EDF Energies Nouvelles' 35.6-MW wood biomass project--consisting of two plants with identical capacity--in Pinelands, South Carolina, reflects company's strategy of expanding into several forms of sustainable energy beyond its core wind, solar activities

Allison Oesterle

December 27, 2013 (Datamonitor Energy/UtilitiesWire) – EDF Energies Nouvelles, a renewable energy company, has announced that its US subsidiary, EDF Renewable Energy, Inc., has commissioned a biomass plant in Pinelands, South Carolina.

This biomass plant, which generates renewable energy from wood waste, reflects EDF Energies Nouvelles' intention of expanding in several sustainable forms of energy, alongside its core wind and solar energy activities.

With 35.6 MW in installed capacity, the Pinelands power plant consists of two installations with identical capacity located in Dorchester and Allendale, densely wooded counties in South Carolina. Harnessing biomass from forestry areas located close to the biomass plant represents an exemplary logistics with minimal environmental impacts. In addition, the biomass power plant possesses an abundant and reliable supply chain that will keep its generation operations going.

The Pinelands wood waste recovery plant will deliver significant economic benefits to the two counties. Construction of the project generated more than 250 jobs, and 38 permanent plant operations and maintenance positions have been created at EDF Renewable Energy's subsidiary EDF Renewable Services. Lastly, indirect jobs will be generated locally under supply contracts with timber industry and transport companies.

The Pinelands power plant, which has been interconnected to the Santee Cooper transmission system adjacent to the sites, will supply the electricity generated under 30-year Power Purchase Agreements. The biomass plant uses a proven biomass design. It consists of a stoker boiler supplied by Factory Sales Engineering (FSE) and a steam turbine generator manufactured by General Electric (GE).
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