Maine 2026 Standard Offer Rate Increases
Maine's 2026 standard offer supply rates rose sharply at January 1: CMP 12.72 cents, Versant Bangor Hydro District 12.95 cents, and Maine Public District 14.87 cents per kWh. The Public Advocate cited ISO-NE market conditions. Shop competitive supply before the next January reset.
By Jason Taken, Founder, Jaken Energy
Updated September 12, 2026January 1, 2026 standard offer levels
Maine sets standard offer supply through competitive procurements overseen by the Public Utilities Commission. Effective January 1, 2026, supply rates jumped across territories [me-pa-so-2026]:
| Territory | 2026 standard offer (supply) | Reported increase band |
|---|---|---|
| CMP (Central Maine Power) | 12.72¢/kWh | ~20% vs 2025 [me-electricity-guide-2026] |
| Versant BHD | 12.95¢/kWh | ~23% vs 2025 [me-electricity-guide-2026] |
| Maine Public District | 14.87¢/kWh | ~28% vs 2025 [me-electricity-guide-2026] |
The Office of the Public Advocate responded publicly to the increases, citing natural gas prices and wholesale market pricing risks for suppliers [me-pa-so-2026]. The Electricity Guide confirms CMP 12.72¢, Versant BHD 12.95¢, and MPD 14.87¢ for 2026 [me-electricity-guide-2026] [me-mpuc-cmp-so]. Standard offer is supply only; delivery and demand remain on your wires utility bill.
Maine adult-use and medical cultivators pulling 100,000+ kWh/month feel supply resets immediately. See Maine cultivation facility energy for load benchmarks.
Why ISO-NE moves Maine supply
Maine is electrically tied to ISO-NE, the same regional grid behind Massachusetts basic service spikes [me-pa-so-2026]. Drivers parallel our August 2026 Massachusetts basic service post:
- Natural gas-linked wholesale power
- Winter peak stress
- Capacity market costs
Standard offer auctions translate those inputs into a fixed annual supply price for eligible default customers [me-pa-so-2026]. Larger C&I accounts may instead face monthly pricing; see our Maine medium/large C&I post.
Worked example: CMP 12.72¢ on a grow
Inputs we chose.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Monthly kWh | 125,000 |
| CMP standard offer | 12.72¢/kWh [me-pa-so-2026] |
| Monthly supply | 125,000 × $0.1272 = $15,900 |
| Prior year illustrative @ 10.5¢ | $13,125 |
| Increase | +$2,775/month |
Add Versant or MPD premiums if your meter sits in those territories (12.95¢ or 14.87¢) [me-pa-so-2026]. Delivery demand charges depend on tariff class on Maine commercial rates.
Shopping before the next January 1 reset
Maine's January 1 calendar makes Q4 the usual shopping window [me-pa-so-2026]. Under Maine switching:
- Compare retail fixed offers to your territory's standard offer
- Confirm ISO-NE capacity pass-through language
- Align start date with January procurement if avoiding double switches
- Review evergreen/auto-renew clauses before signing 36-month deals
Community-based programs exist in some towns; verify whether aggregation beats standard offer for C&I accounts separately from residential enrollments.
Medium/large accounts: different rules
If your grow exceeds small C&I thresholds, you may already be on monthly standard offer pricing rather than the annual fixed product [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Budget certainty requires either opting into shorter fixed windows where available or contracting with a third-party supplier.
Do not assume the 12.72¢ headline applies to your rate class without reading the bill.
Takeaway
Maine's 2026 standard offer landed at 12.72¢ (CMP), 12.95¢ (Versant BHD), and 14.87¢ (MPD) [me-pa-so-2026]. That is a 20–28% supply step-up tied to ISO-NE conditions [me-pa-so-2026].
Shop competitive supply, manage delivery demand, and calendar Q4 decisions before the next January 1 reset.
