New turbine powers up Alberta

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - A new 43.4-megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired turbine is now in operation at EPCOR's Clover Bar Energy Centre, helping to meet Alberta's growing demand for electricity.

"EPCOR is committed to providing competitively priced, safe, reliable power to Albertans," said Jim Oosterbaan, Senior Vice-President, EPCOR Alberta. "The Clover Bar Energy Centre is delivering a new source of electricity to Alberta's power grid at a time of much-needed supply."

In January 2008, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) reported that provincial demand for electricity had reached an all time high. According to AESO, electricity consumption in Alberta has grown by 29% since 2000 with a year over year average load growth of 3.2% each year for the last five years.

"The new unit can power up from standstill to full load in ten minutes," Oosterbaan added. "This gives EPCOR the flexibility to respond to sudden changes in supply and demand, including demand peaks that occur during hot and cold weather."

The General Electric LM 6000 unit now in operation is the first of three new turbines being installed at Clover Bar. The net capacity upon completion will be 243.4 MW. The installation of two 100 MW General Electric LMS 100 units is planned for completion in 2010.

"The new high-efficiency units use 85% less water per megawatt hour (MWh) than the four turbines in the old Clover Bar plant," said Oosterbaan.

"Combined, the new turbines will also produce about 70% less nitrogen oxides per MWh of electricity generated at full capacity, compared to the old plant."

The former Clover Bar Generating Station, originally installed in the 1960s and 1970s, is in the process of being decommissioned by EPCOR.