Conversion of Atikokan plant well underway
April 10, 2013
By Atikokan Progress
April 10, 2013, Atikokan, ON – Over 150 extra workers are now on site at the Atikokan Thermal Generating Station as the project to convert it from coal to biomass gets into full swing.
The shell of the transfer tower, one of three major structural additions to the site, has risen some six storeys, and re-purposing of the coal-handling facilities inside the plant is well under way.
One of the single most critical components of the project, the erection of the two 43-metre tall bio-fuel storage silos, will get underway at the end of the month. FWS Group from Winnipeg will use slipform construction to build the silos – the same process that was used in early 1980s to build the main stack and fly ash silo at the plant.
ATGS plant manager Brent Boyko told the Atikokan Progress last week that regular staff at the plant are intimately involved with all the work now going on. They serve as contract monitors and administrators, and are working closely with the contractors on quality control. Their knowledge of, and familiarity with, the plant are essential in the work to adapt the facility to the new fuel.
“It’s actually far more challenging to retrofit a plant that to open a new one,” said Boyko.
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