New Hampshire Cannabis Dispensary Retail Energy: Rate G Small Commercial, Storefront Loads, and Supply Choice
A New Hampshire dispensary is a small to medium commercial account with a retail load profile: lighting, HVAC, security cameras, point-of-sale, and cold storage. Seven therapeutic cannabis dispensary locations operated by three nonprofit Alternative Treatment Centers sit on Eversource Rate G with demand charges above 5 kW. Every Eversource, Unitil, Liberty, and NHEC account can shop generation from a competitive supplier.
New Hampshire figures last verified 2026-09-11. Full citations in the Sources section.
What a New Hampshire dispensary actually draws
A cannabis retail store in New Hampshire is closer to a small pharmacy than to a grow room. The load stack is retail lighting, HVAC for customer comfort, security cameras and access control, point-of-sale systems, and refrigerated product storage [nh-rsa-126-x]. Three vertically integrated Alternative Treatment Center operators (GraniteLeaf Cannabis, Sanctuary Medicinals, Temescal Wellness) run seven dispensary locations in Chichester, Conway, Dover, Keene, Lebanon, Merrimack, and Plymouth [hemp-gazette-nh-tcp-2026]. Registered patients and caregivers totaled 16,846 as of June 2025 [hemp-gazette-nh-tcp-2026].
New Hampshire remains medical-only as of September 2026. There is no adult-use retail market. Energy planning for cannabis retail in the state means planning for these seven nonprofit sites only [nh-rsa-126-x].
Most standalone storefronts run 15 to 40 kW of connected load. Assume a 2,200 sq ft Merrimack dispensary with LED sales-floor lighting (7 kW), HVAC (11 kW peak), security and refrigeration (5 kW), and back-office equipment (4 kW). Connected load totals about 27 kW, but not everything runs at once. A realistic monthly peak demand is 16 to 20 kW, which keeps the account on Eversource Rate G with demand charges only on kW above 5 kW [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].
Stores that add a vault with climate control, multiple walk-in coolers, or a large backstock refrigeration room can push peak demand above 100 kW and trigger Rate GV billing with per-kW distribution and transmission demand charges [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].
Retail load breakdown by system
| Load | Typical connected kW | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sales floor LED lighting | 6 to 10 | Long hours, display focus |
| HVAC | 10 to 15 | Customer comfort, product storage climate |
| Security (cameras, access, alarm) | 2 to 4 | Continuous draw |
| Refrigeration and vault climate | 4 to 8 | Compressor starts set peaks |
| POS and back office | 2 to 3 | Minor steady load |
The dispensary retail energy costs page covers nationwide load benchmarks. New Hampshire's 7,449 heating degree days mean winter HVAC runs longer than summer cooling, but retail peaks still come from simultaneous refrigeration compressor starts and afternoon HVAC on cold sunny days rather than from lighting alone.
How Eversource and other utilities classify a retail account
| Eversource class | Demand threshold | Billing impact |
|---|---|---|
| Rate G | Demand not exceeding 100 kW | Demand charges on kW above 5 kW; transmission demand at $9.84/kW [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026] |
| Rate GV | Demand up to 1,000 kW | $242.13 customer charge; $8.73/kW distribution (first 100 kW) plus $13.05/kW transmission [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026] |
Unitil covers the Seacoast (Hampton, Exeter, Seabrook area) and the Concord capital region; Liberty Utilities serves Salem, Pelham, Lebanon, and Hanover area accounts [nh-rsa-374-f]. Both use demand-tiered general service classes with per-kW charges that were not verified in the September 2026 data pass [nh-rsa-374-f]. NHEC members in rural central and northern New Hampshire may choose a competitive supplier instead of Co-op Power default supply [nh-rsa-374-f].
For a dispensary, the practical question is whether peak demand stays below 100 kW on Rate G. Security systems, refrigeration compressors starting simultaneously, and winter HVAC can spike a 15-minute interval above the 5 kW demand threshold even when total connected load is modest. The utility rate classes page explains how class placement affects the bill.
A worked monthly cost example
Assume the 2,200 sq ft Merrimack store above with 5,800 kWh monthly usage and peak demand of 18 kW (Rate G). New Hampshire commercial electricity averaged 21.22 cents per kWh in June 2026, about 50 percent above the U.S. average of 14.19 cents [eia-epm-5-6-a].
| Line item | Calculation | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Supply (Default Energy Service, October rate) | 5,800 kWh x $0.10528 | $611 |
| Delivery (energy charges, assume ~9 cents/kWh) | 5,800 kWh x $0.09 | $522 |
| Demand (13 kW above 5 kW threshold, approximate) | blended $/kW | ~$150 |
| Customer charge | fixed | ~$20 |
| Total estimate | ~$1,303 |
That is roughly $0.22 per kWh all-in for an 18 kW peak account. A fixed-price supplier contract at 10 to 12 cents per kWh for supply would cut the supply line by $100 to $250 per month compared to January Default Energy Service rates of 19.760 cents per kWh for GV/LG accounts [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Rate G default service pricing follows a separate schedule but still resets twice a year under RSA 374-F [nh-rsa-374-f].
