OPG announces biomass fuel suppliers for Atikokan project
November 23, 2012
By Ontario Power Generation
November 23, 2012, Toronto, ON – Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced contracts to supply a total of 90,000 tonnes of biomass wood pellets to fuel the Atikokan Generating Station in Northwestern Ontario.
Atikokan Renewable Fuels has been awarded a contract for the supply of 45,000 tonnes of biomass wood pellets, while Resolute Forest Products Canada will supply the same amount from a wood pellets plant they plan to build adjacent to their Thunder Bay sawmill.
According to OPG, this will make a significant economic contribution to northwestern Ontario and help supply the much-needed electricity required to position the community and the region for the anticipated mining expansion. Over 150 new jobs will be created through the wood pellet supply for the Atikokan GS.
Ensuring wood pellets were sourced from suppliers who practice sustainable forestry was part of OPG’s evaluation criteria, according to a press release.
As well, OPG is issuing a Request for Indicative Pricing (RFIP) for transportation of the wood pellets by truck from the fuel suppliers to the Atikokan GS.
With over 200 MW of generating capacity, Atikokan GS will be the largest capacity 100 per cent biomass fuelled plant in North America and will generate renewable, dispatchable, peak capacity power. The conversion of the station from coal to biomass wood pellets will create about 200 construction jobs and help to protect existing jobs at the plant.
Read more about the Atikokan conversion project in the upcoming January/February issue of Canadian Biomass, available soon.
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