New Hampshire

Data center activity in New Hampshire

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Regulatory Environment Score
B
+3 pts

New Hampshire's regulatory environment is shaped by persistent moratorium pressure, with at least 13 moratoriums proposed though not enacted, and at least 2 formally rejected, suggesting local communities are actively debating data center development without yet imposing widespread pauses. Opposition has been notably effective, with at least 3 projects blocked and no projects reported as approved despite opposition. Only 1 zoning approval has been reported, limiting the evidence of a functioning pathway from application to construction. With just 10 companies active and low overall media coverage, this assessment carries reduced confidence, and the state's true regulatory posture may differ from what limited reporting reveals.

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Small NH town eyed for massive datacenter
News ClipEagle-Tribune·Bow, Merrimack County, NH

Small NH town eyed for massive datacenter$

A large 350-megawatt data center is being considered for the town of Bow, New Hampshire, on the site of the former Merrimack Station coal plant. Filings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission indicate an exploratory study is underway by Eversource Energy at the request of Granite Shore Power to assess grid connection viability.

9/5/2026
Tax relief or environmental threat? Bow residents divided over possible data center
News ClipConcord Monitor·Bow, Merrimack County, NH

Tax relief or environmental threat? Bow residents divided over possible data center$

Residents of Bow, New Hampshire, are divided over a potential data center on the site of a former power plant, with some seeing tax relief and others raising environmental and energy concerns. State politicians, including Governor Kelly Ayotte, have voiced strong opposition, citing high energy costs and proposing a statewide moratorium. No formal proposal has been submitted, but discussions are ongoing.

9/4/2026
2026 NH Democratic CD2 Debate: Data centers
News Clip2:38WMUR-TV·NH

2026 NH Democratic CD2 Debate: Data centers

Democratic candidates for New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District, Maggie Goodlander and Paige Beauchemin, participate in a debate. The candidates discuss their positions and whether they would support the development of data centers within the district.

9/4/2026
Governor Ayotte proposes data center moratorium
News ClipValley News·NH

Governor Ayotte proposes data center moratorium$

New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte is proposing a multi-year moratorium on data center development across the state, citing concerns over energy supply, rising electricity prices, and potential environmental impacts such as water and noise pollution. Her proposal will be included in the upcoming budget, with Democrats also planning to introduce similar legislation. This comes as a feasibility study is underway for a potential hyperscale data center in Bow.

9/3/2026
Ayotte opposes potential Bow data center, plans to propose statewide moratorium
News Clipctpublic.org·Bow, Merrimack County, NH

Ayotte opposes potential Bow data center, plans to propose statewide moratorium

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has announced her opposition to a potential hyperscale data center in Bow and plans to propose a multi-year statewide moratorium on data center development. She cites concerns over the state's energy supply, potential increases in energy prices, and environmental impacts like water and noise pollution. The moratorium is intended to give the state time to study these issues.

9/2/2026
Ayotte opposes potential Bow data center, plans to propose moratorium on data centers in state
News Clipnhpr.org·Bow, Merrimack County, NH

Ayotte opposes potential Bow data center, plans to propose moratorium on data centers in state

Governor Kelly Ayotte announced her opposition to a potential hyperscale data center in Bow, New Hampshire, and plans to propose a multi-year statewide moratorium on data centers in her upcoming budget. Citing concerns about energy prices, environmental impacts, and a lack of state regulations, her proposal aligns with local efforts and a similar legislative plan from State House Democrats. The moratorium, if enacted, would not take effect until July 2027 at the earliest, though an executive order could impose it sooner.

9/2/2026
A massive data center could be headed for New Hampshire
News ClipThe Boston Globe·Bow, Merrimack County, NH

A massive data center could be headed for New Hampshire

A preliminary study is underway for a potential 350-megawatt hyperscale data center in Bow, New Hampshire, on the former Merrimack Station site. The project, involving Eversource Energy and Granite Shore Power, has prompted New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte to advocate for a moratorium on data center construction in the state due to energy concerns. Local officials in Bow, however, see the development as a significant source of tax revenue.

9/2/2026
Bow in talks to become site of new data center
News ClipNew Hampshire Public Radio·Bow, Merrimack County, NH

Bow in talks to become site of new data center

The town of Bow, New Hampshire, is in high-level discussions about becoming the site of a new 350-megawatt data center at the former Merrimack Station site. Granite Shore Power has filed a request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to discuss power grid connections with Eversource for the project. This potential development comes amidst growing statewide opposition to data centers, including Governor Kelly Ayotte's support for a moratorium on their construction.

9/1/2026
News ClipNew Hampshire Bulletin·Bow, Merrimack County, NH

Possible hyperscale data center eyed for Bow$

A hyperscale data center project is reportedly being considered for development in Bow, New Hampshire. Specific details regarding the project or its current status are not provided in the article.

9/1/2026
New Hampshire political candidates advocate for data center moratorium
News ClipUnionLeader.com·Merrimack, Hillsborough County, NH

New Hampshire political candidates advocate for data center moratorium

Democratic candidates Stefany Shaheen (Congressional) and Cinde Warmington (Governor) are advocating for a moratorium on data center development in New Hampshire, citing concerns over water and electricity consumption. Shaheen also proposes federal legislation to compensate communities for resource loss. This push comes amidst ongoing local concerns about environmental contamination and increased demand on public utilities in towns like Merrimack.

8/27/2026
Ayotte says she now supports a moratorium on data centers
News ClipNew Hampshire Public Radio·NH

Ayotte says she now supports a moratorium on data centers

New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte has publicly announced her support for a statewide moratorium on data centers. She cited concerns regarding the state's energy capacity and the potential for increased energy prices for residents. Ayotte stated that New Hampshire is not an appropriate location for data centers due to energy and environmental impacts.

8/21/2026
Rochester residents voice opposition to data centers
News ClipNew Hampshire Public Radio·Rochester, Strafford County, NH

Rochester residents voice opposition to data centers

Rochester, New Hampshire, is considering a proposed city ordinance that would limit data centers to a specific industrial zone, aiming to discourage their development within the city. Residents have actively voiced strong opposition to allowing data centers, urging the City Council to protect them. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance in September.

8/20/2026
City Council Holds Public Hearing to Discuss Data Centers in Rochester, Considers Amendments to City Ordinances
News ClipThe Rochester Post (.gov)·Rochester, Strafford County, NH

City Council Holds Public Hearing to Discuss Data Centers in Rochester, Considers Amendments to City Ordinances

The Rochester City Council held a public hearing to discuss proposed amendments to city ordinances that would define data centers and potentially prohibit them in most zoning districts. The Planning Board supports the amendment, which would require a conditional use permit for data centers only in the Recycling Industrial District. A final decision by City Council is pending.

8/20/2026
Rochester enacts new ordinance on data centers
News ClipWZID·Rochester, Strafford County, NH

Rochester enacts new ordinance on data centers

Residents of Rochester, NH, recently attended a public meeting to discuss a new ordinance concerning data centers, voicing concerns over water usage, energy consumption, and environmental impacts. Following the meeting, the city enacted an ordinance that restricts data centers to a recycling industrial district and requires a conditional use permit for construction within that zone.

8/19/2026