Domtar starts up bio-fueled steam turbine generator at Bennettsville mill in SC in $40M project

MONTREAL, Jan. 20, 2011 (CNW) - Domtar Corporation celebrated the start-up of its newly installed 50 megawatt bio-fueled steam turbine generator at its Marlboro (Bennettsville) mill in South Carolina today. Domtar invested approximately $40 million in 2010 to complete this project. Now fully operational, the new turbine has made the mill more energy efficient.

Domtar has entered into a 15-year agreement with Santee Cooper, South Carolina's state-owned electric company, for the purchase of up to 50 megawatts of green power. The renewable energy generated by the turbine would be enough to power roughly 31,000 South Carolina homes.

Domtar would like to recognize the State of South Carolina for the significant role it has played in the success of this project. To celebrate the start-up, Domtar organized a "breaker-throw" event at the mill this morning, which included the participation of several State dignitaries as well as Domtar executives.

Domtar has been long committed to sustainable business practices and has implemented energy efficiency programs at all of its facilities to help reduce the impact of its operations on the environment. Since 2002, Domtar's increased reliance on lower-emitting biomass as a fuel source has resulted in a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity. Domtar's self-generation of electricity is at approximately 67%, which represents a 26% increase since 2002. Domtar's use of renewable energy stands at approximately 74% of total energy use, which represents an 18% increase since 2002.