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New Hampshire Cannabis Extraction and Processing Energy: Chillers, C1D1 Ventilation, and Default Service Exposure

New Hampshire's three vertically integrated Alternative Treatment Centers run chillers, vacuum ovens, solvent recovery, and C1D1 ventilation on Eversource Rate GV or LG delivery schedules keyed to monthly peak kW. Process loads are flatter than cultivation lighting blocks, which can help load factor on supply quotes, but winter boiler and reheat demand still spikes in a 7,449 heating degree day climate.

By Jason Taken, Founder, Jaken Energy

Updated September 11, 2026Last verified: September 11, 2026
Avg. commercial price
21.22 cents/kWh
June 2026
U.S. average
14.19 cents/kWh
June 2026
Energy choice
Retail electric choice with Default Energy Service (RSA 374-F)
All residential, commercial, and industrial customers of Eversource (PSNH), Unitil, and Liberty Utilities, plus members of the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, may choose a competitive supplier.
Cooling / heating degree days
299 / 7449
Annual normals; see climate source

New Hampshire figures last verified 2026-09-11. Full citations in the Sources section.

Process load on Eversource wires in a three-operator market

New Hampshire does not have an open manufacturing license pool like Maine's 80 adult-use products manufacturing facilities. RSA 126-X:7 allows no more than four Alternative Treatment Center registrations, and all three current operators (GraniteLeaf Cannabis, Sanctuary Medicinals, Temescal Wellness) are vertically integrated under a nonprofit mandate [nh-rsa-126-x]. Processing and extraction happen inside ATC facilities, not at standalone labs.

An extraction or infusion operation draws a different shape than a grow: chillers and condensing units cycle with batch schedules, vacuum ovens run timed cycles, and C1D1 classified rooms run exhaust fans continuously. The extraction processing loads page covers equipment-level math.

At Eversource, Rate G serves general service with demand not exceeding 100 kW [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Rate GV covers commercial and industrial accounts with demand up to 1,000 kW with distribution demand of $8.73 per kW for the first 100 kW and $8.43 per kW above, plus $13.05 per kW transmission demand [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Rate LG applies above 1,000 kW with kVA-based demand charges [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. A lab with two 75-ton chillers, solvent recovery compressors, and C1D1 ventilation commonly lands on Rate GV.

Where kilowatts stack in an ATC processing wing

EquipmentLoad behaviorPeak risk
Hydrocarbon chillersRamp with batch cycles; staggered starts matterTwo compressors online at once
Vacuum ovensTimed heat cycles, moderate drawOverlap with chiller ramp
Rotary evaporatorsSteady moderate loadRarely sets the interval alone
C1D1 exhaust and makeupContinuous when classified rooms runMakeup-air reheat in cold months
Hydronic reheatBoiler or electric coils on outdoor airJanuary and February mornings

With 7,449 heating degree days, every cubic foot of C1D1 makeup below room setpoint needs reheat [noaa-cag-new-hampshire]. November through March favors humidification and heat recovery over rejection of outdoor moisture [noaa-cag-new-hampshire]. Reheat on idle batch days can still set Eversource billing demand.

Napkin math for a co-located ATC extraction wing

Picture 120 kW of chillers and compressors at batch peak, 35 kW of ovens and ancillaries, 30 kW of C1D1 ventilation and makeup, and 20 kW of office and packaging circuits. Interval peak near 205 kW before delivery demand multipliers.

Annual kWh worksheet (illustrative inputs only):

LoadAssumptionAnnual kWh
Process equipment80 kW average across operating hours700,800
C1D1 ventilation30 kW continuous262,800
Office and packaging20 kW continuous175,200
Total1,138,800

At the EIA June 2026 New Hampshire commercial average of 21.22 cents per kWh, that is about $242,000 a year [eia-epm-5-6-a]. A flatter load factor than a grow may help negotiate supply closer to the industrial average of 17.47 cents, which would be about $199,000 [eia-epm-5-6-a]. Both averages sit well above the U.S. commercial average of 14.19 cents [eia-epm-5-6-a].

Delivery demand on Rate GV at 205 kW adds per-kW distribution and transmission charges on the monthly peak [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. At 205 kW billing demand, distribution demand alone runs roughly $1,700 to $1,800 per month before transmission and energy. Pull current tariff figures before budgeting demand dollars.

