Above: I’m alerting readers that rate changes are coming for the Town’ negotiated aggregate electricity supply program. (image cropped from Power Choice website)
Since the start of the year, many Southborough electric bills have been insulated from global issues impacting energy prices. But this is the time of year when new rates are issued.
Southborough announced that new power supply rates will go into effect next month for customers of Southborough Community Power Choice plans. That means it’s a good time to look at any changes customers want to make. And an opportunity for new customers to opt-in.
Since early 2018, Southborough residents and businesses have been able to leverage bulk buying power for lower electricity supply rates.
The municipal aggregate program allows the town to lock in a hopefully low, fixed rate for 12 months. (This applies to the “Supply Services” section on the back of National Grid bills, not the “Delivery Services” on the front.)
The next year’s rates will apply to power used after the meter readings in December. Any electricity customer in Southborough who isn’t currently stuck in a commitment with another supplier is eligible to enroll.
Below are the plan’s three options and upcoming rates:
- Standard option – $0.15883/KwH (Lowest price option)
- Greener option – $0.16572/KwH (50% from regional renewable sources)
- Greenest option – $0.18572/KwH (100% from regional renewable sources)
The rate going up the most is the standard option. (That’s not really surprising, given the costs of fossil fuels.) But that rate is still lower than those options and National Grid’s current residential rate. The greener rate is also lower than National Grid’s residential rate right now.
(National Grid’s commercial rate is actually lower than both. So, this deal might not be the best one for businesses in town this year.)
If you’re currently a customer, you may want to downgrade your plan from a green tier if you’re feeling the economic pinch right now. Or, if you are concerned about global warming and can afford to, you may want to upgrade your choice.
Check out my overview table below for the details on the new rates, and comparisons with current rates and National Grid’s residential rates:
Since the program has been in effect, the standard option has always been lower for homeowners. But that’s just an indicator, not a predictor.
Southborough Power Choice can’t assure that customers will save money by committing to a plan. They can’t foresee what National Grid’s rates will be after January 31st and over the course of the year.
Plus, some residents may like a different supplier they’ve contracted with. (If someone has information on a plan with better rates for 2027, please comment below.)
To learn more about Power Choice, or to sign up, click here.
