Mississippi’s most expensive construction project might finally be closer to completion.
The Kemper Project, with capital costs at nearly $7 billon in nearby Kemper County, is a groundbreaking clean coal power plant. The plant is designed to convert lignite coal mined on site into synthesis gas and remove 65 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions, but it is more than three years behind schedule and more than $5 billion over its expected construction costs.
Officials are now saying that electricity is finally being generated in the second gasifier, which is a huge milestone for the plant.
The company announced earlier this month it was completing maintenance on the plant’s first gasifier, which followed six weeks of successful syngas production including generation of the plant’s first electricity using syngas. That gasifier began generating electricity on Oct. 12.
The gasifiers run on synthesis gas, called syngas, which is made from lignite, a kind of coal.
The Kemper Project was a key piece to President Barrack Obama’s green initiative, but massive setbacks to the new technology has caused constant delays. Officials with the project are now saying that the plant is expected to be fully operational by Dec. 31.
The big thing about this project is that it allows for the production of cleaner energy through the use of integrated gasification combined cycle and carbon capture technologies. Because the activities involved with an IGCC plant involve minimal water consumption, these processes will not harm the water sources of the area. A study conducted by Southern Company states that the Kemper Project “is a large undertaking with high visibility and will help set the stage for future coal-based power generation.” The facility will be a “zero” liquid discharge facility.
Coal is still the largest energy source in the United States and the world, mainly due to its cheapness. It is by far cheaper than nuclear, natural gas and oil. Hydroelectricity is slightly cheaper; however, public outcry has greatly limited any new hydro facilities being created. In 2015, coal was used for about 33 percent of the 4 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity generated in the United States.
Truthfully, I am extremely excited to see that this project might finally be to its end point. The technology is outstanding and could end up revolutionizing the power industry and also help limit greenhouse gasses that have led to Global Warming.
Is $7 billion a big pill to swallow, yes. However, when we compare it to a Nuclear Power Plant that can cost up to $9 billion it isn’t so bad.
The future of sustainable energy is in coal and nuclear and this may just be a small price to pay to help cure America’s energy crisis.
Joseph Brown is the editor and publisher of The Star-Herald. He can be reached at jbrown@starherald.net
