Biomass Plant for South Carolina

Santee Cooper will purchase the 50 megawatts of renewable power that the new facility will produce as a significant enhancement to the utility's existing renewable energy programmes.

Loblolly Green Power will be the first such facility in South Carolina generating commercially available renewable power.

The $170 million investment is expected to generate 27 new permanent jobs and be operational by late 2011.

"Rollcast is pleased to announce the location of Loblolly in Newberry County. Our goal is to produce sustainable, green power for South Carolina using the local resource of woody biomass," said Penn Cox, President of Rollcast Energy.

"This area of the state offers very skilled forestry management, forestry operations and recycling companies and we are excited to play a role in the sustainable growth of these industries. We appreciate all the support we've received from state and local economic development officials, the State Forestry Commission and Santee Cooper."

Rollcast will build and operate a facility in Newberry County to produce electricity from biomass, a clean, renewable resource when used for energy production.

The Newberry plant, Loblolly Green Power, will generate biomass from area logging residues and urban wood debris.

"Santee Cooper has been South Carolina’s leader in renewable power generation since 2001, when we first started generating electricity from renewable landfill gas," said Lonnie Carter, president and chief executive officer of the state-owned utility.

"We are pleased to be working with Rollcast, a leader in the biomass field. This venture lets us significantly grow our renewable portfolio, helping us move towards our 2020 goal of generating 40 percent of our energy through non-greenhouse gas emitting resources, renewables, conservation and energy efficiency. And it continues our tradition of meeting the state’s energy needs in an environmentally responsible way."

Since the fuel for biomass plants is produced locally, states using biomass can create more jobs in the community compared with a typical fossil fuel plant.

The Newberry facility is expected to require 27 new permanent jobs with up to an estimated additional 200 jobs that could be generated as a result of contractor services and construction. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2009 and the plant is scheduled for energy production by 2011.

"Newberry County's investments in economic development continue to return benefits to our citizens," said County Council Chairman Henry Summer. "Today's announcement will bring a substantial capital investment and good paying jobs to the community. We welcome Loblolly Green Power to Newberry County and look forward to supporting their success."

Central S.C. Alliance Chairman Jim Apple said: "What a significant day for Newberry County and the Central SC Region as we welcome this major announcement by Rollcast Energy and Santee Cooper. The Alliance is pleased that Newberry County had the perfect industrial site to meet the needs of one of nation's leading renewable energy companies.

"Today's announcement is a solid indicator that the Central SC region is a premier location when it comes to attracting next energy related companies. We certainly appreciate the continued support of South Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor and staff for their efforts in assisting our team."

Once operations begin, the biomass plant will produce approximately 50 megawatts, enough to supply power to 25,000 homes.

TheBioenergySite News Desk

Sign up for our
regular news updates

Latest Bioenergy Industry News

•   Biodiesel from Urban Waste
•   Egypt Wants Brazilian know-how in Biofuels
•   Inland Empire Oilseeds Starts Biodiesel Production
•   Biofuel Subsidies in China
•   CME: Crude Oil Prices Impact Livestock Production
•   €50m Set for Wind Farm Investment
•   Planning Notice for Aegir Offshore Wind Farm Submitted
•   Agreement on Viability of Mammoth Ethanol Facility
•   EPA Applauded for Biodiesel Rule in 2009
•   Type of Physic Nut to Undergo R&D