South Korean biomass-fueled power plant moves ahead with expansion

Plant is a joint venture with Oman. GS EPS Company has officially inaugurated phase three of its expansion plan, taking the total production capacity of its biomass-fueled power plant at Dangjin to 1,500 MW. The firm is a JV between Oman Oil Company, which holds 30%, and South Korean firm GS Holdings that owns the remaining 70%. Phase 1 of the plant has a capacity of 538 MW and was commissioned in 2001 while Phase 2 (550 MW capacity) was commissioned in 2008. Phase 3 has already begun. The Dangjin plant will become one of Asia’s largest biomass plants and will use a mix of agricultural and associated byproducts. The plant will be capable of generating 2,300 MW of electricity including 100 MW of biomass production to the three existing LNG fired combined cycle power plants. It is expected to be completed in 2015. GS EPS also owns and operates an LNG-fired combined cycle power plant and ancillary facilities in Pyongtaek. The plant sells its electricity to state-owned electricity utility Korea Electric Power Company.