Español | Kreyòl Ayisyen| Tiếng Việt| Kriolu (PDFs)

Why Are We Doing This Project?

The Greater Dorchester Area Initiative (formerly referred to as Hyde Park to Dorchester Supply Initiative) includes the construction of a new substation that will connect to the existing electric grid using new transmission lines. The new substation will help relieve heavily loaded existing area substations and support future development and electrification growth needed to reach Boston’s clean energy goals.

As part of our Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP), a 10-year plan to enable Massachusetts’ Climate Law, there is a need to improve reliability and grow the capacity of the electrical infrastructure that supports the greater Dorchester area of Boston.

In addition to the Greater Dorchester Area Initiative, there is another project that will support both the short-term and long-term electric reliability improvements for this area. A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is currently in the early stages of development and design. Additional information and community engagement opportunities will be provided once a project scope and schedule are further developed.

You can learn more about some terms you might hear related to this project with our electrical terminology guide and also watch this video to gain additional insight into how the electric grid works.

Where Is The Work Being Done?

Project activity and work locations will be throughout the Boston neighborhoods of Dorchester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roslindale and West Roxbury.

Community Engagement

We are committed to working closely with the surrounding communities, neighborhoods, businesses, residents and municipal officials to provide project information and updates to keep our neighbors informed.

In 2024, we hosted multiple civic groups across the greater Dorchester area, several community advisory group meetings and seven virtual information sessions. Community meeting resources included (all files are in PDF format):

• Meeting 1: Electricity 101: The Grid and Transmission 
• Meeting 2: System Planning Overview and Boston's Electrical Needs 
• Meeting 3: Electrical Infrastructure Siting Process 

Throughout the project life cycle, our project engagement team will continue to provide opportunities for our key community members and residents to learn more about the project and engage with the project team.

Our engagement and communication goals continue to focus on:

• Community awareness: To keep residents informed about the upcoming infrastructure upgrades that will affect their communities.
• Inclusive participation: To hear from residents, business owners and community leaders, whose voice matters in shaping the future of our shared infrastructure.
• Transparency and collaboration: To maintain an open dialogue throughout the upgrade process, ensuring that community needs and concerns are addressed.

Have Questions?

Keeping the lines of communication open is an important part of our work in your community.

For more information about this project, please read our frequently asked questions, call the project information hotline at 1-833-836-0302 or email ProjectInfoMA@eversource.com.