National Grid Predicts Higher Winter Energy Costs In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — Energy costs in Rhode Island could be slightly higher this winter than last year, National Grid announced Thursday.

Energy rates are adjusted twice yearly. During the summer months, customers tend to use more electricity, so rates are generally lower. These supply rates reflect how much the energy costs to purchase from suppliers, National Grid said, and is not marked up.

This week, National Grid submitted its proposal to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission for this winter's rates. If approved by the commission, the seasonal rate will be in effect from Oct. 1 through March 31 for residential customers.

This winter's proposed rate is 10.491 cents per kilowatt-hour. For a customer using 500 kWh per month, that would work out to an extra $2.67 on their bill, or an increase of about 2.2 percent, compared to last years' bills. Compared to the current summer rate, that would be about $16.94, or 15.6 percent, more on the monthly bill for the same usage.

"While the upcoming winter electric supply rates are similar to what we’ve seen the past few years, we know that the higher cost of energy during these colder months can be an additional worry for our customers," said Terry Sobolewski, the president of National Grid Rhode Island. "As Rhode Island begins to climb out of the pandemic, we want both our residential and business customers to be prepared for the months ahead."

According to National Grid, the current summer rate is one of the lowest in years.