Molly Ayala
Maine has a diverse energy landscape, with a variety of companies providing electricity to its residents. The state has embraced renewable energy sources, with hydroelectric, solar, wind, and biomass power contributing significantly to its electricity production. While Central Maine Power and Versant Power are the largest utilities in the state, serving a majority of customers, Maine residents have the option to choose from several competitive electricity providers. This freedom of choice empowers customers to select energy plans that offer the best rates, benefits, and incentives based on their specific needs and preferences. The state's commitment to renewable energy and its diverse range of electricity suppliers contribute to a dynamic and evolving energy sector.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of electricity producers | 125 |
| Number of companies owning the electricity producers | 269 |
| Companies owning electricity producers | Brookfield Renewables, Longroad Energy, Calpine, Fox Island Electric Coop, Houlton Water Company, Isle-Au-Haut Electric, Kennebunk Light & Power District, Madison Electric Works, Matinicus Plantation Electric, Monhegan Plantation Power Dist., Van Buren Light & Power |
| Companies that distribute energy | Emera, Central Maine Power (CMP), Versant Power (formerly Emera Maine) |
| Companies that supply energy | North American Power |
| Companies that help find the best energy plan | Arbor |
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What You'll Learn
Central Maine Power Company (CMP)
The Central Maine Power Company, commonly abbreviated to CMP, is a subsidiary of AVANGRID and serves more than 600,000 customers in central and southern Maine. The company was founded in 1899 and today serves approximately 653,170 electricity customers in an 11,000 square-mile service area. CMP is dedicated to the communities it serves and strives to provide safe and reliable service to its customers. The company spearheads conservation efforts, encourages economic growth, assists area businesses, and funds important charity organizations through unique programs.
CMP is committed to providing exceptional service and leading efforts to help achieve Maine's climate and energy goals. They are prepared to respond to storms and restore power as quickly and safely as possible. The company provides various resources during outages, including outage lists, maps, and estimated restoration times. CMP also offers safety tips and guidelines on their website to ensure the well-being of their customers.
In addition to its core business, CMP actively engages with the community through initiatives such as Meals on Wheels, the Cohen Deck Project, and Spectrum Generations' congregate meals. They also support education and STEM initiatives by participating in career fairs and hosting events like the Girl Scouts of Maine Unplugged, where they offer students an up-close look at STEM careers.
CMP is affiliated with Iberdrola SA, and AVANGRID owns several electricity, natural gas, or combination utilities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. These utilities are recognized for their safe and reliable energy delivery, excellent customer service, and commitment to the community and environment.
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Versant Power (formerly Emera Maine)
Maine residents are divided between Emera and Central Maine Power as their energy distributors. Versant Power (formerly Emera Maine) is the legacy of the Maine Public Service Company and Bangor Hydro-Electric Company. The company changed its name following a corporate transaction in March 2020, which resulted in new ownership. Versant Power serves approximately 159,000 customers in five counties in Maine and is comprised of two service districts: the Bangor Hydro District and the Maine Public District.
Versant Power owns the facilities authorized for cross-border electric power transmission by several Presidential Permits. The company has filed applications to transfer these permits to its name. Versant Power has been making major improvements at the Orono substation to facilitate load growth and reliability in the area. Power System Technicians are currently standing up steel at the site to support the new infrastructure.
In addition to Versant Power and Central Maine Power, there are several other electric companies in Maine, including Fox Island Electric Coop, Houlton Water Company, Isle-Au-Haut Electric, Kennebunk Light & Power District, Madison Electric Works, Matinicus Plantation Electric, Monhegan Plantation Power Dist, and Van Buren Light & Power.
Maine has been eligible for energy choice since 2000. This means that residents can choose their energy supplier and rate, although the company that distributes the electricity to their home is determined by the existing infrastructure in the area.
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North American Power
Maine residents are typically divided between Emera and Central Maine Power as their energy distributors. However, North American Power is an ideal alternative electricity supplier. Thanks to energy deregulation, Maine residents can compare prices and electric rates and choose a plan that suits their needs.
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Brookfield Renewables
Maine is one of the most robust and diverse states when it comes to renewable energy resources. As of 2015, two-thirds of the state's electricity came from renewable sources, including hydroelectricity, biomass and wood products, and wind power. Maine has been pushing toward its goal of running on 80% renewable energy by 2030, and Brookfield Renewable appears to be playing a significant role in this transition.
Brookfield Renewable, a subsidiary of Brookfield Renewable US, is a leading renewable energy company in Maine. The company generates about 87% of the hydropower and 21% of the wind power in the state, and it has also started generating solar power. Brookfield owns dozens of dams across Maine, including some of the state's largest, such as the Wyman Dam and Harris Station on the upper Kennebec River. These dams produce most of the hydropower in Maine, with the Medway Dam on the West Branch of the Penobscot River being a notable example.
The history of Brookfield Renewable in Maine dates back to 2002 when its predecessor, Brascan Corp., purchased the hydropower network along the West Branch of the Penobscot River. In 2005, Brascan rebranded as Brookfield, and in 2012, Brookfield Renewable solidified its position in the Maine hydro market by acquiring a cluster of 19 dams from NextEra for $760 million. This move allowed Brookfield to dominate the hydropower industry in the state.
Brookfield Renewable is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Renewable, which is a part of the larger Brookfield Corporation, a Canadian investment firm with a diverse global portfolio. Brookfield Renewable itself has a presence in North America, South America, Europe, India, and China, with a focus on hydro, wind, utility-scale solar, distributed generation, storage, and other renewable technologies. The company is committed to maintaining its facilities and integrating new assets efficiently, benefiting from stable cash flows and long-term contracts.
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Longroad Energy
Maine residents are divided between Emera and Central Maine Power as their energy distributors. However, Longroad Energy is also a prominent renewable energy company in the state. Longroad Energy is a US-based renewable energy developer, owner, and operator. The company develops sustainable solutions and has a proven track record of experience in utility-scale solar, wind, and storage projects.
In addition to the four completed projects, Longroad has 14 other distributed solar projects under development in Maine. Longroad's affiliate, Longroad Energy Services, is the asset manager and operator and will provide remote monitoring services to the projects over the long term. These services will be provided by Longroad's remote operations center in Portland. Longroad Energy Holdings, LLC, which owns Longroad, focuses on renewable energy project development, operating assets, and services.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the electric companies in Maine include Central Maine Power, Versant (Emera), Fox Island Electric Coop, Houlton Water Company, Isle-Au-Haut Electric, Kennebunk Light & Power District, and Madison Electric Works.
Some electricity suppliers in Maine are Public Power, Entrust, and Direct Energy.
The average commercial electricity rate in Maine is 17.8 ¢/kWh, and the average residential rate is 27.81 ¢/kWh.
You can compare Maine electricity rates and providers online by entering your zip code. You can also contact each company directly to check their rates and read their terms and conditions before signing up.
