North America's largest power plant fueled completely by biomass, the Atikokan Generating Station conversion, is complete and the station is now generating electricity and helping meet local power needs in northwestern Ontario.
Atikokan Generating Station, which employs 70 full-time workers, burned its last coal two years ago, on Sept. 11, 2012. Conversion of the station began in mid-2012 and included construction of two silos and boiler modifications to accommodate the biomass. The project employed over 200 highly skilled trades people and technical workers.
A coal-free energy mix will lead to a significant reduction in harmful emissions, cleaner air and a healthier environment, they believe.
Atikoken Generating Station located in Ontario, Canada.
The biomass used to fuel Atikokan Generating Station is being harvested and processed in Ontario. It will provide renewable peaking power, and can be turned on when electricity demands are highest.OPG has contracts in place with two companies in northwestern Ontario to supply the wood pellets. Rentech Inc. and Resolute Forest Products Canada will each supply 45,000 tonnes of wood pellets annually.
The closure of Ontario's coal plants comes as the province moves toward implementing a smarter electricity grid and increasing efficiencies within the electricity system.