Total use of electricity in New England last year dropped 2 percent from 2013, although the average price for that power increased, according to electric grid administrator ISO New England.
The drop in total consumption was driven partially by the milder weather for the entire year in 2014 and also by efforts to increase energy conservation through efficiency measures and other methods.
Despite the decrease, the average real-time price for wholesale electricity rose 13 percent to $63.32 per megawatt hour. The increase was largely due to the increase in the cost of power plant fuel, particularly natural gas, ISO said in its 2014 Annual Markets Report.
The total value for the electricity market – including electric energy, capacity, and ancillary services markets – was $9.9 billion in 2014, an increase of 12 percent from the previous year.
