<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE BALANCE SHEET AND RELATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME,
RETAINED EARNINGS AND CASH FLOWS OF NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 499,447
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 89,735
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 458,550
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 1,576,035 <F1>
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,623,767
<COMMON> 72,398
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 582,983
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 1,415
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 656,796
0
1,567
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 371,773
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 38,500
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 0
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 0
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 1,555,131
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 2,623,767
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 134,564
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 9,641
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 108,604
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 118,245
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 16,319
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> 2,319
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 18,638
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,176
<NET-INCOME> 14,462
24
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 14,438 <F2>
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 24,098
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 3,749
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 34,738
<EPS-BASIC> 0 <F3>
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 <F3>
<FN>
<F1> Total deferred charges includes regulatory assets, other assets, and
goodwill, net of amortization.
<F2> Earnings available for common includes preferred stock dividends.
<F3> Per share data is not relevant because the Company's common stock is wholly
owned by National Grid USA.
</FN>
