Verso Paper has launched a $40m biomass power project at its mill in Bucksport, Maine, US.

The project will provide a 43% increase in thermal energy production from biomass at the mill and generate additional power to serve 30,000 Maine households.

The firm will replace coal with biomass in a boiler and install a new 25MW turbine generator for the project.

The Bucksport Renewable Energy Project is scheduled to begin construction before the end of the year.