| In addition to its jointly owned resources,
MMWEC enters into bulk power purchase contracts and other arrangements
to meet the power supply needs of its members as efficiently and
economically as possible. All-Requirements
MMWEC offers an All Requirements Power Supply Program through
which program participants pool their electric loads and resources
to achieve greater efficiency and economy in New England’s
wholesale power marketplace. The All-Requirements participants
delegate certain decision-making authority to an MMWEC program
administrator, who can act on behalf of participants to complete
certain transactions.
NYPA Contracts
MMWEC administers contracts and other arrangements covering the
purchase and delivery of inexpensive hydroelectric power from
the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to Massachusetts municipal
utilities. Under an agreement with the Massachusetts Department
of Telecommunications & Energy (DTE), the official Massachusetts
bargaining agent for NYPA power, MMWEC acts as the agent for DTE
in overseeing the Massachusetts allocations of power and energy
from one federally licensed, NYPA-operated hydroelectric projects
in New York.
MASSPOWER Contract
MMWEC is receiving approximately 21 megawatts of power and energy
from the MASSPOWER Project through a 20-year contract that runs
through 2013. MASSPOWER is a 270-megawatt, gas-fired, combined-cycle
plant located in Springfield, Mass., that began operating in 1993.
Power and energy from this contract is resold to the six contract
participants at MMWEC’s cost.
Hydro-Quebec Interconnection
The Hydro-Quebec Interconnection is an approximate 2,000-megawatt,
direct-current electric transmission line connecting central New
England with the Canadian utility Hydro-Quebec. Construction of
the U.S. portion of the interconnection, which stretches from
Groton/Ayer, Mass. to the Canadian border in northern Vermont,
was a joint effort of many New England utilities, including most
Massachusetts municipal utilities. Thirty-two Massachusetts municipal
utilities own usage rights over approximately 4 percent of the
interconnection, either through MMWEC or independently. MMWEC
owns approximately 1 percent of the stock in several of the companies
that operate the interconnection on behalf of numerous municipals.
MMWEC also manages the ownership interests of all but two of the
Massachusetts municipals involved with the project.
|
