Cleco Corp. Receives 84th Annual Edison Award for Madison 3 Effort
June 13 2011 - 11:41AM
Marketwired
Cleco Corp. (NYSE: CNL) today received the 84th Annual Edison
Award, the electric utility industry's most prestigious honor, for
the company's innovative approach to diversifying its generation
fuel mix with the deployment of its new Madison 3 plant. Together
with international award winners AES Philippines and Tohoku
Electric Power Company, Cleco is being recognized for
"distinguished leadership, innovation and contribution to the
advancement of the electric industry for the benefit of all."
Cleco Corp. was selected from a field of four finalists by a
judging panel comprised of outgoing EEI Chairman and Xcel Energy
Chairman and CEO Richard C. Kelly and retired senior executives
from the electric utility industry.
"Cleco showed terrific foresight and leadership in the face of
numerous challenges unique to its region and resources mix," said
EEI President Thomas R. Kuhn. "The company's decisive and
innovative approach to bringing on the Madison 3 plant is an
excellent example of our industry's resourcefulness and commitment
to keeping the lights on."
Cleco -- which operates four plants and serves approximately
279,000 customers in central Louisiana -- traditionally has relied
on natural gas resources for electricity generation. In 2003, Cleco
began its planning for a generation strategy and fuel portfolio
that would help keep prices low for customers and increase
reliability. As Hurricane Katrina placed strain on the supply and
price of natural gas for energy providers in the region, the
company had already committed to plans for the new unit.
The result is the new Madison 3 plant, which utilizes two
circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) boilers to power the steam turbine
generator. The CFBs -- which were among the first installed in the
United States and today are two of the largest in operation in
North America -- are designed to burn biomass, petroleum coke and
other solid fuels at a temperature low enough to ensure a 50-70
percent reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and 90 percent
less sulfur dioxide emissions during combustion. The more efficient
use of solid fuels afforded by the CFBs have allowed Cleco to reach
a 50/50 balance of solid fuels to natural gas in its generation
portfolio, compared to 70 percent reliance on natural gas prior to
the opening of Madison 3.
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of U.S.
shareholder-owned electric companies. Our members serve 95 percent
of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the
industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S.
electric power industry. We also have more than 65 International
electric companies as Affiliate members, and more than 170 industry
suppliers and related organizations as Associate members.
Editor's Note: Photos are available. If you
would like a photo, please contact Robbyn Cooper at (318)
484-7136.
Contact: Robbyn Cooper (318) 484-7136
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