The plant will be able to generate 215 MW of electricity using wood chip as a feedstock once operational. Construction of the plant, located at the international port of Ghent, is expected to start in the first quarter of 2016 and will take three years, creating more than 1,000 jobs in the local area. Veolia will be responsible for its operation for 15 years with revenues of around 150 million euros. The electricity generated by the plant will be sold to various industrial concerns as well as being fed into the grid.
“With Veolia, we are confident of having a world-renowned partner able to commit to a results guarantee because of the experience they have acquired with similar projects” said Michael Corten, CEO of Bee.
Veolia will work with Bee from the beginning of the construction phase in order to ensure the best operability of the facility. Around 450,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year are expected to be displaced by the plant, thereby contributing to the EU’s 2020 emissions reductions targets. It will provide 2 percent of Belgium’s total electricity production and will also contribute to an increased share of renewable energy in the country as well as improving Belgium’s overall energy efficiency through introduction of the most efficient technology.
Bee was founded in 2010. It generates renewable energy from a network of biomass, cogeneration, solar and wind power plants. Veolia specialises in optimised resource management and is involved in waste, water and energy management.
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