Strategic Energy Planning for Enfield, NC: Reducing Energy Costs and Enabling an Affordable Transition Beyond 2027

Abstract

The Master’s Project analysis provides strong support for renegotiating the capacity rate structure when the contract between the town of Enfield (client) and Halifax EMC (energy provider of Enfield municipal utility) ends in 2027. Our analysis shows that Enfield’s high utility bills are primarily caused by elevated capacity rates charged by Halifax EMC. Benchmarking indicates that Enfield rates are substantially higher than peer towns/cities and national benchmark, while capacity charge analysis indicates that these rates are unfair due to unpredictability and higher than justified by Enfield’s actual impact on Halifax EMC system costs. Based on these observations, the key to decreasing electricity costs for Enfield is reducing peak demand and lowering capacity charge rates.