Renewable Energy & Environment

Renewable Energy and Environment is a high-wage, high-growth sector for the region. A significant market growth rate is forecast for this sector as the U.S. struggles with energy independence and as Florida assumes leadership in this arena.

Northwest Florida has what is considered to be the world’s largest plantation-style pine forests. Wood is gaining notoriety as a renewable source of bio-fuels for both electric power generation and as a replacement for petroleum-based products. A revitalization of the timber industry is a much-anticipated opportunity for Northwest Florida’s renewable energy strategy. In 2007, Green Circle Bio Energy built the world’s largest and most technologically advanced wood pellet facility in Jackson County, a rural county in Northwest Florida. Due to its soil conditions and growth cycle, Northwest Florida was identified as one of two ideal locations for growing wood. Green Circle Bio Energy’s wood pellets are shipped to Europe through the port of Panama City and used as a coal substitute to reduce carbon emissions. In addition to wood, a variety of feedstocks, or sources that fuel energy development, are being considered in Northwest Florida.

Florida State University’s High Performance Materials Institute (HPMI) plays yet another important role in Northwest Florida’s target industries. With HPMI’s focus on developing technology to manufacture materials that are strong, lighter, multifunctional and affordable, the institution is working to become the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center focused on developing wind turbine blades, a product with direct energy impact. Additionally, Pensacola is home to GE Wind Energy, GE's national manufacturing center for wind-powered generators and hubs.

The region also has significant assets in the subsectors of environmental research and management, power generation and technology, and biomass. This cluster offers opportunities for employment growth in both rural and urban areas of the region and is expected to be a catalyst for economic development and transformation.

Download the final report presentation and final report of the Alternative Energy Feasibility Study for Northwest Florida.

“Florida’s Great Northwest has also established a green energy park to capitalize on the thrust toward innovative, renewable energy production. The green energy park provides infrastructure ideal for the renewable energy and fuels industry as well as complementary downstream businesses.

Download the Green Energy Park brochure.”