36th largest plant in New Hampshire · 8274th nationally
Rolfe Canal Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in New Hampshire with a nameplate capacity of 4.3 MW. It generates roughly 27.8k MWh per year — enough to power about 2,646 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 74% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Rolfe Canal Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | Briar-Hydro Associates |
| City | Penacook |
| County | Merrimack County |
| State | New Hampshire |
| ZIP | 03303 |
| Coordinates | 43.27456, -71.60403 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 4.3 MW | Operating | 1987 |
| NERC Region | NPCC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Iso New England Inc. |
Hydroelectric plants spin turbines using falling or flowing water — typically from a dam-impounded reservoir. They are dispatchable, long-lived, and emission-free at the point of generation, though large reservoirs can disrupt rivers and ecosystems and methane can be released from flooded vegetation.