Compare Rhode Island electricity rates and plans (October 2025)

Rhode Island electricity rates vary, but the average residential rate is around 27.92 cents per kWh, with a monthly bill averaging $164.40.

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Brogan Woodburn

Last updated: Oct 1, 2025

Fact checked by: Alex Zdanov

What to know about electricity rates in Rhode Island

  • The average Rhode Island electricity rate is 27.92 cents per kWh while the average national rate is 16.29 cents
  • The cheapest electricity rate is 15.55 cents per kWh for Rhode Island residents
  • Rhode Island's deregulated electricity market includes 12 providers

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Best Rhode Island electricity rates

Rhode Island electricity rates range from 15.55 cents to 38.42 cents per kWh. The rates you find vary depending on the providers and plans available to you, and comparing companies is the best way to find better rates. Below are some rates from popular electric companies in Rhode Island.

What is the cheapest electricity company in Rhode Island?

RankProviderServiceRate (¢/kWh)Customers
1NextEra EnergyEnergy11.5996,065
2Direct EnergyEnergy13.602,874
3First Point PowerEnergy13.633,162
4Pascoag Electric UtilityBundled17.114,987
5Town Square EnergyEnergy19.704,509
6Viridian EnergyEnergy19.79361
7North American PowerEnergy20.082,974
8SmartEnergy HoldingsEnergy21.748,931
9Ambit EnergyEnergy22.311,377
10Rhode Island Energy (Narragansett Electirc Co)Bundled27.99371,982

Because Rhode Island has a deregulated electricity market, you have the flexibility to shop around for a cheaper electricity bill. Many states don't offer this choice. If you're looking to reduce your energy bill, consider switching to a different provider or plan. Rhode Island electricity providers offer different types of plans for residents and businesses to satisfy a range of needs.

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Average cost of electricity in Rhode Island

According to our data, the average electricity rate in Rhode Island is 27.92 cents per kWh. This equates to an average residential bill of $164.40 per month. The national average rate is 16.29 cents per kWh, and Rhode Island ranks as the 49th lowest priced state in the nation.

RateUsageBill
Rhode Island Average27.92¢589 kWh$164.40
United States Average16.29¢882 kWh$143.61

Since the average price is 27.92 cents per kWh or $164.40 per month for residential electricity, prices lower than these can be considered affordable. Electricity rates in Rhode Island depend on your home size and usage, so the kWh rate is more useful when comparing your rate to the average.

Best electricity plans

In Rhode Island, the best electricity plans provide competitive rates, renewable energy options, and fixed or variable pricing. Top providers offer reliability, transparency, and customer incentives so you can save money and enjoy responsive support.

We've analyzed the prices, terms, and conditions of popular Rhode Island electricity plans. Below are our picks for the best residential plans in the state.

ProviderContract TermRatePlan
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Compare Rhode Island electricity providers

There are 12 electricity providers in Rhode Island. While some providers only serve specific areas, you have multiple options for electricity wherever you are. Different providers can offer different specials, plan types, and sales throughout the year. However, always read the fine print of the energy plans you consider to avoid hidden penalties.

Residential Electricity Providers in Rhode Island

ProviderService TypeRate (¢/kWh)Rate State RankBillBill State Rank
NextEra EnergyEnergy11.591$67.081
Direct EnergyEnergy13.602$128.334
First Point PowerEnergy13.633$115.352
Pascoag Electric UtilityBundled17.114$118.033
Town Square EnergyEnergy19.705$139.585
Viridian EnergyEnergy19.796$182.149
North American PowerEnergy20.087$192.8010
SmartEnergy HoldingsEnergy21.748$153.337
Ambit EnergyEnergy22.319$207.8811
Rhode Island Energy (Narragansett Electirc Co)Bundled27.9910$150.606

Showing 10 of 12 providers

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Business electricity rates in Rhode Island

Commercial rates are typically cheaper than residential rates in Rhode Island because businesses consume much more energy than homes on average. Businesses basically get a volume discount on electricity since they use so much. Our data shows the average business in Rhode Island pays 23.99 cents per kWh for electricity and has an average bill of $497 per month.

RateUsageBill
Rhode Island Average23.99¢2,072 kWh$497.08
United States Average12.17¢5,659 kWh$688.52

Finding ways to reduce overhead costs is essential as a business owner. You have the opportunity to do that in a deregulated electricity market. Even reducing your electricity by one or two cents per kWh can make a huge difference when you have a high monthly bill. Compare commercial electricity rates to find the plan that makes the most sense for your business.

Best commercial electricity plans

Below are the top commercial electricity plans in Rhode Island.

