Understanding Our Energy System - Electricity Supply

Electricity consumed in Berkshire County is part of a broader regional system operated by ISO New England (ISO-NE), which manages the electric grid and wholesale power markets across the six New England states. As a result, the reliability, cost, and composition of our electricity supply are shaped not only by in-state generation, but by regional resources, transmission constraints, and imports from neighboring states and Canada.

Figure 1. ISO-NE Electricity Supply Mix (2024)

Massachusetts In-State Electricity Production

Figure 2 presents electricity generated within Massachusetts. It does not include imported electricity.

Figure 2. Massachusetts In-State Electricity Generation Mix (1980, 2000, 2024)

Imports and Canadian Hydropower

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Massachusetts recorded electricity net imports of 288.6 trillion Btu in 2023, approximately 22 percent of total primary energy consumption. On an electricity-only basis, imports represent a substantially larger share. Canadian hydropower has long contributed to the regional mix, and the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) line, energized in January 2026, increases delivery capacity from Québec into New England.

Total Energy Use (EIA SEDS 2023)

Figure 3 broadens the analysis from electricity alone to total statewide energy use.

Figure 3. Massachusetts Total Energy Consumption by Source (2023, EIA SEDS)

Why Infrastructure Strategy Matters in Berkshire County

Dependence on imported electricity, strong reliance on interstate natural gas supplies for regional power generation, and high winter heating demand raise practical questions about resilience, cost exposure, and emissions. Massachusetts has among the highest electricity and natural gas prices in the country, and these challenges are compounded in Berkshire County by rural infrastructure constraints and reliance on delivered fuels such as oil and propane. Outage duration and recovery times can also be longer in rural areas.

Microgrids and Thermal Energy Networks (TENs), supported by renewable energy resources and heat pump technologies, offer potential pathways to improve reliability, reduce long-term emissions, and stabilize costs.

Microgrid and TEN Assessment at the William Stanley Business Park

CELG plans to engage Michael Burr of Microgrid Initiatives to conduct an initial feasibility assessment at the William Stanley Business Park (WSBP). The assessment evaluates load profiles, critical versus discretionary facilities, generation options, governance structures, and rough-order-of-magnitude capital costs. This work is exploratory and does not represent a commitment to construct a microgrid.

CELG has also consulted with a Thermal Energy Network expert to explore how shared thermal infrastructure could complement electric resilience planning. Utility coordination with Eversource and Berkshire Gas will be essential.