How 20 cents became 37
National Grid (Massachusetts)'s average residential electricity price has risen from 20.5 cents per kWh in 2015 to 33.6 cents in 2024, an increase of about 64 percent, or roughly 5.6 percent per year. The chart shows National Grid MA's average residential price by year. Hover any point for the exact figure.
What rising National Grid MA rates could cost you
National Grid MA rates have risen about 5.6% per year. Enter your bill to see what that pace of increase could compound to over time, and what you have likely already absorbed. This is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Estimate only. Projects your current bill forward at National Grid MA's historical average rate increase (5.6% per year, from EIA data); it assumes your usage stays the same except for any add-ons you select. Actual rates depend on your usage, rate plan, and the utility's future filings, and are not guaranteed. This is general information, not financial advice.
A year on National Grid's price calendar
- Feb 1
Basic Service supply resets for six months. The February 2026 reset landed at 15.372 cents per kWh.
- Aug 1
The second reset of the year. August 2026 is already filed at 17.185 cents, an 11.8 percent supply increase, before winter demand even arrives.
- Oct 1
Delivery rates adjust under the performance-based rate plan, moving the roughly 22 cent delivery stack that rides on top of supply.
Current residential rates
National Grid MA residential rates are shown below, from the utility's published tariffs and the public Utility Rate Database. Rates vary by plan, season, and usage and change over time.
| Plan | Energy charge | Fixed / basic |
|---|---|---|
| Residential R-1, Basic Service fixed price, February to July 2026 | About 37.4 cents/kWh all-in volumetric: 15.372 cents Basic Service supply plus about 22.0 cents of delivery, transmission, and program charges. The supply rate is already filed to jump to 17.185 cents on August 1, 2026, an 11.8 percent supply increase. | $10.00/month customer charge |
Basic Service resets every February 1 and August 1, and the August 2026 reset is an increase already on file. Delivery rates adjust annually under a performance based rate plan. Massachusetts households on municipal aggregation or competitive supply pay a different supply price than the Basic Service figures here.
Net metering plus SMART: the double dip
Massachusetts remains one of the friendliest export states. Home systems of 25 kW or less are cap exempt Class I facilities whose exports earn credits covering the supply, distribution, transmission, and transition portions of the bill, close to full retail, and credits never expire, rolling forward month to month. On top of net metering, the state's SMART program pays a per kWh production incentive on all generation; under SMART 3.0, 2026 residential scale systems earn an added 3 cents per kWh, or 6 cents for low income customers, with the DPU having approved the utility tariffs in July 2026. The combination of near retail netting and a production adder is a structure most states have abandoned, and it materially shortens payback despite the delivery heavy bills.
The strongest solar economics in this group
The bill math is blunt: around 37 cents all-in per kWh now, with the August 2026 supply jump already on file. Every kWh a panel offsets here is worth roughly double the national average.
What makes Massachusetts unusual is the export side survived. Home systems of 25 kW or less earn near-retail net metering credits that never expire, and SMART 3.0 stacks a 3 cent per kWh production payment on top, 6 cents for low income customers. High rates plus strong exports is the combination most states have dismantled; here it is still policy. Get a site-specific quote to see what it does to payback on your roof.
National Grid MA service area
National Grid MA serves Central, northeastern, and southeastern Massachusetts plus the Berkshires edge, from Worcester to Brockton, Lowell, Lynn, Quincy, and Fall River, as Massachusetts Electric Company. Boston proper and much of the metro core belong to Eversource..
To confirm whether a specific address is served by National Grid MA, check your electricity bill. A ZIP lookup tool is coming to this site.
Full data and sources
Per-utility prices are computed from EIA Form 861 (bundled residential revenue divided by sales), which reconciles to the EIA's published figures. These are public-domain U.S. government data.
| Year | National Grid MA (c/kWh) |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 20.5 |
| 2016 | 19.18 |
| 2017 | 20.88 |
| 2018 | 23.1 |
| 2019 | 23.83 |
| 2020 | 24.1 |
| 2021 | 24.92 |
| 2022 | 28.53 |
| 2023 | 36.72 |
| 2024 | 33.6 |
Sources: EIA Form 861, Sales to Ultimate Customers (2015 to 2024) · National Grid MA, Basic Service rate history · National Grid MA, Summary of Electric Delivery Service Rates (March 2026) · Mass.gov DPU, Net Metering Guide · Mass.gov DOER, SMART 3.0 program details
FAQ
How much does National Grid electricity cost in Massachusetts?
A Basic Service residential customer in mid 2026 pays about 37.4 cents per kWh volumetric, 15.372 cents supply plus about 22 cents delivery, with a 10 dollar monthly customer charge. The supply rate is filed to rise to 17.185 cents on August 1, 2026.
Does Massachusetts still have real net metering?
Yes, one of the strongest versions left. Home systems of 25 kW or less are cap-exempt and earn credits covering the supply, distribution, transmission, and transition charges, close to full retail, and unused credits roll forward indefinitely.
What is SMART and do new systems still get it?
SMART is Massachusetts' solar production incentive, paid per kWh generated on top of net metering. SMART 3.0 took effect for 2026 with residential-scale systems earning an added 3 cents per kWh, 6 cents for low income customers; the DPU approved the utility tariffs in July 2026.
Why did my supply rate change mid-year?
Basic Service resets every February 1 and August 1 based on the power National Grid procures. Households on municipal aggregation or a competitive supplier follow their contract price instead of these resets.