Alberta Index - ENERGY: TransAlta adds another 66 MW to Alberta power grid with wind farm expansion

ENERGY: TransAlta adds another 66 MW to Alberta power grid with wind farm expansion

(AlbertaIndex, May 29, Thursday) --- Power company TransAlta Corporation has announced a 66-megawatt (MW) expansion of its Summerview wind farm located in southern Alberta near Pincher Creek.
Construction of this $123 million second phase will start in the second quarter of 2009 with commercial operations expected to begin in the first quarter of 2010.

TransAlta said that upon completion, the Summerview site will have a total installed capacity of 136 MW and will provide on average a total of 395,000 megawatt hours per year- enough electricity to meet the annual needs of approximately 55,000 homes, while offsetting 257,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

“Albertans have a growing need for new electricity supply. The expansion of Summerview helps to meet this demand, while minimizing the environmental impact of new generation,” said Steve Snyder, TransAlta’s President and CEO.

“Our experience in the development and construction of wind projects allows us to expand our wind capacity at costs below the Canadian average. We have identified the potential to develop an additional 500MW of wind generation in southern Alberta over the next five years. Our ability to execute on these future opportunities is largely dependent on the addition of new transmission capacity within the province.”

The Summerview expansion will be located adjacent to the original site and will include 22, three-MW, V90 Vestas wind turbines. Delivery of the turbines and construction are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2009.

TransAlta will serve as its own general contractor and will continue to work with local firms during construction. The project is subject to provincial regulatory and environmental approvals as well as municipal land use permitting.

TransAlta said its wind power investment in the Pincher Creek area will continue to increase the overall economic benefits for the region.

Did you enjoy this article? Please share it!

Main Menu

Polls

Led by Alberta, real estate prices are tumbling across Canada. How worried should we be?

	Very worried. The collapse of the real estate market will soon lead to other economic problems.
	Concerned, but not worried. Our economy is in good shape without the credit woes of the US.

Would Alberta be better off with a Harper-led majority government?

	Yes. He's pro-oil, pro-growth and pro-business.
	No. He will find new ways to hurt the oil industry to follow on his income trust tax policy.
	Neutral. He doesn't have many new ideas to drastically help or harm Alberta.

Newsletter Signup

Webcasts

		May 27 2008: Simon Fraser University - Dr Anthony Perl (1)

		June 13 2008: University of Calgary - Dr Roberto Aguilera (2)

		June 13 2008: University of Calgary - Dr Roberto Aguilera (1)

		June 6 2008: Alberta Chambers of Commerce - Ken Kobly (1)

All Archived Webcasts...

E-Mail:
First Name:
Last Name: