4Energy Invest starts the construction of a large scale torrefied
wood pellets production facility in Amel for a total investment of 13
million Euro
Brussels - February 2, 2009 18.00 CET
4Energy Invest, the Belgian renewable energy company focused on
valorising biomass into energy, announces today the start of a
construction of the biomass torrefaction unit that will produce
torrefied wood pellets (biocoal) for co-firing with pulverised coal
in electricity generation facilities and charcoal for barbecue
purposes.
The biomass torrefaction unit will be built in collaboration with
Stramproy Green Technology, the Dutch-based engineering contractor
and technology owner.
The total investment program launched by 4Energy Invest for the
biomass torrefaction unit and a biomass storage platform results in
capital expenditures of about 13 Million Euro. 9.3 Million Euro will
be provided by the banks and the difference will be funded out of the
proceeds that 4Energy Invest raised through its IPO in June 2008. 12
additional direct full time jobs will also be created.
Biocoal are wood pellets processed through a torrefaction unit.
Biocoal is a solid enhanced biomass fuel in terms of energy density
(almost twice the energy density of wood sawdust pellets and
equivalent to the energy density of the coal used in coal fired power
stations by utilities). High-grade solid fuel suitable for
multipurpose commercial, industrial and domestic use, it is used as
renewable fuel for the substitution of coal in electric generation
facilities or for the substitution of wood fuel pellets, briquettes
or other biomass-based fuels with high energy density. Biocoal is
hydrophobic and is easy to store and handle.
The annual production capacity of the biomass torrefaction unit in
Amel will equal approximately 38,000 Tons, composed for about 94% of
torrefied wood pellets (biocoal) for substitution of coal in
coal-fired electricity generation facilities and about 6% for
barbecue purposes. The biomass storage facility will be able to host
up to 35,000 Tons of feedstock and will act as strategic platform for
the biomass-to-energy activities of 4Energy Invest.
Start of commercial operation of the biomass torrefaction unit is
scheduled for end 2009. The existing cogeneration units of 4Energy
Invest will supply the biomass torrefaction unit with the renewable
heat and electricity needed in its production process. The biocoal
produced by 4Energy Invest will thus have a minimum CO2 footprint.
Yves Crits, CEO of 4Energy Invest, comments: "The innovative
renewable character of the large scale biomass torrefaction unit of
4Energy Invest in Amel is supported by the banking institutions,
which is a strong sign of confidence in our company. Moreover, this
investment will imply the creation of 12 jobs."
About 4Energy Invest
4Energy Invest is a Belgian based renewable energy company that aims
at creating and managing a portfolio of small to midsized locally
embedded projects that valorise biomass, directly or indirectly, into
energy. 4Energy Invest identifies potential biomass projects,
performs a feasibility study and eventually takes responsibility for
developing, financing, constructing and operating the project, in
close cooperation with carefully selected suppliers and partners.
4Energy Invest (through its fully owned subsidiary Renogen) has two
cogeneration projects, located in Amel (Wallonia, Belgium), that are
fully operational. 4Energy Invest starts building in Amel a large
scale torrefaction unit to produce biocoal or torrified wood pellets
with minimum CO2 footprint.
Exploiting its in-depth biomass expertise, 4Energy Invest presently
pursues other cogeneration projects either on a stand alone basis or
in combination with other applications that convert biomass into
solid fuel (biocoal). In that respect, cogeneration projects in Ham
(Limburg, Belgium) and in Pontrilas (England, UK) are under advanced
stage of development. In addition, 4Energy Invest has recently moved
two projects from the origination phase to the development phase
(combined cogeneration and biocoal production project in Reisbach,
Germany and a biogas and biocoal production project in Flanders).
4Energy Invest is listed on Euronext Brussels under symbol ENIN.
This press release is made available in English, Dutch, French and
German through our corporate website www.4energyinvest.com
For more information, please contact:
Yves Crits, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +32 (0)2 526 90 11
yves.crits@4energyinvest.com
Origami PR Consultant - Lucia Sanchez
Tel : +32 (0)2 539 07 04
lucia@origami.be
This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is
solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
