New biomass plant will benefit 30,000 locals

In its largest project to date, the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) is to invest $150 million (€113.7 million) in the construction of a biomass-fired power plant in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.

When it comes online in 2014 the plant will convert a variety of wood waste including bark, branches, sawdust and woodchips into renewable power. MLTC will sell all the power to a utility company after signing a 25-year power purchase agreement with SaskPower.

The plant will generate around 36MW of renewable power, making it the province's largest biomass-biopower plant. This is enough to power 30,000 homes.

Three hundred jobs will become available while the plant is in the construction phase. A further 25 permanent positions will be created when the plant becomes operational.