Spain’s Ence generates 1st MW at new biomass plant in Andalusia

Spanish pulp mill operator and renewable energy company Ence Energia y Celulosa SA said the 46-MW biomass-fired plant in Andalusia had produced its first megawatt of power.

The trial phase will run until December when the plant is expected to officially start operations.

The new facility, located in Huelva province, south-west Spain, will be fed mainly agroforestry residues from the surrounding areas. Once fully online, it will be capable of producing 299,000 MWh of electricity per year, equivalent to the consumption needs of nearly 56,000 people.

With the new plant in operation, Ence will lift its biomass generation capacity in Huelva to 137 MW. The company already runs one 50-MW power plant, commissioned in 2012, and another of 41 MW in Spain’s southern province.