That Drax Group of Selby, England, is building three “satellite” wood pellet plants in Arkansas, the first near a West Fraser sawmill in Leola (Grant County), is old news.
But the sustainable biomass production and supply company told Whispers last week that the second of those three will be in Russellville.
Drax spokesperson Ali Lewis said by email the Leola plant is expected to be operational later this year, followed by the Russellville plant next year. The company is still looking at a third site and will announce more details on it at a later date, she said.
Each plant will employ about 10 people and produce about 120,000 metric tons of sustainable biomass pellets a year from sawmill residue. The company is investing $40 million total in the projects.
“The investment we’re making in these sites will help Arkansas to play an important role in combating climate change, supporting Drax to increase the amount of sustainable biomass we produce as part of our plans to pioneer bioenergy with carbon capture and storage,” Lewis said.
“By using sustainable biomass, we have displaced coal-fired power generation, and helped reduce carbon emissions across Drax Group by 90% in the last decade — making Drax one of the lowest carbon intensity power generators in Europe.”
Sign up for Daily E-news
