North America | January 13, 2026
After nearly a decade, Massachusetts will receive 1.2 GW of hydropower from Canada.
Image for illustrative purposes
USA, Maine, Lewiston: Massachusetts is finally set to receive a major boost of clean electricity as the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line prepares to begin commercial operations this week. The project, almost ten years in development, will deliver 1.2 GW of carbon-free hydropower from Canada into the region.
Stretching 233 km (145 mi) from the Canadian border to Lewiston in southern Maine, the transmission line serves as a giant connector between Hydro-Québec’s renewable energy and New England’s power grid. The new supply is expected to reduce the average Massachusetts household’s electricity bills by $18 to $20 annually, while also supporting the state’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
“This is a significant moment for clean energy in New England,” said Phelps Turner, director of clean grid for the Conservation Law Foundation.
Developer Avangrid told Maine utility regulators that operations are expected to begin on 16 January. Teams on both sides of the border have been conducting final tests to ensure a smooth start, with Hydro-Québec confirming weeks of equipment trials.
The project faced challenges along the way. Early plans called for a 309-km (192-mi) route through New Hampshire, but public opposition over forest impacts led to the plan being scrapped in 2019. The current route balances the need for clean energy with environmental preservation.
Now completed, the New England Clean Energy Connect line stands as a rare success in US transmission projects, demonstrating how large-scale clean energy can reach population centres while respecting the environment.
Source: Canary Media
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