Heartland Generation Announces Completion of Off-Coal Transitions at Battle River and Sheerness Generating Stations
CALGARY, AB, Nov. 9, 2021 /CNW/ - Heartland Generation Ltd., and its affiliates (collectively "Heartland Generation") is pleased to announce that it has recently completed the transition off-coal at the Battle River and Sheerness Generating Stations ("Battle River and Sheerness"), making Heartland Generation the first large-scale generator in Alberta to fully phase out coal-fired generation in favour of cleaner burning natural gas.
Heartland Generation's transition off-coal is complete nearly a decade ahead of regulatory deadlines and expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensities at Battle River and Sheerness by 45% to 50%, depending on generation factor. In addition, emissions of nitrous oxides will be reduced by a similar amount while emissions of sulphur dioxide, particulate matter and mercury will be eliminated, resulting in additional air quality improvements within Alberta.
Advancing the off-coal conversions at Battle River and Sheerness has been a priority for Heartland Generation since acquiring its asset portfolio in October 2019. Heartland Generation has invested approximately $85 million completing the transition from coal to natural gas over the past two years and plans on spending up to an additional $150 million on coal-supply termination and mine remediation, as well as long-term commitments for firm natural gas transportation to support continued safe and reliable power generation at Battle River and Sheerness.
Over the past two years, Heartland Generation has also focused on prioritizing dispatch of electricity toward portfolio assets with the lowest GHG intensities. These continued efforts, in addition to the Battle River and Sheerness coal-to-gas conversions, are anticipated to result in GHG emissions reductions of approximately 4.5 million gross tonnes (MT), or 35%, annually, across the Heartland Generation portfolio relative to the historic five-year average.
"Our transition from coal to natural gas is an important milestone in our decarbonization strategy," said Rob Dutton, Chief Executive Officer of Heartland Generation. "By transitioning to cleaner burning natural gas we significantly extend the operating lives of Battle River and Sheerness. Further, we have created a solid platform to continue the evaluation and implementation of new low carbon technologies, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen, which will further decarbonize our business and support the Province's goal of a low carbon electricity grid. We remain focused on providing safe and reliable electricity for Albertans and creating meaningful economic opportunities in the communities where we operate."
About Heartland Generation
Heartland Generation Ltd. is a privately-owned power generation company in Canada. With 10 generation facilities in Alberta and British Columbia, Heartland Generation provides more than 2,660 MW (gross) of safe and reliable electricity to industrial, commercial and residential customers and is the second largest merchant generator in Alberta. Heartland Generation is actively advancing its clean energy transition with a focus on exploring alternative, carbon neutral fuel sources to power future generations sustainably.
Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Heartland Generation is owned by ECP, a leading U.S.-based private equity firm supporting the energy transition through investments in electrification and decarbonization of infrastructure assets.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release in respect of Heartland Generation Ltd., and its affiliates (collectively "Heartland Generation") contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). In addition, all other statements and information about Heartland Generation's strategy are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements and information may be identified by words like "expects", "anticipates", "will", "estimates", "plans", "scheduled", "intends", "believes", "projects", "indicates", "could", "focus", "vision", "goal", "outlook", "proposed", "target", "objective", "continue", "should", "may" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on Heartland Generation's current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions that were made in light of information available at the time the statement was made and consider Heartland Generation's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate. Forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some that are similar to other power generation companies and some that are unique to Heartland Generation. Heartland Generation's actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by its forward-looking statements, so readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. Except as required by law, Heartland Generation disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise
SOURCE Heartland Generation
Media Inquiries: Sue Watson, Manager, Communications, [email protected], 403.828.3550
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