WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR NECEC?

Construction began in January 2021, with the project completed and in service by 2025. Learn more about project updates!

HOW WIDE IS THE NEW TRANSMISSION LINE THAT BEGINS IN BEATTIE TOWNSHIP?

The 54 miles of new transmission line or right-of-way (ROW) will be 150 feet of cleared width, with an additional 150 feet that remains undeveloped.

WHAT WILL NEED TO BE DONE TO THE EXISTING ROW TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEW HVDC TRANSMISSION LINE?

The NECEC will clear, on average, 75 feet of width to accommodate the new line, but most of Segment 5 requires no new clearing. Co-locating in existing transmission lines minimizes new clearing requirements and provides more options for the location of construction roads and support activities.

HOW MANY NEW TRANSMISSION STRUCTURES ARE NEEDED FOR THE HVDC LINE? WHAT WILL THE STRUCTURES LOOK LIKE?

The new HVDC line will be constructed with 829 self-weathering steel structures, comprised of 723 monopole structures and 106 two-pole structures. Depending on the structure height and loading requirements, the structures will either be direct-embedded or supported by concrete caisson foundations. The average height of the poles is 94.5 feet above ground. 

WHAT UPGRADES WILL BE DONE TO CMP’S EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINE?

The most significant upgrade is 26.5 miles of new 345 kV transmission line in an existing transmission line between the Coopers Mills substation in Windsor, Maine, and the Maine Yankee substation in Wiscasset, Maine. Additional upgrades are planned in Pownal, Sabattus and Lewiston.

WHO WILL PAY FOR THE PROJECT?

Massachusetts electric customers will pay for the entire project, per legislation passed by Massachusetts lawmakers in 2015.

WILL THIS PROJECT RAISE ELECTRICITY RATES?

No, in fact New England electric customers will experience a decrease in wholesale and billed electric rates.

HOW WILL THIS IMPACT ELECTRICITY RATES?

Bringing this much lower-cost hydropower to New England will displace higher cost energy sources, such as inefficient fossil-fuel based power plants, therefore driving wholesale prices down.