Oglethorpe Power to build biomass generation

GEORGIA - Oglethorpe Power Corporation plans to build as many as three 100 MW biomass electric generating facilities in Georgia.

Designed to use woody biomass the power plants will provide power to OPC's 38 member cooperatives. The plants could cost as much as $500 million each, or $5,000/kW.

The first two biomass power plants are scheduled to be built and placed into operation in 2014 and 2015. A third unit could also be completed and placed into service in 2015.

Each plant will require an annual investment of more than $30 million for fuel stock.

The power plants will be steam-electric generation stations using conventional fluidized bed boiler/steam turbine technology.

The plants will be designed to allow for the co-firing of other types of biomass, such as pecan hulls and peanut shells. There are no plans to use any fossil fuels.

Depending on the location, water would be obtained either from onsite wells, nearby surface waters, from municipal sources or grey water from nearby industries.

OPC has approximately $5 billion in assets, and serves 38 Electric Membership Corporations which, collectively, provide electricity to 4.1 million Georgia citizens. Its energy portfolio includes natural gas, hydroelectric, coal, and nuclear generating plants with a combined capacity of approximately 4,700 MW, as well as purchased power.