Fibrominn

fibrominn power plant logo

Benson, Minnesota became home to the United States’ first operating poultry litter plant, the Fibrominn Biomass Power Plant, in October 2007. The cutting-edge technology was pursued by Swift County since the late 1990’s and Benson was proudly chosen as the site of the future plant. Fibrominn was pioneered and is operated by Fibrowatt LLC, a world class expert in poultry waste power plants, and is owned by ContourGlobal. Development officially began in Benson in 2000 and Fibrominn began construction in December 2004. The 62 megawatt power plant that combusts more than 700,000 tons of litter and biomass annually. This is enough renewable energy to provide approximately 40,000 homes with power! Today, the Benson community and Fibrominn serve as an outstanding representation of a successful commitment to renewable energy and a greener future.

Overview

  • First poultry litter-fueled power plant in the U.S.
  • Began operating in mid-2007
  • Located on a 77-acre site on the south side of Highway 12, two miles west of Benson in west central Minnesota
  • Uses more than 500,000 tons of poultry litter annually, as well as other biomass
  • Majority of the fuel is litter supplied by Minnesota turkey growers

Fibrominn Project Video

Electricity

  • 62 megawatt power plant that produces enough electricity to serve approximately 40,000 homes
  • Electricity is sold to Xcel Energy

Economic impact

  • Created 100 full-time jobs – 30 on site, 60 in litter transportation, and 10 at the ash fertlizer plant
  • Provided several hundred construction-related jobs over a two-and-a-half year period
  • Will spend millions of dollars on local purchases annually

More Information

Fibrominn, LLC

  • Fibrominn, LLC
  • 900 Industry Drive
  • PO Box 265
  • Benson, MN 56215
  • Telephone: (320) 843-9013
  • Fax: (320) 843-9014

Citzens Advisory Panel

A Citizens Advisory Panel was established in 2001 to represent the Benson community and to provide public input during the development, construction and operation of Fibrominn. The panel meets regularly and acts as a liaison between Fibrominn and the community to address citizen’s questions and comments about Fibrominn. Some of the issues that have been addressed are truck traffic, odor, facility layout, and air emissions.

Visit the Citizens Advisory Panel website (off-site link).