Granite Shore Power identified as clean energy leader after announcing it will close coal-fired power plants, transition to “Renewable Energy Parks”
(Concord, New Hampshire) -- Granite Shore Power (“GSP”) today joined the League of Conservation Voters (“LCV”) at the New Hampshire State House to share GSP’s clean energy transition plan and support for offshore wind development in the New England region. In the coming years, Granite Shore Power will be a key player in creating and supporting clean energy projects, including solar, battery storage systems and other alternatives that promote commerce growth in New Hampshire and other northeast states.
“We are proud to share the progress we have made in just over a month since we announced our plans to transition our facilities away from coal,” said Jim Andrews, CEO of Granite Shore Power. “The investments we plan to make in New Hampshire’s port infrastructure will be critical to support offshore wind needs that will stimulate economic growth and development.”
GSP has been recognized as a leader in sustainable energy initiatives, and the company’s commitment to advancing offshore wind development underscores its dedication to environmental stewardship and economic progress.
“New Hampshire has an unparalleled opportunity to play a key role in the development of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine and to take advantage of direct benefits from economic development, job creation, and enhanced environmental protection of our natural resources,” said Rob Werner, New Hampshire State Director of the League of Conservation Voters. “Granite Shore Power’s leadership in the arena and their plans to transition legacy fossil fuel plants to support offshore wind and other clean energy sources is visionary and will have a transformative and positive impact on New Hampshire’s energy future.”
Earlier this year, GSP announced a historic agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) whereby the parties set a firm date for the voluntary closure by GSP of 2 operations at Merrimack Station, New England’s last remaining coal-fired power plant, as well as Schiller Station. This agreement will facilitate the creation of first-of-their-kind “Renewable Energy Parks” in the state of New Hampshire.
GSP’s decision to set a firm closure date for coal-fired operations at both Merrimack and Schiller was part of the company’s long-standing repowering plan. The transformation of these power plants into new, clean energy facilities will mark the end of coal-fired generation in New England and facilitate exciting new economic growth at each location.
New Hampshire State Senator David Watters joined The League of Conservation Voters and Granite Shore Power to urge his Senate colleagues to support and prioritize clean energy projects. “Granite Shore Power is delivering on their promise to usher in a clean energy future in New Hampshire. Coal-powered fuel will come to an end in New England, to be replaced by clean and renewable energy,” said State Sen. Watters. “I am excited to support GSP’s plans for solar, battery storage and alternative renewable projects at these important sites.”
“By prioritizing clean energy initiatives and voluntarily closing their coal-fired plants, Granite Shore Power is setting an example for the industry,” said Sam Evans-Brown, Executive Director, Clean Energy NH. “Their proactive steps to shape the future of energy in the region while mitigating climate change will pave the way for a cleaner, more affordable future here in New Hampshire.”
As part of the redevelopment plan, Schiller Station is advancing a battery energy storage system, taking energy from the grid during low demand and putting it back on the grid during peak periods. Schiller is on the Seacoast and will be integral in supporting reliability daily during peak hours and storage for the wind power that is now being built off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard and in the Gulf of Maine.
Merrimack Station has been an important, yet limited, part of New Hampshire’s energy infrastructure for many years. It will continue to be a vital resource when energy demands are at their highest while GSP redevelops nearly 400 acres of land into a clean energy center for generations to come.
Through the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in Washington D.C. and the continued shift toward a more electrified economy in New England, developing on-demand generation resources has become more critical than ever to ensure electric reliability for New Englanders. With the continued support of state, federal and local leaders, the redevelopment of both Merrimack and Schiller will enhance the interconnection utilization at the facilities and advance the region’s overall generation mix.
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