Westborough Electric Rates Rising As New Energy Contract Starts

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Electric utility rates in Westborough will go up this winter whether you're a National Grid customer or are signed up for the town's cheaper electricity aggregation program.

The town will start a new two-year contract with aggregation provider Westborough Power Choice in November. Rates will rise at that point, but will still be lower than the winter National Grid rate of 18.213 cents/kWh that will begin Nov. 1.

Here are how the rates for Westborough's three plans will change in November:

• Standard plan: 10.425 cents/kWh (current) to 14.32 cents/kWh
• 100% Green plan: 12.585 cents/kWh (current) to 16.39 cents/kWh
• Budget plan: 9.709 cents/kWh (current) to 13.57 cents/kWh

The three plans differ in their mix of renewable energy sources. The 100% green plan features all renewable sources, the standard plan includes a 20 percent above the state minimum mix and the budget plan contains only the state minimum.

Westborough signed the expiring contract in 2020, locking in the old rates before major events like inflation hikes and the war in Ukraine. National Grid's rate increase last winter to more than 33 cents/kWh with the company citing natural gas shortages related to Ukraine.

Westborough's new rates will be locked for two years. If you want to sign up for the town's aggregation plan, visit the Westborough Power Choice website to opt-in.