Is New England’s new hydropower transmission line paying off?

A new power line carrying Canadian hydropower into New England went live in January, promising cheaper, cleaner electricity for Massachusetts. The state signed a deal with Hydro-Québec for a set amount of hydropower each year, meant to help meet its renewable energy targets. But six months in, the results are mixed. The line, called NECEC, has sat completely idle for roughly 27 days total, including a near two-week stretch this spring blamed on technical problems. When it does run, it mostly delivers power as planned.

The bigger issue is that New England isn't necessarily getting more clean power overall. An older line from Quebec has been sending much less electricity south than it used to, so the new line may just be rerouting hydropower New England was already getting rather than adding to the total supply. Quebec has also started drawing some power back from New England on that older line, partly because drought has left its reservoirs low and it needs to serve its own customers first. That means New England is burning more natural gas to send power north, even as it imports hydropower for itself.

For homeowners, the direct financial risk looks limited: Massachusetts' contract requires Hydro-Québec to pay penalties if it fails to deliver, so utility customers shouldn't bear the cost of these shortfalls. Whether the new line meaningfully increases the region's clean energy supply, and eventually electricity bills, remains uncertain. Industry voices point to wetter conditions expected in Quebec in future years and new hydropower and wind projects there as reasons for optimism, but for now the benefits are still unproven.