12 February 2009 -- Cleco Power LLC, a unit of Cleco Corp., said its $1 billion, 600 MW coal-fired Rodemacher 3 unit is in service and producing power.

The Shaw Group Inc. met provisional performance guarantees to achieve commercial operation and Cleco accepted control of the unit. Shaw will remain on site to address miscellaneous items as well as to continue optimizing unit operation to meet performance guarantees.

The generating unit will use circulating fluidized-bed technology that can accommodate multiple solid fuels to generate power. Initially petroleum coke, an oil refining byproduct, will fuel the unit. The plant's technology also allows for renewable products like biomass as fuel. Cleco is currently researching woody biomass as a potential fuel since the new facility is in a timber-rich area.

Cleco Corp. is a regional energy company based in Pineville, La. It operates a regulated electric utility company that serves about 276,000 customers across Louisiana. Cleco also operates a wholesale energy business with approximately 1,350 MW of nameplate generating capacity, which includes Cleco Power's pending acquisition of 580 MW of Acadia Power Station.