Biothermal energy
The new plant uses waste wood resulting from the maintenance of parks, public gardens and forests in the region. This includes branches that are part of the green waste that cannot be used for other useful purposes. Naturally, the sustainability requirements for biomass used in the new plant are very strict.

Second phase
The plant is now on stream and generates 30 MWth of heat. This completes the first phase. The implementation of the second phase has also started, which will result in the supply of an additional 30 MWth of heat to the district heating grid from the end of 2020. Ultimately, the plant will ensure that 40% of the district heating in Utrecht and Nieuwegein will be sustainable, as CO₂ emissions will be reduced by a total of 80,000 tons on a yearly basis.

Eneco is planning to connect even more sustainable sources to the district heating grid over the coming years, including heat supplied by the sewage water treatment installation RWZI De Stichtse Rijnlanden.

Photo above: Frans van de Noort, COO Eneco (left) and mayor of Utrecht Jan van Zanen

The new biomass power plant, which is located in the Farmsum industrial zone of Delfzijl, has a capacity of  49.9 Megawatt and is the largest and most efficient biomass power plant in the Benelux. The electricity plant will supply sustainable energy to a large part of the businesses and homes in and around Delfzijl. The recycled wood fired plant will become operational by mid-July and offers employment to 30 employees.

The construction of a large biomass power plant fits in well with Eneco's strategy to enhance the sustainability of the energy supply. An increasing part of the electricity that Eneco produces for its customers is generated by means of wind turbines, solar power installations and from biomass. The plant in Delfzijl is a major step forward for Eneco in this respect. Bio Golden Raand produces sustainable electricity for 120,000 households, which corresponds to the amount of energy generated by the Princess Amalia Wind Farm located at the North Sea.

AkzoNobel and Eneco are enthusiastic about the possibilities of the new power plant. In view of its leading position in the Sustainability Index for the chemical sector of Swiss research institute SAM, AkzoNobel takes the entire supply chain into account, from supplier to customer, in its efforts to improve the sustainability of its production processes. Enhancing the sustainability of the energy supply is an important part of this objective. There is a continuous search for possibilities to enhance the sustainability of production processes, to use resources efficiently and, simultaneously, to realise cost reductions. 

Neighbour selects name

Local residents and stakeholders are closely involved in the construction of the plant. For example The Borgsweer Environment Sounding Board provided advice about the integration of the plant in the landscape. The result is a neutral grey building that blends in with the surroundings and is barely visible against the blue and grey of the sky and clouds. Eneco also asked local residents to come up with an appropriate name for the bioenergy plant. The name Eneco Bio Golden Raand was selected from the 42 names sent in by 31 different people. Frits Alma sent in the winning name: "Eneco builds its green plant in the region named 'Golden Raand' meaning the golden edge of the province of Groningen. A great initiative with a name that is also mentioned in the provincial anthem. That gives the people of Groningen a sense of pride. I very much appreciate that Eneco has given us the opportunity to suggest names for the plant and I am naturally thrilled that they have selected the name that I proposed."

High efficiency

Eneco has awarded the contract for the construction of the plant to the AMB consortium consisting of AREVA Renewables GmbH (Germany), Ballast Nedam Infra bv (Netherlands) and Metso Power Oy (Finland). Some 350 people will be involved in the construction. After completion, the plant will offer employment for 30 people. At 37%, the plant has a very high electrical efficiency. This is due to the relatively high pressure and temperature in the steam circuit, the use of sea water in the cooling system and the implementation of Fluidised Bed combustion technology. This technology uses a hot sand bed to ensure optimal combustion of the biomass.

300,000 tons of wood chips

The wood that is converted to electricity in the plant will arrive by ship, train and truck from the Netherlands and surrounding countries. Approximately 300 thousand tons are required each year, which equals about 150 ship loads. The wood-burning plant will lead to a reduction of 250,000 tons of CO2 emissions a year compared with electricity generated in a conventional plant.