Merrimack Coal Power Plant | New Hampshire, USA | 496.4 MW

Merrimack is a coal-fired power plant located in New Hampshire, United States, with a capacity of 496.4 MW. Owned and operated by Granite Shore Power, the facility is currently operational and contributes to the region's electricity supply. As a coal plant, it operates within the context of US environmental regulations, including the Clean Air Act and its associated programs such as the Acid Rain Program and CSAPR. The plant's capacity places it in the medium-to-large scale for coal-fired generation in the US. Coal plants of this era typically employ subcritical or supercritical technology. The facility must comply with federal and state emissions standards for SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, and may be subject to regional haze rules. Merrimack plays a role in New Hampshire's energy mix, providing baseload or intermediate power depending on grid demand. Its location near the Merrimack River offers cooling water access. The plant's environmental footprint is influenced by its coal fuel source, which has higher CO2 intensity compared to natural gas or renewables. Ongoing regulatory trends may affect its long-term operations.

The plant's coal fuel source results in significant CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions per MWh compared to natural gas or renewable alternatives. Its location in New Hampshire, a state with growing renewable energy targets, places it under scrutiny for air quality impacts. The facility's age and technology (likely subcritical or supercritical) influence its thermal efficiency and emission rates. Proximity to populated areas may raise local air quality concerns.