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      <Role>http://www.nu.com/role/DisclosureSCHEDULEIComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE I - Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
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      <LongName>400210 - Disclosure - SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nu.com/role/SCHEDULEIIVALUATIONANDQUALIFYINGACCOUNTSANDRESERVESDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES (Details)</ShortName>
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  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element nu_Fairvalueinputsforwardreserve had a mix of decimals attribute values: 1 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element nu_HealthCareTrendAssumptionUsedInFundedStatus had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_Assets had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_CommercialPaper had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 -5.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_Goodwill had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_InterestExpense had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_InterestPaidNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_Revenues had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockholdersEquity had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Warning">Warning: The equity rendering routine was not applied to 100050 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY.
None of the elements feature the 'periodStartLabel' preferred label role.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400050 - Disclosure - Other Income, Net (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400070 - Disclosure - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '400077 - Disclosure - MERGER OF NU AND NSTAR (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400077 - Disclosure - MERGER OF NU AND NSTAR (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400080 - Disclosure - REGULATORY ACCOUNTING (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400090 - Disclosure - PROPERTY, PLANT AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400095 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVE INSTURMENTS (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400119 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400120 - Disclosure - PENSION BENEFITS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400123 - Disclosure - Share-Based Payments (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400128 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400150 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400160 - Disclosure - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400175 - Disclosure - PREFFERED STOCK NOT SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION (DETAILS)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400181 - Disclosure - COMMON SHAREHOLDER EQUIT AND NCI (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400200 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400210 - Disclosure - SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 100010 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 100020 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 100025 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 100040 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 100050 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Apr. 09, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2010
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]'</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>nu-20121231.xml</File>
    <File>nu-20121231.xsd</File>
    <File>nu-20121231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>nu-20121231_def.xml</File>
    <File>nu-20121231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>nu-20121231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
