345,000-volt power cable activated

After months of delays, NStar Electric has begun using a new 18-mile, $220 million underground power line from Stoughton to South Boston.

The line, which can carry up to 1.3 million homes’ worth of electricity, is expected to maker Boston’s power supply more reliable and potentially help lower rates by improving access to lower-cost electricity generated in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The 345,000-volt line was to have gone into service as early as last August. Activation was delayed while NStar technicians hunted down faults in the cable.
(By Peter J. Howe, Globe staff)