Howe Sound Pulp and Paper and BC Hydro have reached an agreement under BC Hydro’s Integrated Power Offer that will not only reduce the mill’s electricity consumption, but also enable the mill to sell surplus clean electricity to BC Hydro, the companies announced recently.
BC Hydro’s Integrated Power Offer helped the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Limited Partnership identify renewable power generation and energy conservation opportunities that enabled the mill to qualify for $36.7 million in Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program funding from Natural Resources Canada. "With these funds and the support we are receiving from BC Hydro, we will be making continuous improvements to our mill’s energy management and energy efficiency that will enable us to become a significant renewable clean power generator," said Mac Palmiere, President and Chief Executive Officer of Howe Sound Pulp and Paper. "The addition of a third product – electricity – transforms our business and enhances our viability for years to come."
The energy-efficiency upgrades will enable the mill to save approximately 65 gigawatt hours of electricity every year. In addition, a refurbished boiler at the mill will enable it to operate its generators at a higher capacity using 100 per cent biomass fuel, resulting in the generation and sale of 400 gigawatt hours per year of clean electricity. BC Hydro will purchase all of the electricity produced as a result of the boiler upgrade – enough power for about 36,000 homes. By enabling the efficient use of biomass fuel, the boiler upgrade will also reduce the mill’s natural gas consumption by 6.5 million cubic meters annually and significantly reduce the mill’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 12,000 tonnes per year, which is equivalent to the yearly emissions from 3,000 cars. BC Hydro and the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources congratulated Howe Sound Pulp and Paper today for its commitment to adopting energy efficiency measures and clean energy generation that will help the mill to improve its competitive position.
