Feasibility study underway for new wood pellet plant in the Miramichi

VANCOUVER (Scrap Monster): The success of pre-evaluation study for the new wood pellet plant in the Miramichi has prompted the officials to go ahead with a detailed feasibility study on the same. Northern Energy Solutions under the leadership of forestry veteran Ross Creelman plans to invest $300,000 to $400,000 on the study.

The Miramichi plant will have a production capacity of approximately 200,000 tonnes of pellets per annum. The pellets from the plant would be used as fuel in place of coal in industrial energy plants. According to Creelman, the plant will focus mainly on exports to overseas plants. Once operational, the plant will employ around 25 engineering and technical staff. It will also provide jobs in the woods to as many as 75 people.

The Department of Natural Resources has issued a letter of intent to supply 378,000 cubic metres of softwood from Region 3. The New Brunswick province will provide 200,000 cubic metres of pulpwood, if the plant is constructed in Miramichi. Furthermore, the provincial government extended full support to the new investment in the region as it will create additional forestry jobs to benefit the community. Natural Resources Minister Paul Robichaud announced that they look forward to the result of the study.

According to company sources, the feasibility study is expected to take nearly eight months to get completed.