Portsmouth, NH February 5, 2010****Three years after its ribbon-cutting, New Hampshire's largest renewable energy project has surpassed a significant milestone in clean power production. Public Service of New Hampshire’s wood-fired boiler recently produced its one billionth kilowatt hour of energy (1,000,000,000 kWh). That amount of power is equal to the total electrical demand of all the homes and businesses in the City of Portsmouth for a two-and-one-half year period. The milestone was recorded on Saturday, January 30th.
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.
“Northern Wood Power has certainly met our expectations,” noted Dick Despins, Schiller Station Plant Manager. “We are producing the same amount of power as before, but we are using a local, renewable fuel source. Our emissions are lower and the dollars we spend on fuel are staying close to home.”
By the numbers – since Northern Wood Power started operations on December 1, 2006:
Wood delivered: > 1.6 million tons
Regional economic impact ($ paid for wood chips): > $51 million
Major sources of clean wood chips: NH, 60 percent; MA, 31 percent; ME, 8 percent.
Coal NOT burned: > 500,000 tons
Sulfur dioxide emissions avoided: ~ 6,500 tons
Coal-related carbon dioxide emissions eliminated: ~ 1 million tons
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) produced: 1 million*
* 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.
Photos of Northern Wood Power at: http://www.psnh.com/Energy/EnergyProject/NWPP/photos.asp