Current Projects
Peabody Municipal Light Plant is always improving—always upgrading to stay on top of technology, service and industry trends.
Solar Panels for PMLP
Fall 2024
We are researching the feasibility to add solar panels to our property at 201 Warren St. Ext. We are reviewing solutions with vendors, and hope to find a path forward to tie this generation into an on-site battery. Together, these technologies could provide long-term revenue and help keep customer rates low.
Parking Lot Paving
Spring 2023
We’re re-paving our entire parking lot to make it safer and improve visibility for parking. The wear and tear from 35 years of New England weather have left deep cracks, holes, and other types of degradation. We are partnering with highly accredited engineering firm Weston & Sampson and will ensure the project complies with all conservation requirements.
Building Renovation
Spring 2023
The old PMLP main building is almost 35 years old and needs to be updated. Changes to the space will be optimized for modern business operations and recent changes within our internal organizational structure that will help us to better serve you. The most urgent changes will be to our front lobby and to upgrade to “touch-free” bathrooms.
Electric Vehicle Chargers
Fall 2023
We are leveraging a grant from the Mass Department of Environment Protection for six (6) Electric Vehicle charging stations which will help PMLP customers have local FAST charging stations to get their EVs charged. We’ve engaged Voltrek to provide ChargePoint stations that will be located near the Little Depot Diner on Railroad Ave, at the municipal lot on Foster St., and at the municipal lot on Mill St.
Utility Battery Storage
Spring 2024
Battery Storage reduces our bulk power costs by allowing us to store power when it is cheaper for us to buy (during non-peak times), and then to use the battery to meet our needs for transmission and capacity when bulk power costs would be higher (during peak times). This will be a collaborative project with MMWEC, and we are currently evaluating location options.
2020A
Operation as of 2023 (Structural portion already completed)
More carbon-free and renewable energy will be added into our portfolio once commercial operation begins. PMLP will receive 29% (2MW) of the energy output and project benefits of this 30-acre, 7MW solar project under construction in Ludlow, MA.
2021A
CANCELLED due to price increase
Through currently-drafted contracts we are seeking a 13% increase in our carbon-free and renewable energy portfolio, pushing us over our established goal of 50% net-zero by 2030. We are looking for opportunities to purchase a significant amount of energy from the rapidly developing off-shore wind market.
Berkshire Wind(I,II)
2011, 2019
PMLP was an early adopter and largest contributor (18%) of wind energy by participating in Berkshire Wind Phase I, Massachusetts’ largest inland commercial windfarm when it was constructed in 2011. The success of Phase I was followed with Phase II in 2019, bringing the total number of turbines to 12, and providing PMLP with close to 3MW of energy, which is about 2% of our energy portfolio.
Hydro-Quebec
1982, 2020
Beginning in 2020, we started to purchase reliable, low-cost, and carbon-free hydro power using our transmission rights to the high-voltage Hydro-Quebec Interconnection transmission line that extends from the Canadian utility, Hydro-Quebec, to central Massachusetts power. PMLP has been a right-holder to a portion of this infrastructure since 1982.