ProviderContract TermRatePlan
First Point Power logo3 months7.454¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo3 months7.603¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo4 months9.063¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo4 months9.324¢/kWhSee Plan
Next Era Energy logo12 months9.979¢/kWhSee Plan
Next Era Energy logo12 months10.182¢/kWhSee Plan
Next Era Energy logo18 months10.671¢/kWhSee Plan
Next Era Energy logo24 months10.709¢/kWhSee Plan
Next Era Energy logo36 months10.803¢/kWhSee Plan
Next Era Energy logo30 months10.862¢/kWhSee Plan
Next Era Energy logo18 months10.912¢/kWhSee Plan
Next Era Energy logo24 months10.924¢/kWhSee Plan
Next Era Energy logo36 months11.018¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo15 months11.055¢/kWhSee Plan
Next Era Energy logo30 months11.093¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo14 months11.126¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo5 months11.300¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo16 months11.309¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo13 months11.346¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo15 months11.380¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo14 months11.451¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo12 months11.543¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo12 months11.591¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo16 months11.641¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo27 months11.644¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo13 months11.666¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo36 months11.676¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo28 months11.678¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo5 months11.695¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo26 months11.724¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo6 months11.747¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo36 months11.797¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo11 months11.807¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo29 months11.855¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo17 months11.861¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo30 months11.862¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo35 months11.866¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo25 months11.870¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo24 months11.916¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo12 months11.921¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo34 months11.932¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo27 months11.984¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo12 months11.996¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo18 months12.000¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo28 months12.014¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo24 months12.020¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo33 months12.032¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo26 months12.065¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo30 months12.072¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo10 months12.080¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo32 months12.125¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo36 months12.127¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo23 months12.129¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo36 months12.141¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo11 months12.149¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo31 months12.160¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo29 months12.196¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo35 months12.198¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo25 months12.210¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo17 months12.220¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo22 months12.247¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo34 months12.266¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo6 months12.327¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo30 months12.362¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo24 months12.363¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo33 months12.366¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo18 months12.396¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo24 months12.410¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo30 months12.417¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo10 months12.423¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo21 months12.424¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo32 months12.461¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo23 months12.478¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo31 months12.501¢/kWhSee Plan
Direct Energy logo18 months12.534¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo9 months12.550¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo20 months12.582¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo22 months12.602¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo19 months12.628¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo18 months12.769¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo21 months12.779¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo9 months12.890¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo20 months12.938¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo6 months12.981¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo19 months12.993¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo8 months13.101¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo12 months13.365¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo12 months13.372¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo6 months13.396¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo48 months13.409¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo48 months13.427¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo8 months13.446¢/kWhSee Plan
First Point Power logo7 months13.469¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo36 months13.488¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo36 months13.499¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo42 months13.582¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo42 months13.591¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo54 months13.698¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo54 months13.700¢/kWhSee Plan
Engie logo60 months13.705¢/kWhSee Plan
See All Plans

How to switch Rhode Island electricity companies

Three simple steps can help you switch your Rhode Island electricity provider while taking advantage of the state's deregulated market.

First, review your current contract terms with your existing supplier to check for any termination fees.

Next, compare available suppliers and rates through comparison sites like ours, focusing on contract length and rate stability.

Finally, sign a letter of authorization with your chosen supplier to initiate the switch.

The changeover is seamless, as your utility company (like National Grid) continues handling distribution while your new supplier manages the supply portion.

You'll see changes reflected on your bill after the next meter reading.

When is the best time to switch energy providers in Rhode Island?

Choosing the ideal time to switch providers involves multiple factors. Spring typically offers the best conditions for switching, as electric supply prices tend to drop during this season.

Watch for these key timing indicators:

  • Winter-to-spring changes when rates decrease for residential customers
  • Before announced regulatory changes take effect
  • When your current contract is nearing expiration
  • During periods of market stability
  • Before winter rate increases from Rhode Island Energy

Consider your customer classification, as residential, commercial, and industrial rates follow different adjustment schedules.

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How deregulated electricity works in Rhode Island

Understanding Rhode Island's electricity rates starts with its deregulated market structure, which has been in place since 1997. Under this system, you can choose between competitive suppliers or stay with your default utility provider.

The system operates through three main components:

  • Distribution: Your local utility company manages power lines and infrastructure
  • Supply: You'll select either a competitive supplier or standard utility rate
  • Grid Management: ISO-NE oversees the regional power grid and wholesale markets

While you can shop for competitive rates, you'll still receive one bill from your distribution company. They'll handle delivery charges, while your chosen supplier's rate appears under "Supplier Services."

Types of electricity plans in Rhode Island

You have four main plan options:

  • Fixed-rate plans lock in your rate for 6-36 months, providing predictable monthly bills.
  • Variable-rate plans adjust monthly with market prices, offering flexibility without long-term commitments.
  • Time-of-Use plans charge different rates based on peak and off-peak hours.
  • Renewable energy plans source power from sustainable resources like wind and solar.

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Compare Rhode Island electricity rates

Compare Rhode Island electricity rates to save money and avoid overpaying in the deregulated market. Your bill can vary greatly depending on the provider and plan structure. Take the time to read the fine print and do the math to figure out which is your best option.

Rhode Island electricity rates vs other states

Electricity rates for the biggest cities in Rhode Island

Rhode Island electricity rate FAQs

What is a good rate per kWh in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, a good electricity rate falls between 27 cents to 29 cents per kWh. Tired of high bills? Shop during spring and fall to lock in lower prices before HVAC use spikes in the summer or winter.

What are electric rates in Rhode Island today?

Rhode Island electricity rates currently average 27.92 cents per kWh, but you'll likely pay between 26 to 30 cents depending on your provider, location, and plan type.

Why is electricity so expensive in Rhode Island right now?

Your Rhode Island electricity costs are high because the region heavily relies on expensive natural gas. Customers pay high rates because of limited energy infrastructure and strict renewable requirements.

Will electricity get cheaper in the future?

Electricity rates fluctuate due to energy demand, fuel costs, grid infrastructure, and regulatory policies. While short-term declines may occur, long-term trends often show increases due to inflation, grid modernization, and shifts to renewable energy.