Avangrid Secures Final NECEC Permit, Paving the Way for Energization of Landmark Clean Energy Project
Avangrid, Inc., a leading sustainable energy company and a core member of the global Iberdrola Group, announced that it has achieved a major milestone in the development of the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line. The company has received the final permit required for the project, officially clearing the last regulatory hurdle in what has been one of the region’s most extensive and complex approval processes. This achievement positions Avangrid to complete testing, begin commissioning, and ultimately energize one of the most transformative transmission projects in New England’s history.
On November 19, 2025, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) granted its final approval related to the conservation of 50,000 acres of protected wilderness in Maine. This conservation commitment is a central component of the project’s long-term environmental offset strategy and underscores Avangrid’s approach to balancing large-scale infrastructure development with proactive ecological stewardship. With this permit now secured, Avangrid expects to complete remaining technical work, finalize system integration, and prepare the project for full energization before the end of the year.
The NECEC project is designed to transport up to 1,200 megawatts of clean, baseload hydropower from Hydro-Québec into the New England grid. This substantial influx of renewable energy will serve millions of homes and businesses across the region, delivering both environmental and economic benefits for decades to come. According to Avangrid, NECEC will reduce carbon emissions by up to 3.6 million metric tons every year—equivalent to removing approximately 700,000 gasoline-powered vehicles from U.S. roadways. Once operational, the transmission line will be one of New England’s largest and most reliable sources of baseload clean power.
The project also carries major economic value. It is expected to deliver approximately $3 billion in net benefits to Massachusetts ratepayers alone. These savings will manifest through more stable wholesale energy prices, reduced reliance on fossil fuels during winter months, and enhanced system competition. Electric distribution customers in the region are projected to see monthly savings on their utility bills once hydropower begins flowing through the line. In addition, NECEC has already made a measurable economic impact, creating more than 1,600 jobs at peak construction and supporting a broad network of local suppliers, contractors, and service providers.
Avangrid leaders celebrated the final approval as a turning point in the company’s multiyear effort to bring NECEC to completion.
“This achievement is the culmination of years of hard work, collaboration, and perseverance,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. “We have secured every permit, met every regulatory requirement, and overcome significant challenges because we believe we must address the urgent need for reliable energy at a time of rising demand. Today, we stand ready to deliver on that promise.”
Joseph Purington, CEO of Avangrid Networks, emphasized the broader implications for grid stability and long-term energy planning in the region.
“NECEC is more than a transmission line—it’s a lifeline to a more reliable, resilient energy system,” Purington said. “The energy delivered through this project will help New England meet its growing demand for clean power, stabilize electricity prices, and create lasting economic opportunities for local communities.”
Reaching this point required Avangrid to navigate one of the most complex regulatory landscapes in U.S. energy infrastructure development. Over the course of several years, the company secured all major state and federal permits, including approvals from:
- The Maine Public Utilities Commission
- The Maine Department of Environmental Protection
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- The U.S. Department of Energy, including the Presidential Permit for international energy transmission
The project also faced—and ultimately prevailed in—numerous legal, regulatory, and electoral challenges. Courts consistently upheld NECEC’s compliance with state environmental regulations and affirmed the project’s substantial regional benefits. These rulings collectively reinforced the project’s legal standing and the validity of its planning, environmental analysis, and stakeholder engagement process.
A broad coalition of supporters has backed NECEC’s development, including business groups, labor organizations, energy experts, and environmental advocates who view the project as essential to New England’s clean energy transition. With the region facing increasing electricity demand from heating electrification, data center expansion, and electric transportation, transmission infrastructure such as NECEC is considered vital to maintaining reliability and integrating new renewable generation.
Avangrid’s progress on NECEC also highlights the company’s broader commitment to expanding clean energy infrastructure across the United States. The company has more than 10.5 gigawatts of generation capacity in 24 states and owns significant electric and gas utility operations throughout the Northeast. Serving more than 6 million customers nationwide, Avangrid continues to invest heavily in modernizing the nation’s energy systems, integrating renewable resources, and strengthening grid resiliency.
With the final permit now secured, Avangrid is moving rapidly toward the final phases of the NECEC project. Testing and commissioning activities are underway, and full energization is expected shortly thereafter. Once complete, NECEC will stand as one of the largest clean energy delivery systems in New England, offering a stable, long-term source of carbon-free electricity and serving as a model for future cross-border energy collaborations.
The company notes that energizing the project by year-end will represent not only the completion of a major infrastructure undertaking but also a significant step forward in the region’s climate and reliability goals. By providing consistent, weather-independent baseload hydropower, NECEC is poised to enhance system stability, reduce winter price volatility, and complement the growing fleet of wind and solar projects across the Northeast.
As Avangrid prepares to bring NECEC online, company leaders say they remain committed to working with stakeholders, environmental groups, and community partners to ensure the long-term success of the project and its ability to deliver sustainable benefits for decades to come.
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