CALGARY, AB, Dec. 29, 2021 /CNW/ - TransAlta Corporation
(TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) ("TransAlta" or the "Company") announced
today that it has completed the last of three planned coal-to-gas
conversions ("CTG") at its Alberta Thermal power generation
facilities near Wabamun,
Alberta.
"The full conversion of Keephills Unit 3 ("KH3") from thermal
coal to natural gas is a significant milestone for TransAlta in its
transition off coal. We are pleased to have completed this
important step, nine years ahead of the government target," said
John Kousinioris, President and CEO
of TransAlta. "Our coal transition is among the most meaningful
carbon emissions reduction achievements in Canadian history."
"Converting to natural gas from coal maintains the current
generation capacity of KH3 and reduces our CO2 emissions by almost
50 per cent from approximately 0.86 tonnes CO2e per MWh
to approximately 0.43 tonnes CO2e per MWh," Mr.
Kousinioris added. "This not only highlights TransAlta's continued
commitment to meet Alberta's need
for safe, reliable and low-cost electricity but also delivers a
step-change reduction in the emissions from our converted
units."
The $29 million investment in the
KH3 conversion plus another $48
million for gas infrastructure and maintenance projects
brought a significant boost to the local economy, and at its peak
provided nearly 600 construction jobs. Since 2019, TransAlta has
invested $295 million in its CTG
program that also included conversion of Sundance Unit 6 (Q1-2021),
conversion of Keephills Unit 2 (Q3-2021), conversion of Sheerness
Units 1 and 2, plus construction of new high-volume gas delivery
infrastructure.
Overall, the converted units generate nearly 50 per cent fewer
CO2 emissions fueled by natural gas compared to coal.
This project is a significant achievement for TransAlta towards its
target to reduce 60 per cent, or 19.7 million tonnes, of annual
greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 over 2015 levels and achieve
carbon neutrality by 2050. By meeting its 2030 target, TransAlta's
performance will exceed Canada's
national Paris Agreement target of 40-45 per cent reduction by
2030. The completed conversions will also contribute to the goals
of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, which TransAlta joined at the
26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties
(COP26).
With successful completion of the KH3 conversion and the planned
closure of the Highvale coal mine effective December 31, 2021, TransAlta's thermal facilities
in Alberta will have been fully
transitioned to 100 per cent natural gas operation. In
aggregate, TransAlta has retired 3,794 MW of coal-fired generation
capacity since 2018 while converting 1,659 MW to cleaner burning
natural gas.
This achievement, coupled with TransAlta's growing and
diversified generating portfolio, including hydro, wind, solar and
battery assets, helps position TransAlta to be a highly competitive
provider of reliable, low and zero-emitting electricity for
customers in Canada, the United States, and Australia.
TransAlta Thermal Facility Status Summary (near Wabamun Lake,
Alberta)
|
Unit
|
Unit
MCR
(MW
net)
|
Current
Status
|
|
Sundance Unit
1
|
280
|
Retired Dec. 31,
2017
|
|
Sundance Unit
2
|
280
|
Retired July 31,
2018
|
|
Sundance Unit
3
|
368
|
Retired July 31,
2020
|
|
Sundance Unit
4
|
406
|
Fueled only on
natural gas Jan. 1 to Mar. 31,
2022. Scheduled to retire April 1, 2022.
|
|
Sundance Unit
5
|
406
|
Retired Nov. 1,
2021
|
|
Sundance Unit
6
|
401
|
Converted to natural
gas Feb. 1, 2021
|
|
Keephills Unit
1
|
395
|
Scheduled to retire
Dec. 31, 2021
|
|
Keephills Unit
2
|
395
|
Converted to natural
gas July 19, 2021
|
|
Keephills Unit
3
|
463
|
Converted to natural
gas Dec. 29, 2021
|
|
Sheerness Unit
1
|
200
|
Converted to natural
gas March 31, 2021
|
|
Sheerness Unit
2
|
200
|
Converted to natural
gas April 4, 2020
|
|
Highvale
Mine
|
Ending mining
operations Dec. 31, 2021. Will begin full mine
reclamation effective Jan. 1, 2022.
|
|
About
TransAlta:
|
|
TransAlta owns,
operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power
generation assets in Canada, the United States and Australia with a
focus on long-term shareholder value. TransAlta provides
municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility
customers with clean, affordable, energy efficient and reliable
power. Today, TransAlta is one of Canada's largest producers of
wind power and Alberta's largest producer of hydro-electric power.
For over 100 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a
proud community-member where its employees work and live. TransAlta
aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development
Goals.
|
|
|
For more
information about TransAlta, visit its website at
transalta.com.
|
|
Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-looking Information:
|
|
This news release
contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable Canadian securities laws, and "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of applicable United States
securities laws, including the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to herein as
"forward-looking statements"). In some cases, forward-looking
statements can be identified by terminology such as "continue",
"will", "develop", "goal", "target" and similar expressions
suggesting future events or future performance. More particularly,
and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking
statements and information relating to: the Company's target of
reducing 60 per cent, or 19.7 million tonnes, of annual greenhouse
gas emission by 2030 over 2015 levels and achieving carbon
neutrality by 2050, the Company's expected performance exceeding
Canada's national Paris Agreement target, the planned closure of
the Highvale coal mine effective December 31, 2021 and the
resulting full transition of the Company's thermal facilities in
Alberta to 100 per cent natural gas operation, and the expected
timing of the retirement of Keephills Unit 1 and the full
retirement of Sundance Unit 4. The forward-looking
statements contained in this news release are based on current
expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard
to the Company's experience and its perception of historical
trends, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations,
estimates, projections and assumptions relating to the extent of
regulations pertaining to COVID-19 not becoming significantly more
onerous and current conditions and expected future developments.
These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual performance, events or results to differ
materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking
statements. Some of the factors that could cause such differences
include: the effects of weather catastrophes and public health
crises, including COVID-19; labour availability; disruptions to the
Company's supply chains; failure to obtain necessary regulatory
approvals in a timely fashion, or at all; and other risks and
uncertainties discussed in the Company's materials filed with the
securities regulatory authorities from time to time and as also set
forth in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and
Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed
under the Company's profile with the Canadian securities regulators
on www.sedar.com and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on
www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which reflect TransAlta's
expectations only as of the date of this news release. TransAlta
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise these
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by
law.
|
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SOURCE TransAlta Corporation