Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated January 22, 2003 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule, which appears in Boston Edison Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/    PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP        

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 22, 2003