Coal

New England’s last coal plants to voluntarily shut down

GSP says the closures will open the path to new renewable generation and battery storage at the plant sites.

New England’s last coal plants to voluntarily shut down
Schiller Station (Credit: Granite Shore Power)

Granite Shore Power (GSP) announced an agreement with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) setting a firm date for the voluntary closure of Merrimack Station and Schiller Station, New England’s last remaining coal plants.

Merrimack Station has two coal-fired steam units and two kerosene-fueled combustion turbine units for a total of 482 MW (winter capacity). The two coal-fired units serve as seasonal and peak demand resources, while the two combustion turbine units primarily serve peaking roles.

Schiller Station has two, dual-fuel units capable of firing coal or fuel oil, a fuel oil-fired combustion turbine, and a biomass boiler, which reach a combined total output of 155 MW (winter capacity). The units serve mainly as peaking resources for the grid with the exception of the biomass boiler, which operates as a baseload unit, according the Granite Shoals Power website.

GSP says the plant closures will open the path to new renewable generation and battery storage at their sites.

“From our earliest days as owners and operators, we have been crystal clear; while our power occasionally is still on during New England’s warmest days and coldest nights, we were firmly committed to transitioning our facilities away from coal and into a newer, cleaner energy future,” said Jim Andrews, CEO of Granite Shore Power. “By pursuing and ultimately entering into this voluntary agreement with the U.S. EPA, we are keeping that commitment.”

As part of the redevelopment plan, Schiller Station is advancing a battery energy storage system, and for the Merrimack Station site, GSP plans to redevelop nearly 400 acres of land into a clean energy center.

“The New Hampshire Seacoast is an area of high-energy demand and through the repowering of Schiller Station, we will provide carbon-neutral power to support the businesses and families of New Hampshire,” Andrews said. “Our facilities are ideally situated near the infrastructure necessary to transition the region to the next generation of energy resources.”