When operational, the 70MW gross capacity biomass facility will consume local wood chips, which are byproducts of the local forest products industry and land management practices. The agreement between PSNH and Laidlaw runs for 20 years.
PSNH said that the biomass facility will move New Hampshire closer to its goal of getting 25% of power from renewable energy by the year 2025.
Gary Long, president and chief operating officer of PSNH, said: “We are committed to growing our portfolio of renewable energy, and the Laidlaw biomass plant will take us a significant step forward toward meeting the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standards mandate.
“Besides the energy, this plant will generate jobs – both direct and indirect – and we expect it to provide a real boost to the North Country’s economy.”
The Laidlaw plant will produce not only energy, but also renewable energy certificates (RECs). PSNH’s agreement with Laidlaw calls for the utility to purchase the energy, the generating capacity and the RECs produced by the biomass plant. The agreement must be considered and approved by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission.
