Electricity prices are about to go up in NH. Here’s why. - New Hampshire Public Radio

What the report says

New Hampshire Public Radio reports that most residential electricity customers in New Hampshire are set to see higher monthly bills beginning Aug. 1, with average increases ranging from about $6 to $18 depending on the provider. The changes affect customers of the state’s three investor-owned utilities as well as members of the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire. The state Public Utilities Commission approved the utility rate changes, while the coalition’s board approved its own new rates.

The increase is tied to the supply portion of electric bills, which reflects the cost of the power customers use and varies with consumption. NHPR reported that coalition customers in Liberty territory will pay a lower rate than Liberty’s default service, while coalition customers in Unitil and Eversource areas will pay more than non-members, adding roughly $6 per month in those territories.

Don Kreis, New Hampshire’s consumer advocate, told NHPR that higher costs are being driven by a cold winter, instability in the Middle East affecting energy markets, and a new rate-setting approach for utilities. New England relies heavily on natural gas for electricity generation, making regional prices sensitive to global fuel markets. Utilities also underestimated costs under the new system: NHPR reported shortfalls of $3 million for Unitil, $9 million for Liberty and $38 million for Eversource.

Under rules that began with February 2025 supply rates, utilities buy half their electricity at fixed prices and half through ISO New England’s daily spot market. Consumer and clean energy advocates told NHPR that this exposes customers to price swings and can push past costs into future bills, while supporters of the change had expected it could reduce costs after earlier global energy spikes.