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Accelerating Economic and Environmental Sustainability
Portsmouth Community Power expands energy choices for our City's residents and businesses, while lowering costs.
In 2023, the Portsmouth City Council adopted the Portsmouth Community Power Plan.
We are now putting that plan into action to create short- and long-term benefits for the people of Portsmouth.
How Community Power Works
Portsmouth Community Power combines the buying power of residents and businesses so that together we can achieve competitively priced electricity. Customers are always free to choose to buy power from Eversource, or from another supplier, by submitting notice in advance of their next utility meter read date.
As part of the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire, we can control price volatility and choose which energy sources to buy or build.
Source
Portsmouth Community Power purchases electricity from the sources you choose.
Delivery
Eversource delivers the electricity using the same power line infrastructure and billing mechanisms.
Community
Portsmouth Energy Customers save money and have the power to choose new rates and products, and how much electricity comes from renewable sources.
Electricity markets are changing. Customers are generating their own power and adopting new technologies that add value to our energy portfolio.
Portsmouth Community Power will harness that value, and empower customers to create a more innovative and cost-effective energy future.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Electricity Supply Choices
Energy users in Portsmouth can select which energy choice works best for them.
Use the portal or call us at 1-866-603-POWR to choose your power option, or to opt out, and have your Eversource account number handy so we can easily process your selection.
February 1, 2024 - July 31, 2024
Residential, General Service, Outdoor Lighting
* Based on usage of 650 kWh per month
Mid-sized Commercial Customers
The table below shows our Portsmouth Community Power monthly variable rates for Primary General Service customers (Class GV) compared to Eversource's supply rate in ¢ per kWh:
Rates starting February 1,2024
Note that variable rates shown for Eversource are charged by the utility based on the amount of electricity you use within each calendar month, whereas variable rates for Portsmouth Community Power are charged starting on the date within each month when Eversource reads your electricity meter.
For example, you would be charged the Community Power rate shown for “July” for usage during the period between when Eversource reads your meter in July until the utility closes your billing cycle by reading your meter again about one month later. (Refer to our FAQs for more details.)
Exceptions to Automatic Enrollment
Certain customer groups will NOT be automatically enrolled in Portsmouth Community Power, including:
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Customers buying electricity from a third-party supplier.
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Net Metered customers.
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Large General Service, Backup Service, and Commercial & Industrial electric vehicle charging station customers (Class LG, B, and EV-2).
If one of these exceptions applies to you, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more and contact us to discuss your options.
View the Environmental Disclosure Label for the electricity we provide to customers.
Why Customers choose Community Power
COMPETITIVE RATES AND EXPANDED CHOICE
Our energy supply rate is lower than the Eversource supply rate.
Customers can choose from a menu of clean power options
REGIONAL COLLABORATION
We work with utilities, other municipalities, state agencies, and other partners to coordinate regional energy and transportation plans and projects focused on enhancing resilience.
FISCAL STABILITY AND FINANCIAL RESERVES
We deposit a portion of revenues into locally controlled reserve funds to manage risk and finance cost-effective projects that shift us off of volatile fossil fuels.
CUSTOMER FOCUS AND PUBLIC ADVOCACY
We will expand innovative options for distributed energy and efficiency programs through public advocacy.
Kevin Charette
Vice Chair of the
Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire
Member of the Coalition's
Executive, Audit, and Risk Management Committees
Member of the Portsmouth Energy Advisory Committee
Peter Rice
Member Representative to the
Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire
City of Portsmouth Director,
Department of Public Works
Community Representation
Portsmouth joined dozens of other New Hampshire cities and towns to create our own locally accountable nonprofit power agency — Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire.
The City of Portsmouth appoints representatives to the Coalition to oversee the agency's governance and finances. Meet our Member Representatives!
COMMUNITY POWER COALITION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In August, 2021, the City Council created the Blue Ribbon Energy Advisory Committee to "research the risks and opportunities of Community Power." The committee concluded Community power would offer lower rates than Eversource default and be an effective way to decarbonize our local electricity consumption through the best renewable energy options. In July, 2022, Portsmouth chose CPCNH to be our energy supplier and joined the Coalition. The Energy Advisory Committee guided the creation of Portsmouth Community Power and CPCNH implements it on our resident's behalf. Portsmouth has a voice and a vote in CPCNH through our board representation.
Left to right: Kevin Charette, Tom Rooney, Allison Tanner, Councilor John Tabor, Chairman, Peter Somssich, Ben D'Antonio, Councilor Kate Cook.
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