Community Power Coalition Of NH Raising Portsmouth Power Rate To 14.663 Cents Per kWh Feb. 1

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) has advised its member municipalities, including Portsmouth Community Power, that the electricity supply rates for the rate period Feb. 1 through July 31 will increase.

The new CPCNH Granite Basic default rate for residential and small commercial customers will increase to 14.663 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), from the current 13.419 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), still in effect through January 31, 2026. Rates are based upon CPCNH cost of service, including a community reserve addition sufficient to retire financing obligations in calendar year 2026. CPCNH also announced the commercial rates — General and Outdoor Lighting; and Medium.

For details on the Commercial rates, visit: Commercial Rates | CPCNH — Community Power NH.

Electric customers in NH can choose between Community Power, third-party options, or their default utility, which in Portsmouth is Eversource. For this period, the Eversource rate will be 11.3 cents per kwh. Portsmouth Community Power customers can opt in or out of the program, or “up” to select cleaner power, at any time and then switch back without penalty by visiting communitypowernh.gov or by calling 1-866-603-7697.

For more information on Portsmouth Community Power, visit portsnh.co/commpower.

“For the third rate period, CPCNH rates are higher than Eversource as CPCNH works to build prudent operating reserves,” City Councilor John Tabor, chairman of the City’s Energy Advisory Committee, which monitors the Portsmouth Community Power program, said. “We know some residents can’t afford higher utility prices right now, and they can opt out of community power, which would save, based on average household use of 650 kwh per month, $22/month for the next six months with Eversource default rates. Customers can move back and forth between Eversource and Portsmouth Community Power with no penalties.”

Eversource also offers several programs to help customers pay their electric bills. Learn about assistance programs at this link.

“Community Power still strives for lower costs and higher renewable energy choices compared to Eversource,” Tabor said. “Portsmouth Community Power gives residents and small businesses a choice when it comes to their energy supply. In the long-term, our residents will benefit from the coalition’s combined buying power of "more than 50 towns, cities and counties, now representing more than 40% of New Hampshire's customers. And being able to select options with higher proportions of renewable sources mean the City is better able to achieve its Climate Action Plan by reducing our carbon footprint and saving towards future funding of our own green energy projects.”

In making the announcement, CPCNH Board Chairwoman Kimberley Quirk said, “Retiring financing obligations and building community reserves will position local programs through CPCNH to advance their competitiveness for years to come. Community Power rates transparently reflect the organization's cost requirements to serve our communities. Our commitment to enhancing community joint reserves will help position CPCNH to continue to realize the long-term value of community power, which is rooted in local decision-making and developing a more resilient energy future. The vision of Community Power is a marathon, not a sprint, and CPCNH will continue to support our communities with the benefits that come from enhanced local control, customer choice, market innovation, project development, and public advocacy.”

To receive updates about rate changes from CPCNH sign up at this link.

Submitted by the city of Portsmouth