Power from a long-awaited renewable energy transmission line is now flowing from Quebec to Massachusetts.
At a state house ceremony Friday, the governor and state energy officials celebrated the completion of the New England Clean Energy Connect line with a symbolic flipping of a giant power switch.
The line is expected to provide the commonwealth with nearly 20% of its overall electricity and save ratepayers money.
“It’s cold right now. People are grappling with their energy bills. And this power, right away, is going to provide relief. This power is clean, consistent and affordable,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “We’ve locked this power in at an affordable price for the next 20 years, and we’ll be getting power cheaper than we could on the market.”
State officials estimate electric customers can expect to save around $18 to $20 a year — depending on the utility provider — about $1.52-$1.63 a month. Cumulatively, the project is anticipated to reduce ratepayer bills by around $50 million each year.
The $1.6 billion project has been over 10 years in the making. It faced pushback over the environmental impact of construction in Maine, leading to a state referendum to block it that was later overturned in court, delaying the project.
Despite the hurdles, Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper said Friday they are exploring more transmission projects across the Northeast.
“Right now, we are coordinating on a first-of-its-kind transmission procurement. We’re looking for affordable transmission projects in Maine to unlock offshore wind. Our team has worked really hard to help launch a collaborative with New York and Northeastern states to advance interregional transmission,” said Tepper. “These projects take time, but this project proves that it’s well worth the foresight and the commitment.”
The NECEC project is expected to deliver 1,200 megawatts of hydropower from Quebec to New England.
“Now that deliveries have begun, the equivalent emissions of 700,000 cars will be avoided every year for the next 20 years. That’s like removing a third of the cars in Greater Boston,” said Serge Abergel, chief operating officer of HydroQuebec.