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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 V60oT31Q+baYRWT8EU/lsqNw1MIdogLVyhVCLLoSW2E7sAiyYjL87NPj44julOXi
 8GzzyzXxYQUW5S9Z8y1fmQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000205716-05-000026.txt : 20050214
<SEC-HEADER>0000205716-05-000026.hdr.sgml : 20050214
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050214135340
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000205716-05-000026
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050214
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050214

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTHEAST UTILITIES
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000072741
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				042147929
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE FEDERAL STREET
		STREET 2:		BUILDING 111-4
		CITY:			SPRINGFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01105
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8606655000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		107 SELDEN ST
		CITY:			BERLIN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06037-1616

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NORTHEAST UTILITIES SYSTEM
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19961121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FORSGREN JOHN H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001082843

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05324
		FILM NUMBER:		05607003

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NORTHEAST OPTIC NETWORK INC
		STREET 2:		391 TOTTEX POND RD.
		CITY:			WALTHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02451
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9782874275
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000072741</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORTHEAST UTILITIES</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NU</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001082843</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FORSGREN JOHN H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice Chair. of Board, EVP, CFO</officerTitle>
            <otherText>&amp; Trustee (retired 12/31/2004)</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John H. Forsgren</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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