Introducing the Capacity Charge

FIEC proposes a new Capacity Charge billed according to customers’ use during FIEC’s peak capacity. FIEC’s infrastructure costs are based on its peak capacity – the time each month when the most electricity is used. FIEC’s peak typically occurs daily between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The Capacity Charge is based on the monthly peak. The most recent monthly peak loads are as follows:

November 27, 2024, 8:00 p.m. - 1,693 kW

December 15, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - 2,096 kW

January 22, 2025, 7:00 p.m. - 2,192 kW

FIEC’s highest peak capacity was 2,482 kW during a winter freeze in February 2023. By 2030, FIEC’s system must be able to deliver an estimated 3 MW of electricity to its customers at any time without notice.

FIEC proposes to spread a portion of infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs incurred to serve the anticipated peak capacity across all customers through the Capacity Charge. All customers are connected to the system and rely on its services; therefore, each customer should pay their fair share of the system’s fixed costs. The Capacity Charge is not offset by net energy billing.  

This cube represents FIEC’s peak load, which is made up of individual customers’ use during the peak.  

· The entire cube will get charged about $6,000 under the Capacity Charge.

· Each customer’s share of that charge is based on their use during the peak. For example:

Customer A – 0.6 kWh x $2.72 = $1.63 Capacity Charge

Customer B – 1.65 kWh x $2.72 = $4.49 Capacity Charge

Customer C – 2.40 kWh x $2.72 = $6.53 Capacity Charge

FIEC customers can avoid a high Capacity Charge by reducing their use during peak periods (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily). 

Waiting to run appliances until non-peak hours, turning off lights when you leave a room, and unplugging devices when not in use can help lower electricity use during peak periods.  

If the Maine Public Utilities Commission approves the Capacity Charge, FIEC customers will see it on their bill in May 2025.