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, Robert K. Wulff, 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, 1997, 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 17th day of March, 1998.

s/Lawrence E. Bailey                    s/Cheryl A. LaFleur
_________________________               _________________________
Lawrence E. Bailey                 Cheryl A. LaFleur


s/Alfred D. Houston
_________________________
Alfred D. Houston