Holyoke Gas & Electric
| Company type | Municipal utility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric, gas, telecommunications |
| Founded | 1902 |
| Headquarters | Holyoke , United States |
Area served | Holyoke and Southampton, Massachusetts |
| Products | Electric, gas, telecommunications services |
| Website | www |
Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E), officially known as the City of Holyoke Gas & Electric Department (HGED), is a municipal utility delivering electric, gas, and telecommunications services predominantly within Holyoke and Southampton, Massachusetts. It stands as one of only two utilities in Massachusetts to provide this trio of services.[1] Established in 1902 following the acquisition of assets from the Holyoke Water Power Company, HG&E introduced fiber optic communication services in 1997. In 2001, the City of Holyoke acquired the remaining holdings of the Holyoke Water Power Company from Northeast Utilities, thereby securing ownership of the Holyoke Dam, the Holyoke Canal System, and an electric distribution network catering to industrial clients. To enhance energy efficiency amid aging systems, the utility ceased its district steam service in 2010.[2]
HG&E combines hydroelectric generation with solar power installations, enabling it to offer some of the most competitive rates across Massachusetts.[3] By 2016, between 85% and 90% of its energy production was carbon neutral, with plans aiming for full carbon neutrality within ten years.[4]
In 2010, HG&E partnered with academic institutions such as Boston University, Harvard University, MIT, Northeastern University, and UMass to establish the infrastructure supporting the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center and its connection to Internet2.[5] On November 6, 2019, voters in Holyoke approved a nonbinding referendum to explore a phased implementation of residential fiber internet service.[6] By 2022, HG&E had finalized a comprehensive network design for fiber-to-the-home deployment and continued evaluating associated costs.[7]
In collaboration with the French multinational company Engie, HG&E inaugurated Massachusetts’ largest energy storage facility in 2018. This initiative diminished dependence on peaking power plants and enhanced management of its renewable hydroelectric and solar energy assets despite fluctuations in generation.[8]
External links
- Official site
- 2022 Annual Report, Holyoke Gas & Electric Department