Iberdrola Renovables Commences Construction of its First Biomass Plant in USA

Iberdrola Renovables announced that it has commenced the construction of its first ever forestry biomass power generation facility in USA. The Lakeview cogeneration plant will have the capability to generate around 26.8 MW power, and it is anticipated to start functioning by the end of 2012. Earlier that company has constructed a biomass plant in Corduente (Guadalajara, Spain).

The new plant is to be located in Lake County, a countryside that lies in the eastern part of Oregon State. The plant will use the forestry biomass to be received from regular pruning and cleaning procedures from the forests located in eastern Oregon for generating power. The plant site is situated around 20 miles from California State and lays close to the major power transmission lines. The project is expected to bring in improvements in the economy of the state by creating around 200 jobs during the construction stage, 20 positions in maintenance operations of the plant and another 50 job opportunities in storing and transporting of biomass.

The project while providing facilities to continue further research in power production from biomass will also up keep the natural surroundings near the plant and the ecological system. The air-cooled plant will cut down the water consumption by nearly 80%. The project is supported by the local environmental group, forestry companies and the community organizations.