Continuing to maintain renewable power sources, Duke Energy and Craven County Wood Energy (CCWE) have renewed a long-term power agreement to purchase 100% of the electricity produced by the 50 MW biomass-powered plant in New Bern, NC. The facility uses mainly wood waste and poultry (turkey farm) waste to generate electricity. Throughout its 25 years of operation, the facility has been upgraded to use more poultry waste—about 25% currently, with plans to go as high as 30%.
Under the agreement, Duke Energy will buy 100% of the energy and associated renewable energy certificates (RECs) from the facility. A REC is a commodity equal to 1 megawatt-hour of renewable generation. Under North Carolina’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS), Duke Energy must eventually meet 0.21% of its overall power sales with energy generated by swine and poultry waste. North Carolina is the only state with a renewable energy carveout for swine and poultry waste.
The CCWE power plant has about 50 employees and also supports jobs in logging, trucking, welding, parts supply industries and many other local merchants in the area. Its use of waste wood lessens the amount of materials going to local landfills. “Craven County is excited about our continued, long-term relationship with Craven County Wood Energy. From employment, both direct and indirect, to alternative energy production, CCWE plays a vital role in the economic development of our community,” says Timothy Downs, director of economic development for Craven County.
From: Southern Loggin’ Times Editors