REPORT: Cooperation & Competition – The Case for an Energy Imbalance Market in South Carolina
South Carolina’s electricity market is at a crossroads. Composed of utilities operating under a vertically integrated model with limited competition, the state faces growing pressure to reduce costs, find new generation, and ensure long-term grid reliability. While efforts like the Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM) have introduced modest reforms among a subset of utilities in the region, they fall short of delivering the structural and economic benefits seen in more truly competitive markets.
This brand new report argues that Energy Imbalance Markets (EIMs) offer South Carolina the most practical, low-risk path toward market modernization without the potential problems associated with what some observers have dubbed “socialization of the grid.” EIMs increase competition, improve reliability, and deliver proven cost savings without requiring full Regional Transmission Market (RTO) membership. Drawing on national precedent and regional momentum, the report recommends that South Carolina pursue EIM development as a foundational step toward broader market reform.
