Project Overview
The Central to Western Mass Energy Improvement Project is proposed to rebuild the existing National Grid E5/F6 circuits throughout Central and Western Massachusetts due to asset condition and aging infrastructure. The Project will include right-of-way (ROW) access improvements where necessary, the replacement of structure foundations, structures, and wire along the approximately 67 miles of existing ROW. Additionally, the Project includes the installation of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), a type of cable used to transmit data via optical fiber, while providing an additional layer of protection from lightning strikes and other electrical disturbances. These upgrades will allow for additional transmission capacity for future needs, including improving the reliability of the system in the Project area.
Project Location
As proposed, the project will traverse through the communities of Shelburne, Conway, Deerfield, Sunderland, Leverett, Shutesbury, Pelham, Belchertown, Ware, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, East Brookfield, Spencer, Leicester, Auburn, and Millbury, Massachusetts.
Project Status
Soil boring activities, including removal of temporary timber mats, were completed in 2025. On January 13 and 14, 2026 the MA Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) held three hybrid public comment hearings in Leicester, Deerfield and Belchertown, MA, offering both in-person and remote participation options, to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the Project.
During the hearings, National Grid presented an overview of the proposed Project where public officials and members of the public had an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments. Recordings of all public comment hearings are available on the Siting Board’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EFSBHearings_MA.
Public Comment Hearing Notice (PDF)
This project is still in the permitting and design phases. Currently construction is anticipated to begin in 2028 and is expected to take several years to complete.
Ongoing Activities
This project is still in the permitting and design phases. The EFSB review process for the Project is ongoing, and no final decision has been issued at this time.
