GRU Chooses 100 MW Biomass Power Plant
GRU concluded a long search for competitively-priced renewable energy-fueled base load capacity on May 12, when our board of directors, the City Commission, voted unanimously to authorize us to negotiate a contract with Nacogdoches Energy, LLC to construct and operate a 100-megawatt (net) biomass-fueled facility.
The proposed facility will be constructed on our existing Deerhaven Generating Station site, which already includes 421 megawatts (net) of coal and gas-fired steam and combustion turbine units. Nacogdoches will be responsible for fuel acquisition as well as all other operating functions, and GRU will purchase 100 percent of the unit’s output under a long-term purchased power agreement.
GRU has developed a two-part energy strategy that includes aggressive demand-side management and economical base-load generation fueled by renewable resources.
Biomass is ideal as a renewable resource in north central Florida, as forestry for paper pulp, chip and saw timber is the principal agricultural industry. The biomass burned in the plant will come from the leftover waste wood of timber harvesting operations and other indirect sources such as urban vegetation management.
The new plant could be online by 2013, and is being constructed to provide economical power while providing environmental and regulatory benefits.
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