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Electric-Sector Modernization Plans (ESMPs)

The ESMPs are strategic roadmaps for electric distribution system investments and stakeholder engagement to meet the Commonwealth’s decarbonization goals and support a clean and just energy transition.

The electric utilities are required to create strategic electric-sector modernization plans (ESMPs) for modernizing the grid that:

  • Improve grid reliability, communications, and resiliency;
  • Enable increased, timely adoption of renewable energy and distributed energy resources (DERs);
  • Promote energy storage and electrification technologies for decarbonization;
  • Prepare for climate-driven impacts on transmission and distribution systems;
  • Accommodate transportation and building electrification, and other new loads; &
  • Minimize or mitigate impacts on ratepayers.

The ESMPs were set in place by “An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind” (Climate Law) in 2022 and the first ESMPs were approved in 2024. The goals of the ESMPs are to make the grid cleaner, safer, and more reliable without making it too expensive for people to pay their electricity bills. Massachusetts wants to make sure its electric grid is strong enough to handle more extreme weather and to interconnect more clean energy, like solar and wind power, which help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) approved these plans, thus allowing the electric companies to support clean energy technologies like EVs and electric heat pumps for homes and buildings, which use less energy and help reduce harmful emissions. In the approved ESMPs, each electric company plans for necessary grid infrastructure improvements in the next five to ten years based on electric demand forecasts.

The DPU requires electric companies to ensure that everyone shares fairly in the benefits and costs of transitioning to clean energy. To do this, the electric companies must work with various community members and groups to make sure their ongoing and newly proposed projects follow an equity framework. This equity-driven approach aims to boost public understanding and encourage community involvement in large energy projects.

Stay up to date on ESMP activities through the activity trackers and public updates.

2025-2030 ESMPs

For more information and filed materials, please visit the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) File Room linked below.

ESMP Dockets

The DPU, also referred to as the Department, approved the ESMPs as strategic plans in the August 29, 2024 ESMP Approval Order. The approved 2025-2030 ESMPs for each EDC can be found below.

EDC ESMP Pages

Find out more about the ESMPs by visiting the EDC’s ESMP pages below.

The first ESMP term runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030.

Biannual Reports

The EDCs will file biannual reports on ESMP implementation in March and September of each year. The reports contain information on the progress of ESMP investments and activities, reporting metrics, and planned future investments.

The EDCs filed ESMP biannual reports on March 31, 2026. The reports provide details on ESMP implementation in 2025.

Eversource

National Grid

Unitil

The first biannual reports were filed on September 30, 2025.

Eversource

National Grid

Unitil

Cost Recovery Filings

The EDCs will file annual cost recovery filings on May 1 of each year, starting in 2026. On June 13, 2025, the DPU released the ESMP Phase II Order establishing an interim, annually reconciling cost recovery mechanism for investments made by EDCs under their ESMPs. In May 2026, Eversource and National Grid filed annual cost recovery filings detailing ESMP spending during 2025. Unitil did not submit a cost recovery filing for 2026, as it reported minimal ESMP spending. After approval by DPU, the costs will appear on customer bills in July 2026.

Eversource

National Grid

2025-2030 ESMPs

The GMAC will review the next ESMPs in February 2029.