EXHIBIT (24)




                        POWER OF ATTORNEY
                        -----------------

     Each of the undersigned directors of New England Power Company (the
"Company"), individually as a director of the Company, hereby constitutes and
appoints John G. Cochrane, Maureen L. Fountain, and Geraldine M. Zipser,
individually, as attorney-in-fact to execute on behalf of the undersigned the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, to
be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to execute any
appropriate amendment or amendments thereto as may be required by law.
Dated this 12th day of March, 1996.

s/Joan T. Bok                      s/Alfred D. Houston
_________________________               _________________________
Joan T. Bok                        Alfred D. Houston


s/Cheryl A. LaFleur
_________________________               _________________________
Cheryl A. LaFleur                       John W. Rowe



_________________________
Jeffrey D. Tranen