Exhibit 24.1



                                 
                        POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Each of the undersigned directors of New England Electric System (the
Company) individually as a director of the Company, hereby constitutes and
appoints Jennifer L. Kenney, James P. Meehan, or Robert King Wulff,
individually, as attorneys-in-fact to execute on behalf of the undersigned the
Company's registration statement on Form S-4 for the issue and sale of up to
1,000,000 common shares of the Company, to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to execute any appropriate amendment or amendments to
such registration statement as may be required by law.


Dated this 15th day of July, 1998.


     s/ Joan T. Bok                s/ George M. Sage
     _________________________     ________________________
     Joan T. Bok                   George M. Sage


     s/ William M. Bulger          s/ Richard P. Sergel
     _________________________     ________________________
     William M. Bulger             Richard P. Sergel


     s/ Alfred D. Houston          s/ Charles E. Soule
     _________________________     ________________________
     Alfred D. Houston             Charles E. Soule


     s/ Paul L. Joskow             s/ Anne Wexler
     _________________________     ________________________
     Paul L. Joskow                Anne Wexler


     s/ John M. Kucharski          s/ James R. Winoker
     _________________________     ________________________
     John M. Kucharski             James R. Winoker


     s/ Edward H. Ladd
     _________________________
     Edward H. Ladd                


     s/ Joshua A. McClure
     _________________________
     Joshua A. McClure