Seminole adds more biomass to renewable portfolio

Seminole Electric Biomass Contract underscores Florida's renewable energy push, backing an advanced bio-refinery using proven Brazilian processes, with price-competitive biofuels, grid reliability, sustainability benefits, and a long-term power purchase option through 2036.

Seminole Electric Cooperative, the nonprofit wholesale power supplier to 10 electric distribution co-ops in Florida, will add 25 megawatts (MW) of biomass energy to its resource portfolio under a contract signed in July with Ft. Lauderdale-based Southeast Renewable Fuels.

Seminole’s chief executive, Tim Woodbury, says the new contract reflects the cooperative’s continued commitment to renewable resources and environmental stewardship.

“Biomass is clean, efficient, reliable, and renewable, much like innovations such as the first hybrid solar plant in Florida,” Woodbury noted, “and it’s price competitive with traditional energy sources, an important factor in holding down the retail cost of electricity.”

Southeast’s chief executive, Aaron Pepper, said that SRF has taken a unique approach to Florida policymakers’ calls for development of Florida’s renewable industry and advanced energy concepts. Instead of relying on unproven technology that hasn’t been scaled to production levels, SRF has modeled the facility after well-established processes successfully deployed in places such as Brazil.

“We are very pleased to be working with Seminole Electric and thankful to the State of Florida, Governor Crist, Commissioner Bronson, and the Florida Energy and Climate Commission and initiatives like FPL’s green-power plan for businesses for assisting in developing the State’s first commercial Advanced Bio-Refinery,” he added.

The facility is expected to go into commercial service sometime in late 2011, similar in timing to the first commercial-scale solar center in the state. The new contract gives Seminole the option of purchasing the facility’s output through November, 2036. The parties did not disclose contract terms.

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