New biomass plant opens in France

Operations have begun at the largest biomass driven CHP facility in France this month.

The 69MW plant is based at paper manufacturer Smurfit Kappa Group’s Biganos-Facture facility in the south west.

It will convert over 500,000 metric tonnes of tree bark and fines from its pulp screening process to produce electricity, which will be purchased by EDF Energy, and up to 360 metric tonnes of steam per hour that will be used to dry paper made at the facility.

The two-year installation project was completed by Dalkia, a subsidiary of Veolia Enviornmental, which will also be providing part of the woody biomass for use.