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Electricity In Rhode Island

Population1,059,361
Total Consumption7,357,981 MWh / 6.95 MWh per capita
CO₂ Equivalent Emissions2,920,028,051 kg
Total Production8,256,479 MWh / 7.79 MWh per capita

Residential Electricity Bills & Rates in Rhode Island

Rhode Island residential electric rates are highest in January and the highest average bill is in July.

Historical Electric Rates:

49^th22.08¢Average residential price per kWh in the state of Rhode Island

44^th$133.52Average residential monthly electricity bill for Rhode Island Residents

Energy Profile of Rhode Island

MonthlyWe report production data as it is published. Due to reporting methods and timing, data from 2021 and 2020 may be incomplete. Data is released in full each fall for the previous calendar year. For clarification on any data points, please contact our team.

AnnualAnnual data for 2020 will be finalized in the fall of 2021. Until that time, some data may be incomplete. Data for 2021 is a summation of all information released to date, which may only represent a portion of the actual production that has occurred. For clarification on any data points, please contact our team.

Rhode Island's Electricity Prices and Usage

Consumers in Rhode Island are faced with a higher residential electricity rate than many people in the nation, with an average state electric rate of 22.08 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the US average price of 13.33 cents. This ranks Rhode Island as the 49th lowest priced state in the country by average electricity rate. With 4 electricity companies in the state, customers have many choices to choose from thanks to the deregulated electricity market that exists in the state. The state generates about 7.79 megawatt hours per person per year from its electricity generating plants, which ranks it as the 40th largest producer per capita in the nation. Power generation facilities in the state produce 12.21% more electricity than the state uses, providing an opportunity for electricity storage or exportation. With 439,787 residential customers, The Narragansett Electric Co is the largest provider in the state. With annual production of 8,256,479.46 megawatt hours, Rhode Island is the 48th largest generator of electricity in the nation.

Residential Electricity Providers in Rhode Island

Provider	Residential Rate (¢)	Residential Average Bill ($)	Residential Sales (MWh)	Residential Revenues ($)	State Production (MWh)	State Emissions (KG)
The Narragansett Electric Co	21.89	132.94	2,878,366	630,024,267		1,611,696,937.2
Pascoag Electric Utility	14.55	99.76	35,443	5,158,030		21,678,029.92
Ambit Energy	11.57	67.07	33,026	3,822,400		18,113,507
Block Island Power Company	39.66	139.72	6,666	2,643,525	5	10,945,252.43

Power Plants in Rhode Island

Plant	City/County	Primary Fuel Type	Production (MWh)	Emission (KG)	Emissions/MWh (KG/MWh)
Rhode Island State Energy CenterThe Carlyle Group (100.00%)	Providence County	Natural Gas	3,243,566	1,237,219,439.96	381.44
Tiverton Power PlantEmera (100.00%)	Tiverton CDP	Natural Gas	1,589,737	600,121,705.82	377.5
Manchester StreetManchester Street, LLC. (100.00%)	Providence	Natural Gas	1,539,378	650,646,066.93	422.67
Johnston LFG Turbine PlantRhode Island LFG Genco (100.00%)	Providence County	Landfill Gas	191,563.36	97,761,425	510.33
Toray Plastic America's CHP PlantToray Plastics America (100.00%)	Washington County	Natural Gas	141,859.9	74,983,543.04	528.57
Block Island Wind FarmDeepwater Wind Block Island LLC (100.00%)	Washington County	Wind	114,187	3,252,263.49	28.48
University Solar, LLCAES Distributed Energy (100.00%)	Kent County	Solar	32,764	3,177,717.75	96.99
Central Power PlantState of Rhode Island (100.00%)	Cranston	Natural Gas	26,517	7,145,855.5	269.48
Rhode Island HospitalRhode Island Hospital (100.00%)	Providence	Natural Gas	22,563.81	6,450,142.81	285.86
Hope Farm Solar, LLCHope Farm Solar, LLC (100.00%)	Cranston	Solar	16,729	1,611,807.55	96.35

Quick Facts

Non-renewable fuel types are used in the generation of 92.08% of the megawatt hours produced in Rhode Island, ranking it 44th worst for total megawatt hours produced from non-renewable fuel types.

Rhode Island has a population of 1,059,361 citizens.

Rhode Island is the 34th highest state for non-renewable production per capita, with an average of 7.18 megawatt hours per resident produced from non-renewable fuel sources per year.

On average, Rhode Island residents are responsible for 2,756.41 kilograms of CO2 emissions per person per year, while the US average emissions per capita is 4,582.45.

Rhode Island has had a 0.19% growth in the state’s total population in the last year.

Ranking 36th in wind power generation in the US, Rhode Island has a total yield of 212,711.32 megawatt hours from wind power.

