Maine standard offer rates doubled in 2024 driven by ISO-NE wholesale market constraints and gas supply tightness. Rates remained elevated through 2025. Central Maine Power (CMP) and Versant Power territories see standard offer rates between 16 and 19 cents per kWh in 2026 — among the highest in the lower 48. Maine PUC certifies competitive suppliers. Locked rates from the 6 active suppliers typically save 12 to 24 percent vs standard offer.
Why Maine standard offer doubled
ISO-NE wholesale market constraints, gas supply tightness into New England (pipeline capacity insufficient for winter peak), retiring coal generation, and growing data-center load all contributed to the 2024 spike.
Maine is at the end of the ISO-NE grid and feels the constraints first. Rates rose more than in MA or CT despite all three states being in the same wholesale market.
CMP vs Versant Power
Central Maine Power (CMP) is the largest Maine utility serving southern and central Maine including Portland, Bangor, Augusta. Versant Power serves northern Maine including Caribou, Presque Isle, Bar Harbor.
Both utilities offer supplier choice through the Maine PUC. The Maine PUC supplier list is small (6 active suppliers as of 2026) because the market is small. Lock rates typically run 12 to 24 percent below standard offer.
The 6-supplier shortlist worth shopping
Maine PUC currently certifies 6 active residential suppliers offering 12 to 24 month locked rates. The shortlist changes periodically; check the current PUC supplier directory before signing.
Locked rates from these suppliers come in at 12.6 to 14.4 cents per kWh — 12 to 24 percent below the 17.6 cents standard offer. For a typical 877-kWh-per-month household, that is $44 to $90 a month or $530 to $1,080 per year.
Lock the rate before the next reset.
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