UK’s Eco2 targets 200 million Euro plus investments in biomass

Welsh-based renewable energy developer Eco2 is targeting the development of two biomass plants in Romania – in Slobozia, Ialomita county and Rosiorii de Vede, Teleorman county

March 2011 - From the Print Edition

The total investment for each plant could exceed 100 million Euro, while both plants will have an installed power of 40 MW.
The biomass plant in Slobozia could begin construction at the end of 2012 for a finish date of 2014. This power producer will be on private leased land, while the Rosiori de Vede project aims to be developed with the assistance of the local council.
The plants will combust primarily wheat straw, but also straw from rape, sunflower and corn and woodchip.
One of the key attractions for the development is the anticipated availability of large incentives through a Government renewable energy scheme, which favours biomass and solar power, Roger Preston, Eco2 representative for Romania tells The Diplomat.
The Cardiff-based company aims to sign 12-year contracts with local farmers to bale straw for the projects and it will need to source feedstock from a 70 km radius around the locations.
“Farmers get extra money and the company is building a market for a product where there was no market before,” says Preston.
The capacity for each plant is 240,000 tonnes of straw per year.
Once the local authorities give permission for the projects, they need to gain a zoning certificate and grid connection permits from state power grid company Transelectrica.
The projects could create 150 jobs in each plot.