The provincial government is investing more than 550-million dollars to add an additional 200 megawatts (MW) of natural gas generation capabilities at Saskatoon’s Queen Elizabeth Power Station.
Three 35 MW natural gas turbines, six steam generators and a steam turbine designed to produce 95 MW of power will be added to the power plant, enough electricity to power two-hundred thousand homes.
“In Saskatchewan today we have more people, more businesses, more industry and more jobs,” Rob Norris, the Minister responsible for SaskPower, said in making the announcement.
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“We are taking the necessary steps to ensure the electricity is there to power our growing province, and our growing economy.”
When completed, total capacity at the plant will increase to 630 MW, the second highest generating capacity for a power station in the province.
The project is also designed to reduce the impact generating electricity has on the environment.
“These natural gas generating units will emit half the carbon dioxide of coal-fired generators, as well as less sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and mercury,” said SaskPower president Robert Watson. “Emissions will be reduced even further because the operation will utilize waste heat to generate electricity rather than venting it to the atmosphere.”
Last year, three new natural gas generating units were commissioned at the power station, boasting output to 430 MW.
The new generators are expected to begin operation in 2015.
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