MARBLEHEAD — The Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD) has announced plans to enter a new hydroelectric power and transmission agreement intended to increase the carbon-free generation in its power portfolio without increasing electric rates for Marblehead customers.
As part of the five-year power flow rights agreement, the MMLD will collaborate with its public joint action agency, the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), and the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC) on behalf of municipal utility members to sign a deal with Canadian public utility company, Hydro-Quebec.
“The Marblehead Municipal Light Department is very pleased we’re participating in this deal,” said MMLD General Manager Joe Kowalik. “It aligns well with our strategy to go green without going in the red.”
Under the deal, Hydro-Quebec has agreed to purchase transmission rights owned by MMWEC and CMEEC, which will enable the company to flow clean hydroelectric power from northern Quebec to a delivery terminal just outside Boston.
A press release from the town of Marblehead stated the power purchase is for firm power, which guarantees the amount of clean, carbon-free power Marblehead and other participating municipalities receive annually.
The release further stated that the new power purchase will likely increase MMLD’s reported carbon-free generation by approximately 6.2 percent, to a projected total of 43 percent reported carbon-free power.
“(This agreement) is exactly the type of power deal that MMLD and all Massachusetts municipalities want in our power portfolios today,” said MMLD Board Chairman Mike Hull. “We truly appreciate the fine work done by the MMWEC team. They saw an opportunity in the changing New England energy market and made this deal a reality.”
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at [email protected].
