MONTREAL, Nov. 16, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Rio Tinto Alcan inaugurates its new high-efficiency turbine at the Shipshaw hydropower plant in Saguenay, Quebec. The new turbine unit has an installed capacity of 225 megawatts.
"The Shipshaw hydropower plant is a key component of the Rio Tinto Alcan Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean hydroelectric power network. In addition to more efficient water usage, the new turbine confirms a key objective for Rio Tinto Alcan and for Quebec's aluminium industry: to add value to clean, renewable energy in Quebec. This is one element that has helped Quebec grow to become the fourth largest aluminium producers in the world," emphasized Jean Simon, president and chief executive officer, Rio Tinto Alcan Primary Metal. "This investment demonstrates our commitment to the Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean region. Over the past four years, Rio Tinto Alcan has invested in various projects, including the Arvida Smelter, AP60 Technology Centre, and the new high-efficiency turbine at Shipshaw."
Étienne Jacques, chief operating officer, Rio Tinto Alcan Primary Metal, North America, added: "The commissioning of this turbine is a doorway to the future and clearly underscores the importance of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region and Quebec for Rio Tinto Alcan. Personally, I am extremely proud to see ideas turned into concrete projects. Today, we are celebrating the ingenuity of the women and men who played a part in the achievement of this major hydropower project for the region."
Launched in October 2008, the project required the participation of numerous Quebec and regional contractors. Ninety percent of the project's economic spinoffs stayed in Quebec. Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean for its part earned 60 percent of the spinoffs.
Over the last few years, the work has consisted of adding a 13th turbine unit with a capacity of 225 MW, bringing the total output of the Shipshaw Powerhouse to 1,145 MW. The commissioning of the 13th turbine unit thus increases Rio Tinto Alcan's total installed capacity in Quebec from 2,900 to 3,125 megawatts.
The inauguration took place in front of 200 regional community and political representatives, business leaders, and industry partners.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.
Video with caption: "Shipshaw - New 13th turbine unit". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20121116_C8823_VIDEO_EN_20794.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20121116_C8823_PHOTO_EN_20794.jpg&clientName=RIO%20TINTO%20ALCAN%20%2D%20EN&caption=Shipshaw%20%2D%20New%2013th%20turbine%20unit&title=RIO%20TINTO%20ALCAN%20%2D%20EN%20%2D%20Rio%20Tinto%20Alcan%20inaugurates%20the%20completion%20of%20the%20Shipshaw%20powerhouse%20project%20in%20Saguenay%2C%20Quebec&headline=Rio%20Tinto%20Alcan%20inaugurates%20the%20completion%20of%20the%20Shipshaw%20powerhouse%20project%20in%20Saguenay%2C%20Quebec
Image with caption: "Aerial view of the Shipshaw hydropower plant, Saguenay, Québec, July 2012 (CNW Group/RIO TINTO ALCAN - EN)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121116_C8823_PHOTO_EN_20788.jpg
Image with caption: "Aerial view of the Shipshaw hydropower plant, Saguenay, Québec, July 2012 (CNW Group/RIO TINTO ALCAN - EN)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121116_C8823_PHOTO_EN_20784.jpg
Image with caption: "13th Turbine Shipshaw hydropower plant, Saguenay, Québec (CNW Group/RIO TINTO ALCAN - EN)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121116_C8823_PHOTO_EN_20782.jpg
Image with caption: "Interior view of "canal d'amené d'eau", 13th turbine, Shipshaw hydropower plant, Saguenay, Québec May 2012 (CNW Group/RIO TINTO ALCAN - EN)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121116_C8823_PHOTO_EN_20780.jpg
Image with caption: "External view of the building of the 13th turbine, Shipshaw hydropower plant, Saguenay, Québec (CNW Group/RIO TINTO ALCAN - EN)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121116_C8823_PHOTO_EN_20786.jpg
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/11/16/20121116_C8823_DOC_EN_20790.pdf
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/11/16/20121116_C8823_DOC_EN_20791.pdf
SOURCE: RIO TINTO ALCAN - EN
Media relations, Rio Tinto Alcan
Bryan Tucker
T: +1 514-848-8151
[email protected]
Media relations, Rio Tinto Alcan
Claudine Gagnon
T: +1 418-699-4005
[email protected]
Website: www.riotinto.com/riotintoalcan
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