EDF and Santee Cooper dedicate the Pinelands biomass project

EDF Renewable Energy and Santee Cooper have dedicated the Pinelands biomass project, which consists of two nominal 17.8MW generating facilities located in Allendale and Dorchester counties in South Carolina.

The Dorchester facility achieved commercial operation on 1 November with Allendale not far behind on 19 November.

The two projects interconnect to Santee Cooper's transmission system adjacent to the sites with the generated renewable energy contracted to the utility under 30-year power purchase agreements.

'Biomass is poised to be a key renewable base-load energy resource for South Carolina,' says Tristan Grimbert, president and CEO of EDF Renewable Energy. 'Utilising wood waste to generate electricity is a proven renewable technology.'

Allendale and Dorchester counties benefit from a substantial and reliable wood supply. The woody biomass facilities, with a consistent wood demand, will bring economic benefits to both counties by contracting with the existing trucking and wood supply industry.

The projects use a proven biomass design with a stoker boiler, supplied by Factory Sales Engineering and a steam turbine generator supplied by General Electric. Bibb Engineers is the engineer of record and Summit Industrial Construction is the general contractor. EDF Renewable Services will provide long-term operations and maintenance.