Veolia awarded operations contract

Located in the heart of the 'American Broiler Belt', North Carolina is home to a large-scale poultry production industry. Historically, poultry growers have applied chicken manure to their fields as fertilizer. However, with the increased number and size of chicken houses, and less land available for land application, poultry growers have found themselves with more litter than they require for fertilizer. Additionally, there is concern about use of poultry litter as fertilizer and its effects on local streams, lakes and ground water.

The North Carolina Utilities Commission recognises poultry waste as a renewable energy source, creating a sustainable and economic opportunity for poultry waste-to-energy. GRP is converting a once dormant coal-fired power plant to a biomass facility that utilises poultry waste and wood from the regional timber industry as fuel. Under a long-term agreement, GRP has engaged Veolia to provide comprehensive operations and maintenance services of the plant's CHP operations and production of biomass fuel and organic fertilizer.

"Succeeding with a project like NCRP-Lumberton requires having a vision, and the right partners," said Dave Shafer, CEO of Georgia Renewable Power. "Veolia's depth of national and global expertise in developing and operating complex energy plants, robust bench strength and balance sheet, and like-minded focus on sustainability, makes them a perfect operations partner for this biomass facility, and future GRP projects."

"We're pleased to collaborate and support an innovative renewable energy company like GRP," said John Gibson, president and COO of Veolia North America's Municipal & Commercial business. "The Lumberton plant is another example of how a circular economy approach can yield significant economic, environmental and social benefits. By converting former waste streams into biomass energy and recycled goods, Georgia Renewable Power is helping the State meet its meet its renewable energy targets, while also protecting local waterways."

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/the-environment/08062017/veolia-awarded-operations-contract/