Two Utilities, One Confusing State

Unlike most states with a single dominant electric utility, Maine is split between two: Central Maine Power (CMP) and Versant Power. Which one delivers your electricity depends entirely on where you live, and you don't get to pick. You also can shop for the actual electricity supplier — that's a separate thing, and we'll get to it.

Who Serves Where

CMP covers most of southern, central, and midcoast Maine — Portland, Lewiston, Augusta, Waterville, Brunswick, Bath, Camden, Rockland, and roughly everything west of the Penobscot River and south of Bangor.

Versant Power covers most of eastern and northern Maine — Bangor, Brewer, Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Down East, Aroostook County, and the Penobscot region. Versant is split into two operating divisions (Bangor Hydro District and Maine Public District) but customers usually just deal with "Versant."

The boundary isn't a clean line — there are pockets and overlaps. The only reliable way to know which utility serves a specific address is to call the town office or check both utilities' coverage maps online before you move.

Setting Up Service Before Move-In

Don't wait until move day. Both utilities require advance notice — usually 3 to 5 business days minimum, longer in summer. Call as soon as you have a closing date or rental start date.

You'll need: your name, the service address, your move-in date, your previous utility account info (if any), and a deposit. New Maine residents without a Maine credit history usually pay a refundable deposit of $200-$400. Bring a copy of your driver's license and a utility bill from your previous address to speed things up.

Standard Offer vs. Choosing a Supplier

Here's where it gets weird. In Maine, you pay for two things on your electric bill:

  1. Delivery — the wires, poles, and infrastructure. This is always CMP or Versant. You can't change it.
  2. Supply — the actual electricity. You can buy this from CMP/Versant (called the "Standard Offer") or from a competitive supplier.

The Standard Offer rate changes once or twice a year based on a state procurement process. When you set up service, you're automatically on Standard Offer unless you opt out. You can shop competitive suppliers at the Maine Public Utilities Commission marketplace. Sometimes competitive suppliers are cheaper, sometimes the Standard Offer is. Compare carefully and read the contract — long-term fixed-rate deals can backfire if Standard Offer drops.

What to Expect From Each Utility

CMP serves the larger customer base and gets more public attention — both good and bad. They've been through several controversial billing issues and rate cases in recent years. Their service is generally reliable in coastal and southern areas; rural areas see longer outages during major storms.

Versant Power serves a more rural footprint and tends to have longer outage restoration times in remote areas simply because of distance and density. Their customer service has improved in recent years but rates run higher than CMP for many customers.

Neither utility is going to wow you. Set realistic expectations and have backup heat and a generator ready, especially if you're rural.

Outage Reporting and Tools

Both utilities have outage maps and text alert systems — sign up the day you move in. You can report outages by phone, online, or text. Don't assume your neighbor reported it; the more reports the utility gets, the higher the priority.

Solar, EV Charging, and Net Metering

If you're planning solar panels, an EV charger, or a backup battery system, talk to the utility before installation. Both CMP and Versant offer net metering programs (you sell excess solar back to the grid), but the rules and credits change. EV chargers above a certain amperage may require a service upgrade. A solar installer who knows the local utility's process will save you weeks of paperwork.

The Short Version