These two biomass power plants were originally commissioned in 1987 and 1991 respectively. One was originally designed to burn straw, agricultural waste, and wood residue using a travelling grate furnace, while the second plant has two multiple-hearth furnaces designed to incinerate cattle manure. Each plant produced about 170,000 lb/h of 900 psi steam and generated about 16 MW of electrical power via condensing steam turbines. Due to commercial issues with fuel supplies and power sales, both plants have been dormant for a number of years.

Ausenco Sandwell conducted a due diligence review for a prospective purchaser of the plants and evaluated their current condition, operating history, and technical and environmental requirements for returning to commercial service. The proposed new fuel source for each plant is a mixture of biomass and biosolids (sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants).

Following the completion of the due diligence phase, Ausenco Sandwell continued on with a feasibility study and definition engineering for the required work. This included the general plant refurbishment tasks, as well as the changes needed to upgrade the materials handling, boiler, acid gas scrubber, baghouse, non-selective catalytic reduction (NSCR), electrical and control systems to accommodate the new fuel source.

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