Staggering batch starts without TOU delivery

Eversource Rate GV has no summer on-peak delivery window like Nevada utilities; billing demand is the highest half-hour in the period [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Operational levers are chiller start sequencing and scheduling high-draw batches when makeup-air reheat is lowest.

On supply, Default Energy Service for GV and LG accounts reprices monthly within each February-July and August-January term [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Energy charges climbed from 10.528 cents in October 2026 to 19.760 cents in January 2026, roughly eighty-five percent above fall levels [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Fixed multi-year supplier contracts hedge that swing on year-round process load.

RSA 374-F supply for nonprofit processors

Eversource, Unitil, Liberty, and NHEC commercial accounts may enroll with registered Competitive Electric Power Suppliers [nh-rsa-374-f]. Steady batch facilities fit fixed contracts well; benchmark against trailing twelve-month Default Energy Service, not one winter month.

ISO New England capacity and regional network transmission ride on supplier quotes [nh-rsa-374-f]. System Benefits Charge at 0.618 cents per kWh for NHSaves and Stranded Cost Recovery stay on the delivery bill with any supplier [nh-rsa-374-f].

Enrollment steps sit on the New Hampshire switching guide. Product shapes are on fixed versus index versus block-and-index contracts.

NHSaves and service sizing for ATC expansions

NHSaves Large Business Energy Solutions funds custom HVAC, refrigeration, manufacturing process work, and retrocommissioning [nhsaves-business]. Process chillers, heat recovery, and motor VFDs typically need engineering-verified custom incentives [nhsaves-business]. Smaller wings may qualify for Small Business Energy Solutions assessments [nhsaves-business].

Request an Eversource load letter before signing a lease on expanded processing space. Transformer reservations above actual batch peaks create billing demand the nonprofit budget may never justify.

Default Energy Service month by month

Customers who do not choose a supplier take Default Energy Service under RSA 374-F [nh-rsa-374-f]. For Eversource Rate GV and LG accounts, the energy charge is set month by month within each six-month procurement period [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]:

MonthDefault energy charge (GV/LG)
August 202611.862 cents/kWh
September10.645
October10.528
November12.119
December18.350
January 202619.760

On the worked example above (1,138,800 kWh per year), January default supply alone would run about $18,800 for that month if usage were spread evenly. October default supply on the same monthly share would be about $10,000. A fixed supplier contract at 11 cents per kWh holds the monthly supply line near $10,400 year-round on that assumption.

Vertical integration on one campus meter

Each ATC cultivates and manufactures on integrated campuses [nh-rsa-126-x]. Extraction chillers and C1D1 ventilation stack on cultivation lighting load [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Batch scheduling should avoid aligning motor starts with lighting peak intervals [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

ISO-NE capacity on supplier quotes

New Hampshire sits in ISO New England [nh-rsa-374-f]. Supplier prices carry Forward Capacity Market and regional network transmission costs [nh-rsa-374-f]. Stranded Cost Recovery and System Benefits Charge at 0.618 cents/kWh remain on delivery [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

C1D1 baseline on GV accounts

Continuous classified ventilation sets baseline kW on vertically integrated ATC campuses [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Batch chillers stack peaks in the same half-hour interval as lighting [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Schedule batch starts after reviewing interval CSV [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

Interval CSV for batch scheduling

Review interval data after ninety days to align batch starts away from lighting peaks [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. ISO-NE capacity pass-through must match across bids [nh-rsa-374-f]. SBC remains on delivery with supplier [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

ATC integrated campus peaks

Three vertically integrated ATC campuses merge cultivation and extraction on shared meters [nh-rsa-126-x]. Continuous C1D1 ventilation sets baseline kW [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Batch scheduling should avoid motor starts during lighting peaks [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

Vertical ATC batch peaks

Three integrated ATC campuses stack extraction on cultivation load [nh-rsa-126-x]. Default energy monthly volatility requires supplier hedge [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

GV batch interval review

Review interval CSV after ninety days to align batch motor starts away from lighting peaks [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. ISO-NE capacity pass-through must match across bids [nh-rsa-374-f].