If the same store crosses 105 kW peak and lands on Rate GV, add per-kW distribution and transmission demand charges on the full billing demand [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. At 105 kW billing demand, distribution and transmission demand can add $1,500 to $2,000 per month depending on tariff line items.
Default Energy Service and the winter spike at retail scale
Default Energy Service is procured through competitive solicitations under RSA 374-F and reset on February 1 and August 1 each year [nh-rsa-374-f]. For Eversource Rate GV and LG customers, the default energy charge is set month by month within the period [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]:
| Month | Default energy charge (GV/LG) |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 11.862 cents/kWh |
| October | 10.528 |
| December | 18.350 |
| January 2026 | 19.760 |
Even a 5,800 kWh monthly account spends $500 or more extra in January versus October on default service alone if it bills at the GV/LG monthly rate. A 12-month fixed contract at 11 cents per kWh holds supply near $638 year-round on that usage.
The System Benefits Charge (0.618 cents/kWh, funding NHSaves) and Stranded Cost Recovery Charge remain on the delivery bill regardless of supplier [nh-rsa-374-f]. New Hampshire sits in ISO New England, so supplier prices carry Forward Capacity Market and regional network transmission costs [nh-rsa-374-f].
Why supply choice still matters at small load
Retail choice has been available since the late 1990s under RSA 374-F [nh-rsa-374-f]. A dispensary manager who never compares supplier offers pays whatever the competitive solicitation produces. The understanding your commercial utility bill page shows how to separate delivery from supply before comparing offers.
Because ATCs operate not-for-profit under RSA 126-X:8 [nh-rsa-126-x], energy savings flow to program sustainability and patient access rather than investor distributions. A fixed supply contract that removes winter volatility is often worth more to a nonprofit retail operator than speculative index exposure.
Efficiency measures that pay back fast
NHSaves Small Business Energy Solutions offers no-cost energy assessments and turnkey lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration upgrades with utility co-pay [nhsaves-business]. LED sales-floor retrofit, case lighting with occupancy sensors, and high-efficiency refrigeration compressors are the usual wins for a retail cannabis store. The prescriptive track pays per measure; larger projects go through the Large Business custom program [nhsaves-business].
Comparison to Maine and Massachusetts retail
The scale is different from neighboring states. Maine counted 187 active adult-use retail stores as of September 2026 on CMP and Versant wires with Standard Offer Service tiers. Massachusetts runs a full adult-use market with Eversource G-1 small commercial classes and Basic Service monthly pricing. New Hampshire's entire regulated retail base is seven nonprofit dispensary locations serving 16,846 registered patients [hemp-gazette-nh-tcp-2026].
The procurement mechanics rhyme: ISO-NE capacity costs, winter supply spikes, and demand-metered delivery on accounts that cross class thresholds. The Maine dispensary page shows how a similar store prices out under CMP Small General Service with a 20 kW demand threshold. The Massachusetts dispensary page covers Eversource G-1 small commercial classes in a state with full adult-use retail.
Seven dispensary locations on small general service
Three ATC operators run dispensaries in Chichester, Conway, Dover, Keene, Lebanon, Merrimack, and Plymouth [hemp-gazette-nh-tcp-2026]. Most sites land on Eversource Rate G with demand billed above 5 kW [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Supply choice still matters for kWh even when peaks stay modest [nh-rsa-374-f].
Medical-only market planning
The Senate tabled HB 186 adult-use legalization 15-9 on March 5, 2026 [norml-nh-hb186-2026]. Plan facility energy budgets on the therapeutic program only until law changes [norml-nh-hb186-2026]. Retail expansion scenarios should not assume adult-use load [norml-nh-hb186-2026].
Rate G demand above 5 kW
Eversource Rate G bills demand above 5 kW with transmission at $9.84/kW on the 2026 summary [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Larger co-located processing can push dispensary accounts toward GV [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Compare supplier offers to Default Energy Service monthly table [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].
Additional procurement and tariff notes
Seven dispensary locations on mostly Rate G [hemp-gazette-nh-tcp-2026]. Demand billed above 5 kW on Rate G [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].
Additional load and utility notes
Senate tabled HB 186 March 5, 2026; plan on medical-only load [norml-nh-hb186-2026]. 16,846 patients and caregivers June 2025 [hemp-gazette-nh-tcp-2026].
Default service monthly review
Compare supplier fixed offers to Default Energy Service monthly charges on Rate G [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Co-located processing can push retail toward GV demand billing [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].
Where to go next
- New Hampshire hub for market and regulatory overview.
- Commercial electricity rates for utility class tables.
- How to switch suppliers for enrollment steps.
Confirm current Rate G demand calculations and Default Energy Service prices on the Eversource summary rates sheet before signing a contract.
