Massachusetts Ratepayers to Pay Extra $512M for Canadian Hydropower Transmission Line

Massachusetts ratepayers will soon be paying an additional $512 million for the construction of a transmission line that will bring Canadian hydropower to the state. The New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project, a partnership between Hydro-Quebec and Avangrid, has faced political delays in Maine, leading to increased costs that will be passed on to Massachusetts consumers. This article explores the implications of this development and the potential long-term benefits for ratepayers.

The NECEC project, initially estimated at $1 billion, has seen its cost increase to $1.5 billion due to litigation and inflation. An additional $521 million will be borne by Massachusetts ratepayers to cover construction delays caused by a political dispute in Maine. Despite the increased costs, the deal for 1,200 megawatts of hydroelectricity is projected to save Massachusetts ratepayers money, with a typical Eversource residential customer in eastern Massachusetts saving $1.35 a month, or $16.20 a year, once the project is completed in 2026.


The additional costs will be spread over 20 years, with a first-year increase of $4.32 per kilowatt month, or $51.84 per year, for the average Massachusetts residential customer. This amounts to a 2.6% increase in the annual electricity bill. The distribution of additional costs among different types of ratepayers, such as residential, commercial, and industrial users, will be determined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and will be subject to review and approval.


The NECEC project is expected to deliver significant long-term benefits to Massachusetts ratepayers. A study by the MIT Joint Program found that expanding hydropower transmission capacity from Quebec to the Northeast could save New England economies 30-33 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) by 2050. This would make Massachusetts businesses more competitive in the long run, as they would have access to cheaper and cleaner energy compared to neighboring states without such investments.

In conclusion, while Massachusetts ratepayers will face an additional $512 million in costs for the NECEC transmission line, the long-term benefits of the project, such as reduced electricity prices and lower carbon emissions, could outweigh these initial costs. The project will help Massachusetts meet its climate goals and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.