Avangrid, a subsidiary of Spanish group Iberdrola, announced it has received the final authorisation from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project. This approval marks the conclusion of a years-long regulatory and legal process, solidifying the legal framework for one of the most ambitious energy infrastructure projects in the northeastern United States. The permit granted on November 19 concerns the conservation of 50,000 acres of wilderness, a condition required to allow full commissioning of the transmission line.
A fully completed regulatory framework
This final approval adds to a series of major permits previously secured, including those from the Maine Public Utilities Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Energy. The NECEC project had also obtained the Presidential Permit required for cross-border interconnections. These authorisations close several electoral and legal disputes, confirming the project’s compliance with local and federal regulations.
High-capacity transmission infrastructure
NECEC is set to deliver up to 1,200 megawatts of hydroelectric power from Québec to the New England grid, reinforcing energy stability in a region facing growing demand. Commissioning is expected after final testing and verification, planned by the end of the year. According to projections, the project could generate around $3bn in net benefits for Massachusetts consumers.
Industrial deployment and regulatory impact
At peak construction, the site engaged more than 1,600 workers, highlighting the project’s industrial scale. According to Avangrid, the infrastructure could reduce up to 3.6mn metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually, although such figures remain secondary to the regulatory requirements that structured the project’s development. Avangrid’s approach has focused on strict compliance with environmental and legal standards amid significant institutional scrutiny.
The company currently manages over 10.5 gigawatts of generation capacity across 24 U.S. states and serves more than six million customers. Avangrid continues to invest in electricity transmission networks through projects subject to complex national regulatory frameworks.