Public Advocate bill impact statement
Public Advocate Heather Sanborn said customers face $13–$17 per month average increases after the 2026 standard offer bids [me-pa-so-2026]. Cultivation sites using 10,000+ kWh/month scale that linearly on supply unless efficiency cuts load [me-electricity-guide-2026].
Versant MPD premium
Maine Public District at 14.87¢ exceeds CMP 12.72¢ by 2.15¢ [me-electricity-guide-2026]. A 100,000 kWh month pays $2,150 more on MPD than CMP for supply alone. Site selection near service territory borders is an energy decision, not just real estate.
Competitive provider table caution
The Public Advocate maintains a competitive electricity provider table updated August 1, 2026 [me-electricity-guide-2026 context]. Renewable percentage labels on products require supplier verification per OPA disclaimers.
ISO-NE winter follow-through
Natural gas and wholesale risk premiums Sanborn cites [me-pa-so-2026] may persist into 2027 procurement. Locking January 2026 retail fixed through December 2027 may beat or trail two consecutive SO increases depending on markets.
Reporting and compliance
Maine operators should separate SO supply decisions from state cannabis compliance energy disclosures. Metering for regulators should match supplier settlement meters to avoid reporting drift.
MPUC bid acceptance timing
The PUC accepted 2026 standard offer bids in November 2025 with Public Advocate response November 20, 2025 [me-pa-so-2026]. 2027 bids will follow a similar Q4 calendar, making October shopping a recurring operational task [me-electricity-guide-2026].
OPA competitive provider monitoring
The Office of the Public Advocate publishes competitive electricity provider pricing tables updated through 2026 [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Standard offer at 12.721¢ CMP and 12.954¢ Versant BHD sets the no-ETF benchmark for calendar 2026 [me-electricity-guide-2026] [me-mpuc-cmp-so]. Retail offers with early termination fees must beat SO by enough to cover exit risk if canopy plans change.
Small business $13–$17 framing
Sanborn's $13–$17/month average increase quote uses residential/small commercial usage bands [me-pa-so-2026]. Multiply that logic for 50,000–200,000 kWh cultivation loads: supply at +20–28% dominates P&L even when delivery is stable [me-electricity-guide-2026].
Versant MPD 14.87¢ gap
MPD 14.87¢ exceeds CMP 12.72¢ by 2.15¢ on the same 2026 calendar [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Territory selection is a supply cost decision for multi-site operators [me-mpuc-cmp-so].
Natural gas wholesale link
Sanborn tied increases to natural gas markets and supplier pricing risk [me-pa-so-2026]. ISO-NE power follows gas; 2027 SO procurement may repeat volatility if gas forwards stay elevated [me-pa-so-2026].
Q4 shopping window
January 1 SO changes make Q4 the habitual shopping season [me-electricity-guide-2026] [me-pa-so-2026]. Missing December deadlines locks another year on 12.72¢+ supply [me-electricity-guide-2026].
How MPUC standard offer bids are accepted
The Maine PUC accepts standard offer supply bids through competitive solicitations, with 2026 bids accepted in November 2025 and a Public Advocate response November 20, 2025 [me-pa-so-2026]. Two solicitations per year each cover 50% of twelve-month need for small C&I and residential fixed products [me-electricity-guide-2026].
Winning bidders must meet credit and licensing requirements; the Electricity Guide Spring 2026 lists 12.721 cents for CMP and 12.954 cents for Versant BHD as the 2026 calendar-year fixed prices [me-electricity-guide-2026] [me-mpuc-cmp-so]. Those figures are the no early-termination-fee benchmark when evaluating retail offers with ETFs.
CMP versus Versant territory selection for MSOs
Maine Public District at 14.87 cents exceeds CMP 12.72 cents by 2.15 cents on the same calendar [me-electricity-guide-2026]. A 100,000 kWh month pays $2,150 more on MPD than CMP for supply alone. Real estate decisions near service territory borders are energy decisions for multi-site operators.
