Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
NECEC Starts Delivering Quebec Hydropower
Coverage from WBUR, Maine.gov, and others
Articles
5
Latest Article
04/03
Active Days
78
Executive Summary
The NECEC transmission line is now moving Quebec hydropower into New England, cutting fossil fuel use and providing Maine heat pump funding
- NECEC is a 145 mile high-voltage line that began delivering hydropower from Quebec to New England
- The line has a capacity of 1,200 megawatts and can serve about 20% of Massachusetts electricity needs
- Massachusetts ratepayers financed the $1.65 billion project under 20-year utility contracts
- Officials say the line should save Massachusetts ratepayers about $50 million a year and lower regional power prices
- Maine won more than $240 million in benefits, including nearly $200 million for rate relief
- The Maine package includes $15 million for heat pumps, plus funds for broadband, EV chargers, and energy efficiency
- The project is expected to reduce reliance on natural gas and improve grid reliability as demand rises
Quick Facts
- What: NECEC began delivering Quebec hydropower into New England
- Where: From Quebec through Maine to Massachusetts and the regional grid
- Why: To lower costs, cut fossil fuel use, and boost grid reliability
- Who: Avangrid, Hydro-Quebec, Massachusetts utilities, Maine officials
- When: January 16 2026 after years of delay
Coverage Timeline: 78 Days
Featured Article
Governor Janet Mills announced $43 million for Maine heat pump water heater rebates in 2020s, supporting instant discounts via Efficiency Maine and a New England Accelerator through 2029.
Additional Articles
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Project developers for the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line agreed during Maine negotiations to help defray low-income residents heat pump costs as the hydropower link enters service in New England.
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Maine expands heat pump and heat pump water heater deployment to reduce heating-oil use, energy bills, and improve clean-energy job growth between 2023 and 2027.
Governor Janet Mills announced on 2026-01-16 that NECEC began operation, delivering 1,200 MW from Quebec to New England and $15 million for Maine heat pumps.
On January 16, 2026, the 145 mile Quebec to Maine transmission line began delivering hydroelectric power to New England, with heat pump funding included in Maine's benefits package.