National Grid pulls plug on hydropower project

Mar. 6—A project to bring more sustainable hydropower to New England is a no-go, even with strong support from state entities and the federal government.

The proposed $2 billion Twin States Clean Energy Link would have run 211 miles from Quebec through Vermont and New Hampshire. In New Hampshire, about 110 miles from Londonderry north to Monroe would use existing rights of way, with another 25 miles buried from Monroe to Dalton.

Earlier this week, National Grid announced it determined the project "is not viable" at this time.

"National Grid thanks the dozens of route communities and regional partners who engaged with us and supported this project," a statement said. "We will continue to pursue paths to building much-needed transmission capacity for the region and for our customers and communities."

National Grid had originally planned to file permit applications in mid- to late 2024.

The Department of Energy had committed up to $1.3 billion for three transmission projects around the country. The other two are in the Southwest and West.

In 2018, the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) rejected the proposed Northern Pass hydropower transmission line project.

The news caught some by surprise, including Gov. Chris Sununu.

"As an early supporter of this project, I am disappointed that National Grid has chosen to not move forward with the Twin State project," he said in a statement. "New Hampshire will continue to prioritize an all-of-the-above approach to energy resources to ensure the reliability of our grid and protect Granite State ratepayers."

David Snedeker, executive director Northeastern Vermont Development Association, said he has inquiries out to National Grid to find out why they pulled out.

"I'm a little disappointed," he said. "We saw it as a good opportunity to expand renewable energy in New England."

The construction of the 1,200-megawatt, high-voltage, direct current bidirectional line was planned for 2026. The Department of Energy predicted the Northeast region will need 1.5 billion watts of new transfer capacity with its neighbors.

"Twin States will contribute 79% to this interregional need," the feds said at the time.

Unlike Northern Pass, the project would have mainly used existing power-line corridors instead of carving new ones.

National Grid said the project was "designed to protect New Hampshire and Vermont's natural beauty while delivering clean energy to lower costs region-wide and help all six New England states move away from fossil fuel generation."

The Twin States project was set to bring $260 million in community benefits, in partnership with Citizens Energy Corporation, dedicating $200 million for the New Hampshire and Vermont communities along and surrounding the project route, according to National Grid.

"It would have been a nice opportunity for the host communities to get grants," Snedeker said.