Versant Bangor Hydro District sits at 12.95 cents, between CMP and MPD [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Map meters before corporate procurement mandates a single statewide target rate. Read Maine commercial electricity rates and Maine switching steps.
Natural gas linkage and 2027 procurement risk
Public Advocate Heather Sanborn tied 2026 increases to natural gas markets and supplier pricing risk premiums in ISO-NE [me-pa-so-2026]. If gas forwards stay elevated through 2026, 2027 standard offer bids may repeat volatility [me-pa-so-2026].
Operators locking retail fixed supply through December 2027 bet against a second SO spike; operators staying on default bet they can shop in Q4 2026 before January 2027 bids finalize [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Neither choice is universal; compare trailing twelve-month SO to all-in retail using fixed vs index contracts.
OPA competitive provider table updated August 2026
The Office of the Public Advocate publishes competitive electricity provider pricing tables updated through 2026 [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Standard offer at 12.721 cents CMP sets the no-ETF benchmark for calendar 2026 [me-electricity-guide-2026] [me-mpuc-cmp-so]. Retail offers with early termination fees must beat SO by enough to cover exit risk if canopy plans change [me-electricity-guide-2026].
Small business $13–$17 framing at cultivation scale
Sanborn's $13–$17/month average increase quote uses residential/small commercial usage bands [me-pa-so-2026]. A 50,000 kWh cultivation load scales supply impact far beyond $17 even when delivery is stable [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Build kWh-based models, not residential press examples.
Q4 shopping deadline discipline
January 1 SO changes make Q4 the habitual shopping season [me-electricity-guide-2026] [me-pa-so-2026]. Missing December enrollment deadlines locks another year on 12.72 cents+ supply [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Calendar October procurement reviews alongside Maine January 1 shopping window post.
Community aggregation versus C&I eligibility
Some Maine towns run community aggregation programs that beat standard offer for residential accounts [me-electricity-guide-2026]. C&I cultivation meters may be excluded or require separate opt-in [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Verify program terms before assuming municipal enrollment replaces third-party supply [me-pa-so-2026].
ISO-NE FCM and winter procurement
ISO-NE Forward Capacity Market charges embed in standard offer procurement alongside gas-linked energy [me-pa-so-2026]. 2027 SO bids in Q4 2026 will reflect FCM and gas forwards then prevailing [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Operators staying on default should shop before November bid acceptance [me-mpuc-cmp-so].
Worked example: MPD premium on 100,000 kWh
| Territory | 2026 SO rate | Monthly supply at 100k kWh |
|---|---|---|
| CMP | 12.72¢ [me-electricity-guide-2026] | $12,720 |
| Versant BHD | 12.95¢ [me-electricity-guide-2026] | $12,950 |
| MPD | 14.87¢ [me-electricity-guide-2026] | $14,870 |
| MPD vs CMP spread | +2.15¢ | +$2,150/month |
Site selection near territory borders is an energy decision for multi-site operators [me-pa-so-2026] [me-mpuc-cmp-so].
Shop competitive supply, manage delivery demand, and calendar Q4 decisions before the next January 1 reset [me-pa-so-2026] [me-electricity-guide-2026]. Medium and large C&I accounts on monthly SO should read our Maine medium/large C&I post before assuming 12.72 cents CMP applies [me-electricity-guide-2026].
Frequently asked questions
What are Maine's 2026 standard offer rates?
Public reporting for January 2026 standard offer supply cites approximately 12.72 cents per kWh for CMP, 12.95 cents for Versant Bangor Hydro District, and 14.87 cents for Maine Public District, representing roughly 20–28% increases depending on territory.
When does Maine reset standard offer?
Maine standard offer supply resets annually on January 1 for the default fixed-price product available to many residential and small commercial customers.
Can Maine cannabis cultivators choose a supplier?
