National Hydropower Association (NHA) invites the water power industry to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, for the 2025 Northeast Regional Meeting, taking place July 22–24.

Held at the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park | New England, this year’s Northeast Regional Meeting provides a critical forum for stakeholders across the industry to collaborate, innovate, and shape the future of water power.

The Northeast is home to a rich history of hydropower development and remains a hub for innovation and operation. From legacy infrastructure to cutting-edge pumped storage, water power plays a key role in the region’s grid reliability, clean energy integration, and economic development.

With two exciting tour opportunities available for attendees, check your calendars, because you won’t want to miss this year’s Northeast Regional Meeting!

The Merrimack River flowing to its mouth in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

TWO TOURS SHOWCASE REGIONAL HYDRO

For the 2025 Northeast Regional Meeting, attendees have the opportunity to take part in two tours:

• Boott Hydroelectric Project – Hosted by Central Rivers Powers
• Northfield Mountain – Hosted by FirstLight

Boott Hydroelectric Project, Merrimack River, and Lowell Museum

This tour kicks off on Tuesday afternoon (July 22) at 1:00 PM ET with a visit to Central Rivers Powers’ Boott Hydroelectric Project (20 MW), a historically significant facility that continues to serve as a vital component of the Merrimack River’s hydroelectric production in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Attendees will gain insight into the plant’s operations and observe how the facility balances heritage preservation with modern energy demands.

Following the Boott tour, attendees will continue along the Merrimack River, exploring how the waterway has shaped the region’s industry and recreation. The tour concludes with a visit to the Lowell Museum, providing context into the cultural and technological history of hydropower in New England, including the story of how Lowell’s textile industry was powered by hydro.

This tour is ideal for those interested in small hydro operations and the intersection of history and technology. Spots are limited, so attendees are encouraged to secure their tour selection during registration.

Boott Hydroelectric Project on the Merrimack River.

Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project

On Thursday morning (July 24), attendees head to FirstLight’s Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project. Known for its large-scale energy storage capacity (1,168 MW), Northfield Mountain plays a critical role in balancing supply and demand for the region, especially during periods of peak usage or renewable variability.

Participants will explore the inner workings of this underground powerhouse, including its four reversible turbines. Experts from the facility will be on hand to explain how pumped storage contributes to energy resilience, supports renewables like wind and solar, and anchors long-term decarbonization strategies.

This tour offers an intimate and technical experience for attendees eager to learn about one of the region’s most powerful forms of long-duration energy storage.

Northfield Mountain’s upper pond.

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY DETAILS

In addition to the technical tours, the Northeast Regional Meeting offers a full day of programming on Wednesday, July 23, including a keynote presentation, policy briefings, technical panels, and networking sessions. A welcome networking reception follows the Boott tour on Tuesday evening, and a happy hour on Wednesday provides further opportunity to connect with colleagues and industry leaders.

To register or view the schedule at a glance, click HERE.

If you have any questions, please reach out to ellie@hydro.org.