GDF SUEZ and its subsidiary Electrabel have opened the new Rodenhuize biomass power station in Belgium.

The company invested €125m for the conversion of the coal-fired unit at the power station into a 100% biomass unit.

The new plant can meet the power needs of 320,000 households and will also reduce 1.2 million tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Canada-based Pacific BioEnergy will provide 225,000t of biomass a year for the facility, under a long-term contract signed with Electrabel.

The plant is jointly owned by Electrabel with a 73% stake and Ackermans & van Haaren with the remaining 27% interest.