Yes. Maine allows competitive electricity suppliers for eligible accounts. Your wires utility continues to deliver power and bill delivery charges.
Why did rates rise?
The Public Advocate and utility filings point to ISO-NE wholesale market conditions, winter gas volatility, and regional capacity costs feeding standard offer procurement.
Should I shop now or wait until December?
Many operators shop in Q4 before January 1 resets. Compare retail fixed rates to your territory's standard offer and check contract start dates against your harvest schedule.
Related reading
- How to Switch Electricity Suppliers in Maine: A Step-by-Step Guide for Cannabis Businesses
Step-by-step Maine CEP switching for cannabis accounts on CMP and Versant: standard offer tiers, enrollment, and contract rules under 35-A MRSA chapter 32.
- Maine Commercial Electricity Rates for Cannabis Facilities: CMP Classes, Standard Offer Tiers, and ISO-NE Context
Maine commercial power at 22.24 cents/kWh vs. the U.S. average, CMP and Versant delivery classes, standard offer tiers, and NMISA northern pricing.
- Maine Cannabis Cultivation Facility Energy: Winter Heat, CMP Demand Classes, and Standard Offer Exposure
Maine indoor grow power: 7,758 heating degree days, winter humidification, CMP MGS demand thresholds, worked example at 22.24 cents/kWh.
- Maine Medium and Large C&I Standard Offer Monthly Pricing
Maine medium and large C&I accounts default to monthly standard offer pricing, not the annual fixed rate. Budget certainty for grows that outgrow small C&I.
- Eversource and National Grid Basic Service August 2026 Increase
Eversource basic service hit 17.32¢/kWh and National Grid 17.19¢/kWh Aug 1, 2026. MA cultivators should compare supply before riding default.
- Maine's January 1 Standard Offer Reset: Why Q4 Is the Shopping Window
Maine standard offer resets January 1. Shop competitive supply in Q4 before CMP, Versant, and MPD winter default rates lock in.
- New Hampshire's February 1 / August 1 Default Service Resets: And the Under-Recovery That Makes Them Volatile
NH default service resets February 1 and August 1. Under-recovery true-ups made August 2026 volatile; shop supply before each reset.
- NH Utilities Under-Recovered $50M on Default Service August 2026 Reset
NH utilities under-collected ~$50M on default service by April 2026. Eversource $38M, Liberty $9M, Unitil $3M. August 1 reset hit harder for default customers.
- Rhode Island's April 1 / October 1 LRS Windows: Beating the Winter Rate
Rhode Island Energy Last Resort Service resets April 1 and October 1. Cultivators should shop supply before winter LRS periods when rates spike.
- Rhode Island Energy Winter Last Resort Service: Docket 26-27-EL Rate Filing
RI Energy filed winter Last Resort Service rates near 17.7 cents for Oct 2026 through Mar 2027. What cultivators should compare before cold weather.
- RI Energy 2026 Annual Retail Rate Filing: Delivery Charges Behind Your Supply Rate
Docket 26-05-EL sets Rhode Island Energy delivery charges that apply even if you shop supply. How cultivators should read the filing and their bill.
Jason Taken founded Jaken Energy, the commercial energy procurement practice behind this site. He works with licensed cannabis operators in deregulated electricity markets to lower supply rates, manage demand charges, and evaluate efficiency upgrades.
Sources
Inline citations in this article, such as [me-pa-so-2026], refer to the entries below. Links open the primary source in a new tab.
- [me-pa-so-2026]Public Advocate responds to 2026 standard offer supply rate increases — Maine Office of the Public Advocate. Accessed 2026-09-12.
- [me-electricity-guide-2026]Electricity Guide Spring 2026 — Maine Office of the Public Advocate. Accessed 2026-09-12.
- [me-mpuc-cmp-so]Standard Offer Rates for Central Maine Power - Residential and Small Commercial Customers — Maine Public Utilities Commission. Accessed 2026-09-12.