Exhibit 12


                                     THE NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC COMPANY
                             Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                                              (SEC Coverage)
                                                (Unaudited)

                                     12 Months
                                       Ended
                                   June 30, 1996                Years Ended December 31,
                                     Actual                    -------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (Unaudited)   1995       1994         1993      1992        1991
                                 --------------   ----       ----         ----      ----        ----
                                                                    (In Thousands)
                                                                                 
Net Income                           $22,493    $23,910     $14,589     $14,274    $21,052     $16,820
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Add income taxes and fixed charges
- ----------------------------------
  Current federal income taxes         8,850      7,212       1,020       2,183      4,608       1,558
  Deferred federal income taxes        1,884      3,512       3,930       2,199      4,560       5,528
  Investment tax credits - net          (501)      (503)       (508)       (508)      (507)       (500)
  Interest on long-term debt          17,153     16,627      14,334      12,715     13,290      12,581
  Interest on short-term debt and other3,515      3,663       2,897       2,074      1,277       2,500
                                     -------    -------     -------     -------    -------     -------

Net earnings available for fixed charges        $53,394     $54,421     $36,262    $32,937     $44,280   $38,487
                                     -------    -------     -------     -------    -------     -------
Fixed charges:
  Interest on long-term debt         $17,153    $16,627     $14,334     $12,715    $13,290     $12,581
  Interest on short-term debt and other3,515      3,663       2,897       2,074      1,277       2,500
                                     -------    -------     -------     -------    -------     -------

        Total fixed charges          $20,668    $20,290     $17,231     $14,789    $14,567     $15,081
                                     =======    =======     =======     =======    =======     =======

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges      2.58       2.68        2.10        2.23       3.04        2.55
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