The Government of Canada is investing in the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Limited Partnership to improve the company’s environmental performance and help to drive the evolution of Canada’s forest sector, the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Minister for the Asia–Pacific Gateway, announced recently.
Located in Port Mellon, B.C., the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper mill will receive $36.7 million in funding under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program to invest in technology that will improve the energy efficiency of the mill’s boiler. Through a series of adjustments, the mill will be able to operate the boiler at full power and increase its capacity to burn wood waste.
These modifications to the power boiler will result in more than 127,000 additional mega-watt hours of renewable electricity a year — enough green power for 10,654 homes. This increase will revolutionize the mill’s current business model, as it will be able to sell its surplus of renewable energy to BC Hydro.
"This investment will position Howe Sound Pulp and Paper at the forefront of clean energy production from wood biomass in British Columbia," said Minister Day. "The Green Transformation Program is helping to drive the renewal of the country’s pulp and paper sector by supporting smart investments that enhance a mill’s energy efficiency and the production of renewable energy."
The refurbished boiler will also reduce natural gas consumption by 6.5 million cubic metres a year and significantly reduce the mill’s greenhouse gas emissions by 12,000 tonnes per year — the equivalent volume of emissions released by more than 3,000 cars annually.
"As a result of this investment in our boiler, we will become one of the largest independent producers of renewable electricity in British Columbia," said Mac Palmiere, President and Chief Executive Officer of Howe Sound Pulp and Paper. "The addition of this third product line will enhance the mill’s future viability and help to secure the jobs that depend on our success. The Green Transformation Program has provided us with this opportunity and enabled us to transform our business."
