Metso to supply 100-MWe biomass boiler, plant automation system to American Renewables' Gainesville Renewable Energy Center in Gainesville, Florida, scheduled to begin commercial operation in 2013

Rachel Carter

GAINESVILLE, Florida , July 7, 2011 (press release) – The investment is an important milestone for renewable energy projects for the US, estimating clean electricity production for approximately 70 000 homes.

Metso will supply a 100 MWe biomass boiler island and plant automation system to the Gainesville Renewable Energy Center (GREC) in Gainesville, Florida, USA. GREC has successfully raised nearly $500 million in construction financing of which Metso's delivery represents more than 25 percent. The new power plant installation will supply Gainesville Regional Utilites (the city-owned utility) of Gainesville, Florida with a firm source of renewable electric power under the terms of a thirty year power purchase agreement.

"Our partnership with Metso played a significant role in allowing us to complete this construction financing. GREC is now able to move forward without delay, ensuring that the Gainesville community will receive the many environmental and financial benefits of this renewable energy facility", Jim Gordon, president of GREC LLC states.

The 100 MW biomass boiler will utilize bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) technology and use waste wood from logging and mill activity as well as urban wood waste from clearing, tree trimming and pallets as the main fuel. Metso's complete delivery scope includes the entire boiler island and flue gas cleaning system. Metso will also supply the entire power plant automation system.

Commercial operation of the plant is scheduled for 2013, and once operational, this 100 MW boiler will be one of the largest and most efficient biomass boilers in the world, providing clean electricity for approximately 70 000 homes. The investment in this new power plant, along with the local biomass fuel supply, will bring more than 700 jobs to the community.

The successful development of GREC follows that of Nacogdoches Power, a 100 MW biomass project located in east Texas, for which Metso was chosen 2009 as the boiler island supplier including plant automation system. GREC will be constructed by the same overall construction team, Fagen Inc., as that of Nacogdoches Power. Fagen Inc. is one of the largest green energy design-builders in the US. Gainesville Renewable Energy Center, LLC is an American Renewables project company based in Boston, Massachusetts in the USA.

"This order reflects the ongoing confidence placed on Metso by American Renewables and Fagen Inc. to provide another 100 MW BFB boiler to the North American market. Once built, this will be one of the world's largest and cleanest power plants for biomass combustion. This order continues to strengthen Metso's long standing position as the leading supplier in boilers for renewable fuels," says Dave King, President of the Metso's Power business line in North America. The order will be included in the Energy and Environmental Technology's Q3 orders received.

Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 28,500 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com

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