Helping Communities Plan Housing Where the Grid Is Ready

Power Forward is a municipality-led planning program that evaluates electric grid conditions in areas targeted for housing development. The tool provides planning‑level information and does not reserve grid capacity or guarantee service.

Through Power Forward, municipalities can request a consolidated review of up to three housing parcels within a defined area and receive:

• Early insight into available grid capacity
• Estimated timelines for electric service upgrades (if needed)
• Preliminary cost estimates for grid connections

This information helps communities and developers make informed decisions before projects enter formal design and construction.

All municipalities served by National Grid or Eversource may apply. Select municipalities are eligible for state funding from the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to offset the cost of required engineering studies. Funding for eligible projects:

• DOER may fund one Power Forward Engineering Study per year
• Maximum funding: $100,000 per study
• Funding is first‑come, first‑served and subject to an annual statewide cap.

Municipalities who are not eligible for funding may still participate by funding studies directly.

Municipal leaders and planners who want to:

• Identify housing‑ready locations with fewer grid constraints
• Reduce risk before zoning, RFPs, or developer selection
• Support electrified, energy‑efficient housing

Developers, in partnership with municipalities, who want:

• Early visibility into grid conditions
• Fewer late‑stage surprises
• Clearer paths to project feasibility

By providing early, actionable information on electric capacity, timelines, and potential costs, Power Forward helps communities reduce uncertainty and avoid last‑minute infrastructure surprises that can delay or derail housing development.

1. Identify Potential Housing Sites
   The municipality selects up to three parcels intended for housing development within a defined area.
2. Submit a Power Forward Application
   Applications are submitted through the National Grid Power Forward portal.
3. Utility Review
   We will determine whether a Step Zero review is sufficient or if an engineering study is required.
4. Study & Results
   The municipality receives grid capacity insights, cost ranges, and estimated timelines.

Next Steps
Developers may submit formal work requests to maintain queue position and advance toward detailed design

Depending on grid conditions, we will deliver one of the following:

Step Zero Grid Review (when capacity is available)

• High‑level assessment of existing grid capacity
• Confirmation that major upgrades are not expected

Power Forward Engineering Study (when upgrades may be needed)

• Estimated grid upgrades required to serve housing development
• A preliminary cost estimate (+50% / –25%)
• Estimated connection timeline
• Distribution‑level scope up to the parcel

These results are delivered to the municipality for planning and coordination with potential developers.

Power Forward is an information and planning tool, not a construction or reservation program. It does not:

• Reserve electric capacity
• Replace formal interconnection or detailed design
• Guarantee project approval or final costs
• Identify or secure developers

Developers must still submit formal service requests and enter the utility’s standard design process to move a project forward.