International Paper Riegelwood Mill — Plant Summary
- EIA Plant ID
- 54656
- Capacity
- 84 MW
- Primary Fuel
- BLQ
- Technology
- Wood/Wood Waste Biomass
- Status
- Operating
- Location
- Columbus, NC
- Operating Since
- 1976
- Generators
- 2
- Operator
- International Paper Co-Riegelwood
- Parent Company
- International Paper
- Annual Generation
- 352,301.07 MWh
- Capacity Factor
- 47.8%
- Balancing Authority
- Duke Energy Progress East
- ISO/RTO
- —
- NERC Region
- SERC
International Paper Riegelwood Mill
OperatingBlack Liquor
Ranked #1 of 3 Black Liquor plants in NC#21 of 62 nationally
84 MW Black Liquor operating in Columbus, NC — Duke Energy Progress East
EIAGEMWD
84 MW
Nameplate Capacity
2
Generators
units
Wood/Wood Waste Biomass
Technology
1976
Operating Since
Location
Coordinates
34.3533, -78.2137
County
Columbus, NC
Nearby Plants
- International Paper Vicksburg MillBlack Liquor50.5 MW · 0.0 km
- Delco FarmSolar5 MW · 3.7 km
- Trojan Solar, LLCSolar5 MW · 4.6 km
Ownership & Operator
| Field | EIA | GEM | Wikidata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | International Paper Co-Riegelwood | International Paper | — |
| Owner(s) | International Paper Co-Riegelwood | International Paper | — |
| Status | Operating | operating | — |
Ownership Chain
About
The International Paper Riegelwood Mill is a biomass-fueled power plant located in Columbus County, North Carolina. It is owned and operated by International Paper. The plant has a total capacity of 84 MW across two generators, and it primarily burns black liquor (BLQ) and wood waste. The plant began operating in 1976.
In the most recent year of reported data, the International Paper Riegelwood Mill generated 352,301 MWh of electricity, achieving a capacity factor of 47.8%. The plant operates within the Duke Energy Progress East balancing authority and the SERC NERC region. Among biomass plants in North Carolina, it ranks as the second largest of four such facilities. Nationally, it ranks 22nd out of 66 biomass plants.
Generated from EIA, GEM, and public data sources
Engineering & Generators
Grid Context
NERC Region
SERC
Balancing Authority
Duke Energy Progress East
Grid Voltage
13.8 kV
Regulatory Status
NR
Entity Type
Industrial
Sector
Industrial CHP
Generation
32.5K MWh
Latest Month
352.3K MWh
Annual Generation
47.8%
Capacity Factor
Jan 2023 – Dec 2025
Financial Data
No financial data available for this plant.
Pricing & Market Data
This plant is outside organized wholesale electricity markets (ISOs/RTOs). Nodal pricing data is not available.
News & Articles (10)Beta
Deals·m and a
International Paper sells Riegelwood mill in $1.5 billion deal
An investment firm is planning to buy one of Columbus County's largest employers. American Industrial Partners purchased International...
International Paper (seller)American Industrial Partners (buyer)
The News Reporter·7 months ago
Industry·corporate
Will IP layoffs in S.C. affect Riegelwood plant?
International Paper announced a plan last week to permanently close its Georgetown, SC, mill. “The mill will shut down in stages, with a full closure expected...
International Paper (other)
NRcolumbus.com·1 years ago
General
International Paper announces closure of South Carolina factory
The facility serves as a pulp and paper mill and will shut down fully by the end of the year, company officials announced in a press release.
localmemphis.com·1 years ago
General
International Paper announces 650 layoffs
International Paper announces approximately 650 people laid off from the company, including around 400 jobs in Memphis where the company is...
PULPAPERnews.com·1 years ago
Last updated 2026-03-26
View all 10 articles