Metso to supply biomass boiler for We Energies' 50-MW cogeneration power plant at Domtar's mill in Rothschild, Wisconsin; plant will use circulating fluidized bed technology, burn waste wood when it comes online in 2013

Rachel Carter

HELSINKI , September 14, 2011 (press release) – Metso will supply a biomass boiler to the We Energies/Domtar Biomass Energy Project owned by We Energies. The biomass boiler is a key component of a major investment to build a new biomass-fueled cogeneration power plant which will be located at the Domtar Mill in Rothschild, Wisconsin, USA. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

The biomass boiler plant will utilize circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology and will use waste wood from logging and mill activity, tree trimming and sawdust as the main fuel. The plant will produce approximately 50 megawatts of renewable electric power and provide process steam to the mill.

"We chose Metso for our biomass project based on their proven biomass experience and robust boiler design features, coupled with their strong organizational commitment to sustainable technologies. "We fully expect to realize the project goals of cogenerating cost-effective renewable electric power and process steam , while reducing overall emissions at the Domtar Rothschild mill", says Al Mihm, project director at We Energies.

"Metso is proud to be chosen by We Energies for such an industry-leading collaboration. This order continues to reinforce Metso's commitment to be the pre-eminent supplier of bioenergy plants", says Robert Deneault, General Manager Capital Sales at Metso's Power business line in North America. "Once built, this boiler will join a fleet of 33 Metso CFB boilers already operating in the US, and this one will be the largest and most efficient biomass-fired boiler of them all", adds Dave King, President at Metso's Power business line in North America.

The commercial operation of the plant is scheduled for 2013. The value of the order is included in the Energy and Environmental Technology's second quarter 2011 orders received.

The We Energies/Domtar Biomass Energy Project is owned by We Energies, an investor-owned electric utility company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. We Energies serves more than 1.1 million electric customers in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula and more than 1 million natural gas customers in Wisconsin. We Energies is the trade name of Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas LLC, the principal utility subsidiaries of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE: WEC). Visit the We Energies website at www.we-energies.com. Learn more about Wisconsin Energy Corporation by visiting www.wisconsinenergy.com.

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 29,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com

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