County	Population	Providers	Plants	Residential Rate (¢)	Residential Avg. Electric Bill
Bristol County	48,479	4		16.73	$100.00/mo
Kent County	164,292	4	9	16.73	$100.00/mo
Newport County	82,082	4	3	16.73	$99.99/mo
Providence County	638,931	5	21	16.00	$99.92/mo
Washington County	125,577	5	12	24.37	$113.24/mo

Coming in as the 48th worst ranked state in the nation, Rhode Island emits 2,920,028,051.18 kilograms of CO2 emissions from electricity consumption. The state averages 2,756.41 kilograms of CO2 emissions per capita, which is a better measurement of the state’s emission levels. They rank 43rd highest in the nation for emissions per resident. Around 91.94% of the state of Rhode Island’s electricity is generated using Natural Gas. Solar and Wind make up the next highest totals for a fuel type at 2.99% and 2.58%, respectively. Rhode Island has the 46th highest amount of electricity producing plants of any state in the US, with 44 total plants. This equates to the 18th most power plants per resident in the nation.

NATURAL GAS

91.94%

SOLAR

2.99%

WIND

2.58%

LANDFILL GAS

2.32%

DISTILLATE FUEL OIL

0.12%

OTHER

0.06%

Rhode Island has 3 out of 4 electricity providers reporting that they offer net metering to residents with personal solar panels. At the state level, Rhode Island has highly favorable laws for consumers interested in investing in personal solar.

Energy loss in Rhode Island is about 4.69% of all energy transmitted by the 2 companies that report energy loss. For comparison, the countrywide average energy loss is 2.72%. Rhode Island has a rank of 11th worst in the US for grid efficiency based on energy loss.

Motivating private citizens to consider installing solar panels can definitely be a challenge due to prohibitive initial costs. Governments can help the cause by passing legislation for tax breaks and rebates for those who purchase solar panels. Rhode Island currently does not offer a state tax credit for solar panel installation at a private residence. Citizens in the state enjoy rebates for solar purchases of over $500. This is the highest amount we’ve seen in the country. Fortunately, Rhode Island offers a 100% tax exemption to consumers.. Luckily, homeowners in the state have a 100% sales tax exemption for the purchase of private solar at a residence. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Consumers seeking electricity plans that use renewable fuels will benefit from statewide legislation that encourage green energy usage. States that have Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) have requirements in place for all electric providers who sell electricity in the state. These standards require that a percentage of electricity must be generated from renewable energy. Electricity suppliers in the state of Rhode Island are required to produce a minimum of 16-24% of their electricity using renewable fuel sources. Also, there are currently no low income solar programs to assist low income families to install solar panels.

The average monthly residential electric bill in Rhode Island totals $133.52. In contrast, the US average bill is $120.11, or 11.16% higher than the Rhode Island average bill.

Rhode Island generates 0 megawatt hours from coal a year.

Rhode Island is the 28th largest producing state for megawatt hours generated from solar energy.

Rhode Island produces the 48th highest average of electricity per capita from natural gas, with the fuel source accounting for 0 megawatt hours a year per person.

FAQ: Common Questions About Energy in Rhode Island

Where does Rhode Island get its electricity?

The main fuels used for electricity generation in Rhode Island are Natural Gas, Solar and Wind, accounting for 91.94%, 2.99% and 2.58% respectively.

What power companies are in Rhode Island?

State Customers Rank	Provider	State Customers
1	The Narragansett Electric Co	439,787
2	Ambit Energy	5,339
3	Pascoag Electric Utility	4,905
4	Block Island Power Company	1,974

Which electricity company is the largest supplier in Rhode Island?

The largest electricity supplier in Rhode Island by megawatt hours sold is The Narragansett Electric Co.

How many electric companies offer service in Rhode Island?

There are 4 electricity companies serving consumers in Rhode Island.

What is a good electricity rate in Rhode Island?

The average electric rate in Rhode Island is 22.08 cents per kilowatt hour, so anything below this amount is better than most. The lowest priced provider is currently Ambit Energy, at 11.57 cents per kilowatt hour.

What is the average electric bill in Rhode Island?

The Rhode Island average electricity bill is $134 so far in 2021, while the US average is $120.

Does Rhode Island have a deregulated electricity market?

Rhode Island has a deregulated electricity market, meaning citizens in the state can often choose from an abundance of electricity providers for their electricity needs.

What is the cheapest electricity company in Rhode Island?

Residential Rate Rank	Provider	Residential Rate (¢)	State Customers
1	Ambit Energy	11.57	5,339
2	Pascoag Electric Utility	14.55	4,905
3	The Narragansett Electric Co	21.89	439,787
4	Block Island Power Company	39.66	1,974

How many power plants are located within Rhode Island?

There are 44 power plants in Rhode Island

Last Reviewed By: Nick Reese

Published: 2021-03-16Last Updated: 2021-10-14