overlapping customer base.
- Dominion Energy South Carolina: Dominion Energy South Carolina is an investor-owned electric utility serving the central and southwestern parts of South Carolina. Broad incumbent with overlapping territory, comparable end-customer offerings, and similar regulatory environment.
Others
- Touchstone Energy Cooperatives: Touchstone Energy is a national network and brand alliance of 750+ member-owned electric cooperatives in the US, of which Berkeley Electric is a member. Useful for benchmarking branding, community programs, and shared services.
Direct peers
- Cobb EMC: Cobb EMC is one of the largest member-owned electric cooperatives in the US, serving metro Atlanta. Highly comparable scale, member-owned governance, capital credit programs, and breadth of energy services and community programs.
- Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative: Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative in upstate South Carolina, with comparable size, governance, capital credit, and community engagement programs. Strong direct peer for benchmarking operations.
- Palmetto Electric Cooperative: Palmetto Electric Cooperative is another member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving the Lowcountry of South Carolina, with overlapping geography in the Hilton Head area. Highly comparable cooperative model, customer base, and service mix.
- Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC): NOVEC is a large member-owned electric distribution cooperative in Virginia serving residential and commercial members in a fast-growing region. Comparable cooperative structure, capital credit model, and member services portfolio.
- Central Electric Power Cooperative: Central Electric Power Cooperative is a generation and transmission cooperative serving distribution co-ops in Missouri. Comparable in the cooperative utility ecosystem, though focused on G&T rather than last-mile distribution.
- Pedernales Electric Cooperative: Pedernales Electric Cooperative is the largest electric distribution cooperative in Texas, serving a large and growing territory. Directly comparable as a member-owned electric distribution co-op at significant scale, with similar mix of distribution, member programs, and adjacent energy services.
Regional players
- Santee Cooper: Santee Cooper (South Carolina Public Service Authority) is a state-owned electric and water utility serving South Carolina, including wholesale power supply to electric cooperatives. Comparable in serving SC electricity demand but operates as a generation-heavy state utility rather than a member-owned distribution co-op.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Berkeley Electric Cooperative social profiles
Digital presenceBerkeley Electric Cooperative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Berkeley Electric Cooperative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Berkeley Electric Cooperative subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Berkeley Electric Cooperative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Berkeley Electric Cooperative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Berkeley Electric Cooperative
What does Berkeley Electric Cooperative do?
Berkeley Electric Cooperative distributes electricity to more than 100,000 member-accounts across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties in South Carolina as a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative founded in 1940. It also operates Berkeley Propane, a for-profit subsidiary delivering propane to homes and businesses, and offers member account self-service through the SmartHub portal and mobile apps alongside energy efficiency, renewable energy, and community programs.
Is Berkeley Electric Cooperative a public or private company?
Berkeley Electric Cooperative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Berkeley Electric Cooperative founded?
Berkeley Electric Cooperative was founded in 1940. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Berkeley Electric Cooperative based?
Berkeley Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Moncks Corner, United States, in the North America region.
How does Berkeley Electric Cooperative make money?
One revenue line is on record: electric Utility Services.
Who are Berkeley Electric Cooperative's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Duke Energy and Dominion Energy South Carolina. Touchstone Energy Cooperatives is listed as an others. Direct peers are Cobb EMC, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC), Central Electric Power Cooperative and Pedernales Electric Cooperative. Santee Cooper is listed as a regional player.
Does Berkeley Electric Cooperative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Berkeley Electric Cooperative.
What industry is Berkeley Electric Cooperative in?
Berkeley Electric Cooperative's product category is Electric Utility Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADABAC, Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities). Its NAICS code is 221122 and its SIC code is 4911.