Granite Shore Power CEO Jim Andrews Highlights Critical Role of Battery Storage to Ensure Reliability for Businesses in New Hampshire

Andrews featured as panelist in Business & Industry Association’s 2024 
New Hampshire Energy Symposium

(Concord, NH) – On November 7, 2024, Granite Shore Power CEO Jim Andrews participated in an expert panel at the Business & Industry Association’s 2024 New Hampshire Energy Symposium. In a panel conversation entitled, State of Energy in New Hampshire, Andrews offered insight into the future of the state’s energy grid, and how Granite Shore Power (“GSP”) is providing reliable energy generation to the families and businesses of New Hampshire.

“New England’s energy sector is at a critical moment, as many power plants in the region have recently retired and our own Merrimack and Schiller Stations are transitioning to renewable energy parks. This winter, fewer energy sources will be available, which creates a serious risk for energy stability in the area.” Andrews said. “It is imperative that we combat this by expanding energy sources, which will lower energy costs and help to build a reliable, sustainable future for New Hampshire.” 

GSP is proactively addressing the need for reliability by investing in battery storage, which can deliver power needed right away–not ten years from now. Andrews outlined the company’s plans for Schiller Station, which includes the addition of a battery energy storage system (BESS). The system will charge at points of low energy demand throughout the day and discharge at afternoon and evening peaks, balancing supply and demand in real time. In tandem with renewable energy resources, the technology will meet increased energy needs and allow for continued economic growth in the Granite State. 

“Throughout the redevelopment of Merrimack and Schiller stations, it is critical that we have the sustained support of both lawmakers and the community,” added Andrews. “This collaboration is essential to ensure we can deliver reliable electricity to the families and businesses of New England.”

In March of this year, GSP announced the voluntary closure of operations at Schiller Station and at Merrimack Station, New England’s last remaining coal-fired plant, facilitating the creation of first-of-their-kind “Renewable Energy Parks” in the state of New Hampshire. The transformation of these power plants into new, clean energy facilities marks the end of coal-fired generation in New England and facilitates exciting new economic growth at each location.   

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.