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ENERGY: ENMAX to build 1,200 MW power station in southern Alberta

        (AlbertaIndex, April 27, Friday) --- ENMAX Energy has announced plans to build a major generation plant in an undisclosed site in southern Alberta to serve its growing customer base. The new power plant will provide enough electricity for about two thirds of Calgary’s requirements.

        Its location is being kept confidential for now as alternatives are being evaluated, said the province’s leading electricity retailer.
        CEO Gary Holden said the plant will use the best available gas technology and would produce 50% less CO2 than current coal plants.
       
He said: “We need to secure lower cost sources of new electricity for our EasyMax customers when they come to renew their contracts. We have a responsibility to continue to seek the best overall resources for our customer base.
        “Our vision is that our customers will have access to state-of-the-art, environmentally sensitive generation across the province that will optimize existing infrastructure.This plant will become the template for future plants in Alberta because it is cleaner and can be located closer to customers.”
        ENMAX predicts Alberta will need additional capacity of up to 3,800 MWs over the next 10 years. The company said most of the new capacity will be wind, hydro or clean burning fuel situated close to the customer, such as this plant.
        The plant’s first phase can be built within three years, subject to finalizing construction contracts and regulatory matters. ENMAX said the technology can be built quickly as most of the equipment is off-the-shelf.
        This project will present solutions to several existing issues:
1.    It will help firm up the southern transmission grid, which will contribute greatly to the development of additional wind farms, by assisting in overcoming the challenge of intermittent production.
2.    It will open the door for greater export capacity and more wind generation overall.
3.    It will have a dramatic impact in reducing electricity line losses, bringing benefits to all Albertans.
4.    It will go a long way to meeting the province’s CO2 intensity targets for the electricity sector.
        ENMAX said: “Our long term plan is to have 100% of our customers’ needs matched by renewable energy, cogeneration or the best available clean coal or gas technology by the time current power purchase agreements are terminated. This project is a very important step in that direction.”


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