Florida To Get Renewable Energy Center
A Georgia based company, Biomass Gas and Electric has announced plans to build an energy center that will be called the Northwest Florida Renewable Energy Center. The center is expected to be operational by the fall of 2011 and will generate enough power to supply 30,000 homes.
Progress Energy Florida has plans to purchase and distribute the energy produced by the center. The construction of the new center will create about 200 jobs. Once completed, the center will employ around 25 workers on a permanent basis.
The jobs are projected to increase consumer spending in the Gulf and surrounding counties. Even those who work in the logging, transportation and farming industries are expected to see a boost. The plant will use forest residue, wood chips from suppliers within a 50 mile radius and fast growing grasses.
Around 100 supply jobs will also be needed once the center is fully operational. The new facility won’t be the first biomass plant in Florida, but it will be the most advanced and will generate 40 percent more energy than other biomass plants located in the state.