New Hampshire Electricity Rates
New Hampshire was one of the first states to deregulate its electricity market, passing restructuring legislation in 1996 with full retail choice available since 2001. With rates averaging 27.39¢/kWh—52% above the national average—Granite State residents have strong incentive to compare competitive suppliers. The state’s four utilities handle delivery while Competitive Electric Power Suppliers (CEPS) compete for your generation business.
Key Takeaways
New Hampshire Avg Rate
U.S. National Average
How New Hampshire Electricity Deregulation Works
New Hampshire passed HB 1392 in 1996, restructuring its electricity market to separate generation from delivery. The state completed the transition to full retail choice by 2001 after resolving stranded cost recovery with its utilities. Today, licensed Competitive Electric Power Suppliers (CEPS) compete for customers across all four utility territories.
Identify Your Utility
Check your bill for Eversource (southern NH), Unitil (Concord/Seacoast), Liberty Utilities (central NH), or NH Electric Cooperative (central lakes region).
Compare CEPS
Browse licensed Competitive Electric Power Suppliers and compare supply rates, contract terms, and renewable options. The NH PUC website and ElectricChoice.com provide resources.
Select & Enroll
Choose a plan and sign up with your chosen CEPS. They handle the enrollment notification to your utility.
Start Saving
The switch completes within 1–2 billing cycles with zero service interruption. Your utility continues delivering power and handling outages.
New Hampshire Electric Utilities
Eversource Energy
Formerly Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH), Eversource serves approximately 520,000 customers in southern and central New Hampshire, including Manchester, Nashua, and Concord. The largest utility in the state. Outage line: 800-662-7764.
Unitil Energy Systems
Serves approximately 75,000 customers in the Concord area and NH Seacoast region, including parts of Concord, Exeter, Hampton, and surrounding communities. Outage line: 888-301-7700.
Liberty Utilities
Formerly Granite State Electric and NH Electric Co-op (some territories). Serves approximately 44,000 customers in parts of central New Hampshire. Part of Algonquin Power & Utilities. Outage line: 855-349-9455.
NH Electric Co-op
A member-owned cooperative serving approximately 85,000 members across 115 communities in central New Hampshire, including the Lakes Region and parts of the White Mountains. NH Electric Co-op also supports retail choice. Outage line: 800-698-2007.
Best Time to Shop for NH Electricity
Spring: Mar–May
Heating season ends and ISO-NE wholesale prices drop. CEPS offer their most competitive rates to attract new customers during this shoulder season.
Winter: Dec–Feb
New Hampshire’s cold winters drive natural gas demand and ISO-NE wholesale prices higher. Pipeline constraints can cause dramatic price spikes. Lock in a fixed rate before December.
Fall: Sep–Nov
Summer demand fades and wholesale prices retreat. An excellent window to lock in a competitive fixed rate before the expensive winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Hampshire Electricity
Is New Hampshire a deregulated electricity state?
Yes. New Hampshire passed electricity restructuring legislation (HB 1392) in 1996, making it one of the first states in the nation to deregulate. Full retail choice has been available since 2001 for all customers served by the state’s four utilities.
What is the average electricity rate in New Hampshire?
The average residential rate is 27.39¢/kWh—52% above the national average of 18.05¢/kWh. The commercial rate averages 20.54¢/kWh.
What is Default Energy Service in New Hampshire?
Default Energy Service is the generation supply rate for customers who haven’t chosen a CEPS. Each utility procures default service through a competitive bidding process overseen by the NH Public Utilities Commission. Rates change periodically. Compare the default rate against CEPS offers to see which saves more.
Who do I call for power outages in New Hampshire?
For power outages, contact your utility. Eversource: 800-662-7764. Unitil: 888-301-7700. Liberty Utilities: 855-349-9455. NH Electric Co-op: 800-698-2007.
About this Data
Rate data is sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, ISO New England, and the ElectricChoice.com electric rate marketplace. Last data refresh: April 2026.
