Northern Wood Power Hits Milestone

New Hampshire's single largest renewable energy project has surpassed a significant milestone in clean power production. Public Service of New Hampshire's biomass boiler has now accepted and consumed more than 3 million tons of clean wood chips, mostly from local New Hampshire sources. The use of a local fuel source has resulted in tens of millions of additional dollars in the local economy, and a significant reduction in emissions.   

The "Northern Wood Power" boiler has produced almost 1.9 billion kilowatt hours of energy, enough to power all of Portsmouth's homes and businesses for four-and-a-half years. "It's a terrific feeling, greeting the local loggers as they deliver wood," noted Rich Roy, who oversees the wood procurement process at the Northern Wood Power host facility, Schiller Station. "We are using a local, renewable fuel source - our emissions are lower, and the dollars we spend on fuel are staying close to home."  

Northern Wood Power at Schiller Station in Portsmouth began operations on December 1, 2006. The state-of-the-art 50 megawatt fluidized boiler permanently replaced a coal-burning boiler of the same size. The project has resulted in a significant reduction of emissions and a boost to the local economy and to New Hampshire's forest industry.

Here is a breakdown of key milestone statistics:

• Wood delivered: 3 million tons regional economic impact.
• $95 million paid for clean woods chips (NH, 61 percent; Mass., 29 percent; Maine, 10 percent.)
• Coal NOT burned: 937,000 tons Sulfur dioxide emissions avoided and 12,000 tons Coal-related carbon dioxide emissions eliminated.
• 1.9 million tons Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) produced: 1.8 million* Kilowatt hours of energy produced: 1,875,000,000 kWh.

* The certificates are used by PSNH to meet its requirements under New Hampshire's renewable portfolio standard, or sold to other utilities that require RECs. The decision is based on producing the best economic benefit for PSNH customers.

Submitted by Martin Murray, spokesman, Public Service of New Hampshire, Manchester