Rhode Island · City
Commercial electricity in Providence, Rhode Island
Which electric utilities serve businesses in Providence, what each charged commercial customers in EIA’s 2025 data, and where Rhode Island’s prices stand.
EIA lists 2 electric utilities in Providence County, which contains Providence. Rhode Island Energy, the largest by commercial customers, averaged 26.82¢ per kWh for them in 2025. Rhode Island’s average commercial price was 23.60¢ per kWh over the 12 months to August 2026.
Source: EIA Form EIA-861 (2025) and Form EIA-861M; U.S. Census Bureau
Electric utilities serving Providence
These are the utilities EIA records in Providence County. EIA lists a utility in a county when it has customers anywhere in it, so this is everyone with a presence, ordered by commercial customers across Rhode Island, not a statement about any one address. Prices are EIA’s averages over all of each utility’s commercial customers: revenue divided by kWh.
| Utility | Type | Commercial customers in RI | Average commercial price, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Energy | Investor-owned | 63,566 | 26.82¢ |
| Clear River Electric and Water District | Municipal | 547 | 20.05¢ |
Find the list for a single ZIP Code with the utility lookup, or set utilities side by side with the comparison tool.
What businesses in Providence pay
Across Rhode Island, businesses paid an average 23.60¢ per kWh over the 12 months to August 2026, 70.2% above the U.S. average of 13.87¢, and up 0.1% on the 12 months before. That ranks Rhode Island 4 of 51, where 1 is the highest price. In 2025 the average commercial account in the state used 4,718 kWh a month, about $1,104 a month at the state price; that is a mean pulled up by a few very large users, so most small businesses use less.
A city has no price of its own: two businesses on the same street can pay very different amounts per kWh, because the rate schedule, the size of the peak and, where it is allowed, the supply contract matter more than the location. The Rhode Island page has the state’s price history since 2010 and every utility with at least 500 commercial customers.
Choosing a supplier in Providence
Rhode Island commercial accounts may contract supply with a licensed nonregulated power producer while the utility keeps delivery. Last resort service applies by default.
Where prices are heading
EIA does not forecast single states. For the New England census division, which includes Rhode Island, its November 2026 Short-Term Energy Outlook puts the average commercial price at 23.16¢ per kWh for 2026 and 23.69¢ for 2027, up 5.2% from 22.51¢ in 2025. The forecast for every region.
About Providence
The Census Bureau estimates Providence had 195,310 residents on July 1, 2025, up 2.4% from 190,713 in 2020. It lies in Providence County.
Common questions
- Who provides electricity to businesses in Providence?
- EIA lists Rhode Island Energy and Clear River Electric and Water District as electric utilities in Providence County. Which one serves a given address depends on the street; the utility on an existing bill is the definitive answer, and a utility can confirm service for a new site.
- What is the average commercial electricity rate in Providence?
- There is no official figure for a city. EIA publishes prices by state and by utility: Rhode Island Energy averaged 26.82¢ per kWh for its commercial customers in 2025, and Rhode Island averaged 23.60¢ over the 12 months to August 2026. A business’s own price depends on its rate schedule, its demand and, where it can choose, its supply contract.
- Can a business in Providence choose its electricity supplier?
- Rhode Island commercial accounts may contract supply with a licensed nonregulated power producer while the utility keeps delivery. Last resort service applies by default. The state page for Rhode Island explains how it works and who regulates it.
Averages describe Providence; a bill describes your business. A person can read yours: rate schedule, demand, riders, contract window. Nobody calls unless you ask.