Central Maine Power customers to see nearly 20% increase in electricity supply rates
Most Central Maine Power customers will see higher electric bills starting in January 2026, after state regulators set new standard offer electricity supply rates for 2026.The supply rates are set by the Public Utilities Commission, not Central Maine Power.Residential and small business customers with CMP service will see their standard offer rate increase from 10.61 cents to 12.72 cents per kilowatt hour, a jump of nearly 20%. The PUC says the change will add about $11 per month to the average household bill for customers using around 550 kilowatt hours of electricity each month.The new rates, which take effect Jan. 1, apply to customers who receive power through the standard offer, which is the default electricity supply for customers who haven’t chosen a competitive energy provider. According to state data, the majority of Maine households, roughly nine out of ten, receive electricity through this standard supply service.PUC Chair Philip Bartlett acknowledged the financial impact of rising energy prices but said the commission worked to secure the most competitive bids available.”We recognize that rising energy costs create real challenges for Maine households and businesses,” Bartlett said. “The Standard Offer reflects current market realities, and the Commission remains committed to securing the lowest reasonable prices for Maine electric utility customers in a challenging energy environment.”The PUC selected the new supply rates through its annual competitive bid process, as required by Maine law.The standard offer rate covers only the supply portion of the electric bill, which accounts for about 40% of the total cost for CMP customers. The rest of the bill covers delivery, including the transmission and distribution of electricity.The announcement of the standard offer rate increase comes just a day after the Public Utilities Commission rejected a rate hike request from Central Maine Power that was part of a proposed five-year workforce and grid investment plan.Under the proposal, CMP aimed to raise electricity rates by about $35 per month for the average customer over the next five years.
Most Central Maine Power customers will see higher electric bills starting in January 2026, after state regulators set new standard offer electricity supply rates for 2026.
The supply rates are set by the Public Utilities Commission, not Central Maine Power.
Residential and small business customers with CMP service will see their standard offer rate increase from 10.61 cents to 12.72 cents per kilowatt hour, a jump of nearly 20%. The PUC says the change will add about $11 per month to the average household bill for customers using around 550 kilowatt hours of electricity each month.
The new rates, which take effect Jan. 1, apply to customers who receive power through the standard offer, which is the default electricity supply for customers who haven’t chosen a competitive energy provider.
According to state data, the majority of Maine households, roughly nine out of ten, receive electricity through this standard supply service.
PUC Chair Philip Bartlett acknowledged the financial impact of rising energy prices but said the commission worked to secure the most competitive bids available.
“We recognize that rising energy costs create real challenges for Maine households and businesses,” Bartlett said. “The Standard Offer reflects current market realities, and the Commission remains committed to securing the lowest reasonable prices for Maine electric utility customers in a challenging energy environment.”
The PUC selected the new supply rates through its annual competitive bid process, as required by Maine law.
The standard offer rate covers only the supply portion of the electric bill, which accounts for about 40% of the total cost for CMP customers. The rest of the bill covers delivery, including the transmission and distribution of electricity.
The announcement of the standard offer rate increase comes just a day after the Public Utilities Commission rejected a rate hike request from Central Maine Power that was part of a proposed five-year workforce and grid investment plan.
Under the proposal, CMP aimed to raise electricity rates by about $35 per month for the average customer over the next five years.