1
                                                                EXHIBIT 23.1



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


        We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration
statements of Boston Edison Company on Form S-3 (File Nos. 33-36824 and 33-
57840) and on Form S-8 (File Nos. 33-00810, 33-7558, 33-38434, 33-48424,
33-48425, 33-59662 and 33-59682) of our report dated January 25, 1994 on our
audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedules of Boston Edison Company as of December 31, 1993 and 1992 and for     
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1993, which report is
included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




Boston, Massachusetts                   COOPERS & LYBRAND
March 30, 1994






                                    70