Power Companies in Massachusetts (2026 Guide)

A homeowner in Worcester opens her electric bill and sees the National Grid logo. Her cousin in Framingham opens the same envelope and sees Eversource. Same state, same month, different utility. That split is not random, it follows service-territory boundaries drawn decades ago and regulated today by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU).

In Massachusetts, two investor-owned utilities divide almost all residential electric service between them: Eversource (formerly NSTAR and Western Massachusetts Electric) and National Grid. A third National Grid franchise covers Nantucket. If you are unsure which company holds your address, check your bill, or use the territory map at ElectricRates.org Massachusetts.

Eversource is the larger of the two utilities by Massachusetts customer count. Its territory spans much of eastern Massachusetts, including Boston, the North Shore, the South Shore, and Cape Cod, plus the greater Springfield area in the west. If you live in those regions and have not switched suppliers, your electricity supply comes from Eversource at the Basic Service rate, which sits at approximately 17.3 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as of August 2026.

Basic Service is the default supply rate set by the DPU through a competitive procurement process. Eversource adjusts it periodically, typically twice a year, so the rate you see today can shift by the next billing cycle. The utility files proposed rate changes with the DPU, which reviews them before they take effect. For the current approved figure, check your bill's supply line item or visit ElectricRates.org for live rates.

National Grid's Massachusetts territory covers much of central and southeastern Massachusetts, including Worcester, New Bedford, Fall River, and the South Coast, plus Nantucket as a separate franchise.

As of August 2026, National Grid's Basic Service rate is approximately 17.2 cents/kWh for both its mainland territory and its Nantucket service area. The rates happen to align right now, but they are set through separate procurement processes and can diverge. Nantucket customers also face higher delivery costs because power must cross Nantucket Sound, which shows up in the delivery portion of the bill, not the supply portion.

Like Eversource, National Grid handles poles, wires, and meters. No matter which supply company you choose, National Grid (or Eversource) remains responsible for restoring power after a storm and responding to emergencies.

Massachusetts restructured its electric market in the late 1990s, separating the delivery function from the supply function. Today, your utility bill has two main components.

Delivery charges cover the infrastructure: transmission lines, local distribution poles and wires, metering, and customer service. These charges are set by the DPU and are the same regardless of which supplier you choose. You cannot shop for a lower delivery rate.

Supply charges cover the actual electricity commodity. This is where competition enters the picture. If you have not made an active choice, you are on the utility's Basic Service rate (17.3 cents/kWh for Eversource, 17.2 cents/kWh for National Grid, as of August 2026). You can switch to a competitive supplier licensed by the DPU, and if you find a lower rate, the savings appear directly on your supply line item.

Beyond Eversource and National Grid, Massachusetts has a roster of competitive electric suppliers, also called competitive retail electric providers, licensed and overseen by the DPU. These companies do not own wires. They buy electricity on wholesale markets and resell it to customers who opt in.

As of August 2026, the lowest competitive rate available in the state is approximately 15.1 cents/kWh, though availability varies by utility territory and product type. That gap between 15.1 and 17.2 or 17.3 cents adds up across a Massachusetts winter. A household using 700 kWh a month saves roughly a few dollars per month at that spread, and more during high-usage periods.

Not all competitive rates are fixed. Some are variable, meaning they can change monthly, so it is worth comparing contract terms carefully, not just the headline rate. The state-run Energy Switch Massachusetts website lists licensed suppliers and their current offers. You can also compare offers at ElectricRates.org Massachusetts for a side-by-side view of live rates.

Switching suppliers in Massachusetts does not require a technician visit, new hardware, or any interruption to service. The process is administrative.

1. Find a licensed supplier. Use Energy Switch Massachusetts or ElectricRates.org to compare rates and contract terms for your utility territory.
2. Enroll with the supplier. Most handle enrollment online or by phone. You will need your utility account number from your current bill.
3. The utility is notified automatically. Eversource or National Grid will update your account within one to two billing cycles.
4. Your bill does not change format. You will still receive one bill from your utility. The supply line item will reflect the competitive rate instead of Basic Service.

If you ever want to return to Basic Service, you can do so at any time, though fixed-rate contracts may include an early termination fee. Read the contract terms before signing.

Many Massachusetts municipalities have established municipal aggregation programs, which allow the town or city to negotiate a supply rate on behalf of all residents. If your municipality has an active aggregation, you were likely enrolled automatically unless you opted out.

Aggregation rates can be competitive with or better than Basic Service, and they sometimes include a higher percentage of renewable energy. Check with your town's municipal administrator or your utility bill to confirm whether you are in an aggregation program. If you are, your supply rate may already be below the Basic Service figures above. If you are not sure, the DPU maintains records of approved municipal aggregation plans.

For households that qualify, two programs can significantly reduce the cost of electricity.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides federal funds to help eligible households pay heating and utility bills. Eligibility is income-based. Contact the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development or a local Community Action Agency to apply.

Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR) is a utility program that provides a percentage discount on electricity bills for qualifying low-income customers. Both Eversource and National Grid offer this discount. Eligibility thresholds and discount amounts are set by the DPU. Contact your utility directly or visit the DPU website for current program details.

ElectricRates.org does not publish specific eligibility thresholds for these programs because they are updated periodically. Always confirm current requirements with the administering agency.

Massachusetts electric customers are not stuck with one take-it-or-leave-it rate. The utility, Eversource or National Grid, owns the wires and will always be your delivery provider. But the supply side is competitive, and the gap between the August 2026 Basic Service rates (17.2 to 17.3 cents/kWh) and the lowest available competitive rate (approximately 15.1 cents/kWh) is real money on every bill.

Start by confirming which utility serves your address. Then check whether your municipality already enrolled you in an aggregation program. If not, compare licensed competitive suppliers through Energy Switch Massachusetts or ElectricRates.org. Read contract terms, note whether rates are fixed or variable, and look for any termination fees. A few minutes of comparison can pay off every month.