By Brooke Thomson
President & CEO

Massachusetts electricity customers received a jolt of good news on January 16 as Canadian hydropower began flowing into Massachusetts thanks to AIM member Avangrid.

The New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line will provide Massachusetts with 1,090 megawatts of clean electricity from another AIM member, Hydro-Québec, representing about 20 percent of the commonwealth’s electricity needs. It’s a remarkable step forward 10 years in the making for a commonwealth struggling to balance high energy costs with a migration to clean energy.

Avangrid said in a filing with Maine state regulators that the NECEC project satisfied all conditions for commercial operation as of Dec. 31, 2025. Massachusetts has had to rely on cooperation from neighboring states like Maine to unlock the clean energy from Hydro-Québec.

“This transmission line will deliver affordable, stable power from our partners in Canada to our residents and businesses. More energy means lower costs. The NECEC line is a key part of our all-of-the-above approach to lowering energy costs and delivering the power our economy needs. I’m grateful for the partnership of the Legislature and Attorney General (Andrea) Campbell as we worked to keep the project on track,” said Governor Maura Healey.

NECEC is projected to deliver approximately $3 billion in net benefits to Massachusetts electric distribution customers, including reducing ratepayer bills by around $50 million each year. That translates into monthly bill reductions of roughly $1.50 for many households, per a Department of Public Utilities settlement from last year. The hydropower will also help meet the state’s rising electricity demand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide needed energy reliability in the winter.

“This is an historic day; the New England Clean Energy Connect is now delivering enough renewable energy to power a million homes,” said Hydro-Québec Energy Services U.S. COO Serge Abergel. “We are proud to be your partners. We have all overcome many obstacles to get to today. Now we are not just talking; we are delivering. This is a shining example of our regional partnership, which will continue for the next 20 years and beyond.”

Massachusetts electric distribution companies negotiated and executed contracts with the NECEC project in 2018, following a competitive solicitation. With authorization from the Massachusetts Legislature in 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Attorney General’s Office, Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil negotiated with NECEC to ensure these contracts remain beneficial for Massachusetts ratepayers.

According to Avangrid, hydropower could reduce regional carbon emissions by up to 3.6 million metric tons per year, the equivalent of removing 700,000 cars from the road.

Completion of the NECEC project comes at an uncertain time for energy generation in the United States.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives is working to hammer out legislation to moderate energy costs. House Democrats paused energy affordability legislation in December as they weighed concerns around affordability and the state’s ability to reach decarbonization mandates in light of federal actions that have stalled critical offshore wind projects off our coast.

Legislators are now seeking a balance between energy affordability and the state’s 2030 emission reduction mandates. AIM supports an all-of-the-above approach to energy that relies on conventional, base-load energy sources such as natural gas while valuing and supporting the growth of clean energy industries and projects. Avangrid’s NECEC transmission line is a welcome link that connects us regionally and to resources that will support this growth and transformation.

Congratulations to Avangrid, Hydro- Québec and state regulators for on an important “win” for Massachusetts ratepayers.