Turkey's biggest biomass-based electricity generation plant has received pre-licensing, the country's energy watchdog announced, Thursday.
The plant is expected to have a capacity of 30 megawatts and will be the largest capacity biomass plant in the country, Turkish Energy Regulatory Market (EMRA) said.
Mutlular Enerji will construct the biomass plant in Balikesir, located in the western region of Marmara.
Paddy stems from rice fields will be the main element used to generate electricity. Other agricultural waste including corn stalk, livestock manure and forest residue will also be utilized as fuel for the plant.
The waste will be burned and the ensuing steam will turn the turbines to generate electricity.
The project is part of the Mutlular Enerji Company’s $100 million investment in the energy sector. The biomass plant is expected to be active in the second half of 2016 when the necessary permits are complete.
As of June 2015, EMRA gave licensing and pre-licensing for biomass plants totaling 417 megawatts in capacity and 203 megawatts of this is currently active.
Writing by Zeynep Beyza Karabay
Reporting by Muhsin Baris Tiryakioglu
Anadolu Agency
zeynpe.karabay@aa.com.tr