Clean energy agreement helps to strengthen Prince George mill
PRINCE GEORGE – BC Hydro and Canfor Pulp today announced a new agreement to generate clean, renewable bioenergy at the Northwood mill in Prince George that will enhance the viability of the facility that employs about 470 people.
Canfor will invest $26 million to upgrade two turbo-generators at the mill that will add 11 megawatts of capacity to the provincial grid and provide 97 gigawatt hours of electricity supply annually – enough to power more than 8,800 homes. In addition, Canfor’s investment will allow it to reduce its supply requirements from BC Hydro by 17 gigawatt hours a year.
Quotes:
Hon. Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas:
“Investing in clean energy makes sense for B.C. industry. We are in a unique position in B.C., where we can supplement our supply of hydro-electricity with clean biomass energy that also benefits our forestry sector.”
Hon. Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training:
“Thanks to BC Hydro and Canfor’s creativity and commitment to clean energy and energy conservation, we are able to recognize a unique agreement today: one that supports sustainable energy while also helping to sustain jobs.”
Hon. Shirley Bond, MLA, Prince George-Valemount:
“I welcome this agreement as great news for our region. Building on partnerships in our energy and forest sectors is key to creating and keeping good, quality jobs in B.C. The agreement provides a secondary revenue stream for the mill while also offering significant operating cost reductions through energy conservation.”
Brett Robinson, President, Canfor Pulp:
"With the previous resources provided by Natural Resources Canada and the BC Hydro Integrated Power Offer, this project is the next phase of our plan to demonstrate Canfor Pulp’s continued commitment to maximizing the energy efficiency at our operations and support incremental generation of clean, renewable power.”
Facts:
- The agreement was signed under BC Hydro’s Integrated Power Offer: a program for pulp and paper customers that encouraged them to generate additional clean and renewable energy and invest in demand-side management projects.
- BC Hydro has signed Integrated Power Offer contracts with six customers, moving closer to its goal of obtaining 1,200 gigawatt hours of energy a year through the program.
- The Northwood turbine upgrade project is expected to be in-service by March 2014.
- BC Hydro has an existing electricity purchase agreement with Canfor for a facility at its Prince George Pulp and Paper Mill. The agreement was signed in early 2009 under the first phase of BC Hydro’s Bioenergy Call for Power and provides for 70 gigawatt hours of electricity annually.
About BC Hydro
BC Hydro has been providing clean, reliable power to British Columbians for more than 50 years while maintaining among the lowest rates in North America. BC Hydro is a provincial Crown corporation that serves 1.9 million customers and invests in the electrical system and in energy conservation to deliver a safe and reliable supply of electricity for today’s customers and for generations to come.
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For more information please contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
p. 604.928.6468
w. bchydro.com/media