New biomass facility coming to Allendale County

Southeast Renewable Energy announced plans Monday to build a 15-megawatt biomass energy plant in Allendale County. Biomass is the use of biological material, such as timber residues for energy source. The company has a 30-year agreement to sell the green power to Santee Cooper.

The $50 million investment is expected to generate 20 new jobs over the next five years, but it is also expected to create many indirect jobs in the logging, trucking and forest product industries.

The company also has plans for a similar plant in Dorchester County.

Company president and CEO Raine Cotton said that Southeast Renewable Energy is working diligently to get the last few steps of the project worked out, including permitting, so they can begin construction in early 2011.