# Rhode Island Electricity Rate Changes: What Changed in 2026 and What's Next

> Rhode Island Energy's residential supply rate for October 2026 through March 2027 is 17.029 cents per kWh, up from 11.092 cents in summer: about $29.69 more a month at 500 kWh. Bill credits of roughly $14 a month from October, and $20.45 more from January to March, offset part of it.

- URL: https://solarexaminer.com/posts/rhode-island-electricity-rate-changes-2026/
- Site: Solar Examiner (https://solarexaminer.com/)
- Category: Electric Rates
- Published: 2026-10-04
- Last verified: 2026-10-04
- Author: Tehseen Arbab

## Key takeaways

- Rhode Island has a real October 1, 2026 change. The residential last resort service rate for October through March is 17.029 cents per kWh.
- That is up from 11.092 cents in the summer period and from 14.770 cents last winter.
- At 500 kWh a month, the supply cost is about $29.69 higher than in summer and about $11.30 higher than last winter.
- Two sets of bill credits soften it: about $14 a month from October under an earlier settlement, and $20.45 a month in January, February and March 2027 approved on September 24, 2026.



Rhode Island is one of the few states where rates did change on October 1, 2026. Rhode Island Energy's last resort service rate, the default supply price, moved to its winter level.

This article covers Rhode Island Energy's residential last resort service. It does not cover the Pascoag Utility District, Block Island or Clear River Electric.

## Quick Summary: Residential Last Resort Service

| Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| April 1 to September 30, 2025 | 10.068¢/kWh |
| October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 | 14.770¢/kWh |
| April 1 to September 30, 2026 | 11.092¢/kWh |
| October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 | 17.029¢/kWh |

Source: Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, last resort service page. The page listed the winter 2026-27 rate as pending final commission approval when we checked.

## What It Means for a Bill

**Our math, supply only:**

| Monthly use | Summer 2026 | Winter 2026-27 | Change from summer | Change from last winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | $55.46 | $85.15 | +$29.69 | +$11.30 |
| 750 kWh | $83.19 | $127.72 | +$44.53 | +$16.94 |

The winter rate is 54% higher than the summer rate and 15% higher than last winter's.

Delivery charges, the customer charge, energy efficiency and renewable charges, and tax are added on top.

## Credits That Offset Part of It

Two credits apply to residential accounts this winter:

| Credit | Amount | Months | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Hold harmless" credit from the PPL acquisition settlement | About $14 a month | From October 2026 | Rhode Island Energy |
| Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) credit | $20.45 a month ($61.35 in total) | January, February and March 2027 | Approved by the PUC on September 24, 2026 |

The RGGI credit totals $28 million across more than 450,000 residential accounts on the A-16 and A-60 rates.

**Our math at 500 kWh, compared with summer:**

- October to December: $29.69 more for supply, less about $14 in credit = about **$15.69 more** a month.
- January to March: $29.69 more, less about $34.45 in credits = about **$4.76 less** a month.

This counts supply and the two credits only. Delivery rates also change by season, and winter usage is usually higher than 500 kWh in electrically heated homes.

## What Is Inside the 17.029 Cents

Uprise RI reported the components of the proposed rate: a 14.725¢ base charge, a 0.350¢ adjustment factor, a 0.350¢ administrative factor and a 1.604¢ Renewable Energy Standard charge. About 73% of the state's residential electricity use is on last resort service.

## Why Winter Costs More

Rhode Island Energy buys supply in advance for each six-month period and passes the cost through. Winter prices are higher across New England because natural gas, which fuels much of the region's power, is in demand for heating at the same time.

## Your Options

- **Stay on last resort service.** The rate holds until March 31, 2027.
- **Check your town's community aggregation program,** if it has one.
- **Compare competitive suppliers.** Read the contract length, any cancellation fee and what happens when the term ends.

Last resort service resets on April 1, 2027.

## What This Means for Homeowners With Solar

We did not verify Rhode Island's current net metering or export credit rules for this article, so we give no export rates here. Ask your utility for its current solar tariff, and check how exported energy is credited before sizing a system. Fixed monthly charges are not reduced by solar.

Under any program that credits solar against retail supply, a higher winter supply rate raises the value of winter production. Winter production is also much lower than summer. Our [solar payback guide](/posts/solar-payback-period-without-federal-tax-credit/) shows how the retail rate and the export credit change the math.

## What to Check on Your Bill

1. The supply rate on your first bill covering October.
2. Whether a bill straddling September and October is split between the two rates.
3. Your supplier name, if it is not Rhode Island Energy.

For help sorting the lines on your bill, see our guide to [reading your electric bill](/posts/how-to-read-your-electric-bill/).

## Limitations

The commission's page listed the winter rate as pending final approval, and the evidentiary hearing was held on September 16, 2026. We found no report of the final order on the rate itself, although the commission approved the related winter credits on September 24. The 17.029¢ figure is the filed rate. Delivery rates were not researched.

## Sources

- [Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, Rhode Island Energy Last Resort Service](https://ripuc.ri.gov/utility-information/electric/rhode-island-energy-last-resort-service)
- [Rhode Island Energy, 2026 winter last resort service rate filing, July 22, 2026 (Docket 26-27-EL)](https://ripuc.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur841/files/2026-07/26-27-EL%20-%20LRS%202026%20Winter%20Rates%20(R)(PUC%207-22-26).pdf)
- [What's Up Newp, "PUC approves $28 million in winter electric bill credits," Sept. 2026](https://whatsupnewp.com/2026/09/puc-approves-28-million-in-winter-electric-bill-credits/)
- [Uprise RI, "ISO-NE Says Grid Held; RI Energy Winter Rate Set to Jump," Sept. 16, 2026](https://upriseri.com/article/the-grid-held-your-winter-power-rate-still-climbs)
- [WPRI, "RI regulators approve electricity rate hike, some financial relief for winter months"](https://www.wpri.com/target-12/ri-regulators-pair-electricity-rate-hike-with-some-financial-relief-for-winter-months/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Did Rhode Island electric rates change on October 1, 2026?

Yes. Rhode Island Energy's residential last resort service rate for October 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 is listed at 17.029 cents per kWh, up from 11.092 cents in the summer period.

### How much more will I pay this winter?

For supply, about $29.69 more a month than summer at 500 kWh, and about $11.30 more than last winter. Credits of about $14 a month from October, plus $20.45 a month from January to March 2027, reduce the net increase.

### Why is the winter rate higher than summer?

New England relies on natural gas for power, and gas is more expensive in winter when it is also needed for heating. Rhode Island Energy resets the rate every six months to reflect what it paid for supply.


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