DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - Derivative Contracts at Fair Value (Details) MWh in Millions, MMBTU in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) MMBTU MWh MW	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 MMBTU
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Percentage of costs or benefits borne under capacity-related contracts by United Illuminated Company			20.00%
Amount of power to be purchased under capacity-related contract (up to) | MW			787
Amount of natural gas to be purchased under futures contracts | MMBTU			10.2		9.1
Losses deferred as regulatory costs | $	$ (53.4)	$ (8.8)	$ (127.8)	$ (58.9)
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Percentage of costs or benefits borne under capacity-related contracts			80.00%
Amount of energy to be purchased under renewable energy contract (in mwh) | MWh			0.1
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Amount of power to be purchased under capacity-related contract (up to) | MW			35
Amount of energy to be purchased under renewable energy contract (in mwh) | MWh			0.1