Hitachi joins Carbon Capture and Sequestration Demo Project

REGINA, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - The Saskatchewan economy will benefit from long-term capital investment and additional employment opportunities with today's announcement that Hitachi Canada has been selected to supply the steam turbine for the SaskPower Boundary Dam Integrated Carbon Capture and Sequestration Demonstration Project. The Boundary Dam project is one of the world's first and largest. It will determine the technical, economic and environmental performance of new technology.

"SaskPower's relationship with Hitachi goes back 40 years, and includes work on coal, natural gas and wind generation technologies," Premier Brad Wall said. "This new relationship has the potential to create long term benefits, like new jobs from the construction and operation of the facility, not to mention royalties from coal and petroleum production and the commercialization of new technology."

"Hitachi Canadian Industries was established in Saskatoon in 1988, and some of the work on this steam turbine will take place there," Minister responsible for SaskPower Bill Boyd said. "Innovation is a high priority for this government and the fact that work on this world-leading project will be done in Saskatchewan by Saskatchewan people shows that it's working."

The Boundary Dam Integrated Carbon Capture and Sequestration Demonstration Project would transform an aging unit at Boundary Dam Power Station near Estevan into a reliable, long-term producer of clean baseload electricity, while enhancing provincial oil production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A decision on whether to proceed with the Boundary Dam project will be made by the end of 2010.

"This year marks the 100th anniversary of Hitachi, which includes a relationship of more than 40 years with SaskPower and the people of Saskatchewan," Hitachi Canada Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Howard Shearer said. "Innovative partnerships between utilities and technology suppliers are critical to the successful commercialization of low carbon energy options. In this regard, SaskPower is an excellent partner for such an important technology initiative."

In 2009 SaskPower invited vendors from around the world to participate in a two-stage procurement process. The first stage was used to identify the most promising proposals, with more detailed proposals developed during the second stage. Hitachi Canada was selected following the evaluation process.

"This is an important development for SaskPower and the entire industry because it is expected to be the first steam turbine in the world designed to fully integrate a coal-fired power plant with carbon capture," SaskPower vice-president, Integrated Carbon Capture and Sequestration Mike Monea said. "It is also another important step as we develop our business case for this project."

For further information: James Parker, SaskPower, Regina, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected], Cell: [phone]