Compare with other states
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a New Hampshire cannabis dispensary use?
A typical standalone retail store runs 15 to 40 kW of connected load and bills 3,000 to 8,000 kWh per month depending on square footage, refrigeration, and security. Stores with vault climate control or large backstock refrigeration can exceed 100 kW peak and move into Eversource Rate GV with per-kW demand charges.
Can a New Hampshire dispensary switch electricity suppliers?
Yes. RSA 374-F gives all residential, commercial, and industrial customers on Eversource, Unitil, Liberty Utilities, and NHEC the right to buy generation from a registered Competitive Electric Power Supplier instead of Default Energy Service.
What delivery class does a dispensary usually land in?
Eversource Rate G covers general service with demand not exceeding 100 kW and bills demand charges on kW above 5 kW. Rate GV applies when demand exceeds 100 kW up to 1,000 kW with larger per-kW distribution and transmission demand charges. Most standalone dispensaries stay on Rate G.
Are there rebates for dispensary lighting in New Hampshire?
NHSaves Small Business Energy Solutions offers no-cost energy assessments and turnkey lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration upgrades with utility co-pay. LED retrofit incentives are available for retail accounts through the contractor hub.
How many dispensaries operate in New Hampshire?
Three vertically integrated Alternative Treatment Center operators run seven dispensary locations in Chichester, Conway, Dover, Keene, Lebanon, Merrimack, and Plymouth. Registered patients and caregivers totaled 16,846 as of June 2025.
Does adult-use legalization change dispensary energy planning?
Not yet. The House passed HB 186 in January 2026, but the Senate tabled it 15-9 on March 5, 2026. Plan retail energy budgets on seven existing medical dispensary locations until the law actually changes.
Related reading
- New Hampshire Cannabis Energy: Medical-Only Program, Electricity Choice, and Eversource Demand Charges
NH cannabis power: three nonprofit ATC operators, full retail choice on Eversource, ISO-NE default service, and rates 50% above the U.S. average.
- New Hampshire Commercial Electricity Rates for Cannabis Facilities
NH commercial power at 21.22 cents/kWh vs. U.S. average, Eversource G/GV/LG demand, default service monthly pricing, medical-only TCP context.
- How to Switch Electricity Suppliers in New Hampshire: A Step-by-Step Guide for Cannabis Businesses
NH supplier switching for medical ATC accounts on Eversource, Unitil, Liberty, and NHEC: default service, enrollment, RSA 374-F rules.
- Maine Cannabis Dispensary Retail Energy: Small Commercial Classes, Storefront Loads, and Supply Choice
What a Maine cannabis retail store pays for power: CMP small general service, security and refrigeration loads, and shopping supply on 187 adult-use stores.
- Massachusetts Cannabis Dispensary Energy: Small Commercial Classes and Basic Service on Eversource G-1
How Massachusetts cannabis retailers are billed: G-1 small general service, six-month Basic Service supply, retail HVAC in humid summers, and Mass Save rebates.
- Dispensary Retail Energy Costs: Lighting, Security, POS, HVAC
What a dispensary's electric bill is made of, CBECS retail kWh per square foot benchmarks, the 24/7 security and refrigeration baseline, and rate-class errors.
- Utility Rate Classes Explained: Small Commercial, Large Commercial, C&I
How utilities assign small, large, and C&I rate classes by peak kW, why the wrong class costs money, real tariff examples, and how to request a class review.
- Understanding Your Commercial Utility Bill (Line-Item Breakdown)
Supply vs delivery, customer charge, distribution demand, transmission, capacity, riders, power factor, and taxes, with an annotated sample bill for a grow.
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 [eia-epm-5-6-a], refer to the entries below. Links open the primary source in a new tab.
- [eia-epm-5-6-a]Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector, by State, June 2026 and June 2025 — U.S. Energy Information Administration. Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [nh-rsa-126-x]RSA Chapter 126-X: Use of Cannabis for Therapeutic Purposes (including 126-X:7 alternative treatment center cap and 126-X:8 nonprofit requirement) — New Hampshire General Court. Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]2026 Summary of Electric Rates, New Hampshire (last updated August 1, 2026): Rates G, G-OTOD, GV, LG and Default Energy Service charges — Eversource Energy (Public Service Company of New Hampshire). Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [nh-rsa-374-f]RSA Chapter 374-F: Electric Utility Restructuring (effective May 21, 1996), including 374-F:3 V default service — New Hampshire General Court. Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [hemp-gazette-nh-tcp-2026]New Hampshire Therapeutic Cannabis Program Sees Continued Patient Growth Driven by Policy Expansion (reporting DHHS data: 7 dispensary locations, 16,846 patients/caregivers as of June 2025) — Hemp Gazette. Accessed 2026-09-11.
- [nhsaves-business]NHSaves for Business: Large and Small Business Energy Solutions — NHSaves (Eversource, Liberty Utilities, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, Unitil). Accessed 2026-09-11.