SBC delivery line

System Benefits Charge 0.618 cents/kWh remains after supplier enrollment [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

GV rate class and ISO-NE pass-through

Eversource New Hampshire GV secondary service bills distribution demand on batch peaks from chillers and C1D1 ventilation [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. System Benefits Charge 0.618 cents per kWh remains on the delivery bill after supplier enrollment [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Review interval CSV after ninety days of operation to align batch motor starts away from lighting peaks at co-located campuses [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. ISO-NE capacity pass-through language must match across supplier bids under RSA 374-F [nh-rsa-374-f]. Default energy monthly table guides winter comparisons when contracts expire [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

Supplemental tariff and procurement detail

RSA 374-F supplier quotes carry ISO-NE capacity; SBC 0.618 cents/kWh stays on delivery [nh-rsa-374-f] [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Interval review after ninety days aligns batch starts away from lighting peaks [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

Additional procurement and tariff notes

ATC campuses merge extraction and cultivation on integrated meters [nh-rsa-126-x]. C1D1 ventilation baseline is continuous [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

Additional load and utility notes

ISO-NE capacity on supplier quotes; SBC 0.618 cents/kWh remains on delivery [nh-rsa-374-f] [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026].

Utility territory notes for co-located labs

Most ATC processing happens at the cultivation site on Eversource wires, which serves roughly 70 percent of New Hampshire electric customers [eversource-nh-summary-rates-2026]. Unitil covers the Seacoast and Concord capital region; Liberty Utilities serves Salem, Pelham, Lebanon, and Hanover area accounts [nh-rsa-374-f]. NHEC members in rural central and northern New Hampshire may also choose a competitive supplier instead of Co-op Power default supply [nh-rsa-374-f]. Unitil and Liberty commercial demand charges were not verified in the September 2026 data pass, so pull their current tariff sheets before budgeting a lab outside Eversource territory.

The Maine extraction page shows how a similar lab prices out under CMP Medium General Service with 80 standalone manufacturing licenses. The Massachusetts extraction page covers Eversource G-2 demand classes and Basic Service monthly pricing in another ISO-NE state with a much larger open market. The New Hampshire rate page lays Eversource Rate G, GV, and LG side by side.

Compare with other states

Frequently asked questions

How does a New Hampshire extraction lab's load differ from a grow?

Extraction runs batch process loads: chillers cycling on extraction runs, vacuum ovens, rotary evaporators, and C1D1 exhaust fans. The load is flatter than a cultivation lighting square wave but can still spike when multiple chillers start simultaneously or when winter reheat runs alongside process cooling.

What Eversource class fits a typical New Hampshire manufacturing facility?

Rate G covers demand not exceeding 100 kW with demand charges above 5 kW. Rate GV serves accounts with demand up to 1,000 kW with per-kW distribution and transmission demand charges. Facilities with multiple large chillers and primary service may reach Rate LG above 1,000 kW.

Can scheduling extraction runs around peaks help in New Hampshire?

Yes, if you can stagger chiller starts and run high-draw batches when reheat load is lowest. The benefit is smaller than in states with time-of-use delivery rates because Eversource GV bills the monthly maximum half-hour demand regardless of time of day.

Is supply choice worth it for a New Hampshire processor?

Yes. RSA 374-F gives all commercial customers full retail choice, and Default Energy Service for GV/LG accounts resets monthly. Energy charges ran from 10.528 cents in October 2026 to 19.760 cents in January 2026. A fixed supplier contract hedges winter exposure on a process load that runs year-round.

Are there NHSaves incentives for extraction equipment?

NHSaves Large Business Energy Solutions covers custom HVAC, refrigeration, manufacturing and industrial process measures, and retrocommissioning. C1D1 ventilation and process-specific chillers would likely go through the custom track with engineering-verified savings.

How many processing facilities operate in New Hampshire?

RSA 126-X caps the state at four Alternative Treatment Center registrations. Three vertically integrated nonprofit operators handle all regulated cultivation and product manufacturing. There is no separate processor license class outside the ATC structure.

About the author
Jaken Energy

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.

  1. [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 2025U.S. Energy Information Administration. Accessed 2026-09-11.
  2. [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.
  3. [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 chargesEversource Energy (Public Service Company of New Hampshire). Accessed 2026-09-11.
  4. [noaa-cag-new-hampshire]Climate at a Glance: New Hampshire statewide heating and cooling degree days, 1991-2020 base period averagesNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed 2026-09-11.
  5. [nh-rsa-374-f]RSA Chapter 374-F: Electric Utility Restructuring (effective May 21, 1996), including 374-F:3 V default serviceNew Hampshire General Court. Accessed 2026-09-11.
  6. [nhsaves-business]NHSaves for Business: Large and Small Business Energy SolutionsNHSaves (Eversource, Liberty Utilities, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, Unitil). Accessed 2026-09-11.