Exhibit 32

                          CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                           18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
                           AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Northeast Utilities (the
registrant) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2004 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Report), we, Charles W. Shivery,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the registrant and John H.
Forsgren, Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of the registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Sec. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the registrant.

/s/ Charles W. Shivery
    (Signature)
    Charles W. Shivery
    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ John H. Forsgren
    (Signature)
    John H. Forsgren
    Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer

May 7, 2004


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature
that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written
statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and
will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.