Suncor invests $1.4B in cogeneration units at Oil Sands Base Plant
By PLANT STAFF
Industry Energy Manufacturing Resource Sector energy gas manufacturing oil Suncor EnergyWill provide steam generation required for Suncor’s extraction and upgrading operations.
Oil sands product tanks, Fort McMurray, Alta.
Photo: Suncor Energy
CALGARY — Suncor Energy is replacing its coke-fired boilers with two cogeneration units at its Oil Sands Base Plant in Northern Alberta.
The Calgary-based energy company said the cogeneration units will provide reliable steam generation required for Suncor’s extraction and upgrading operations and generate 800 megawatts of power while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% or 2.5 megatonnes.
The estimated project cost is $1.4 billion with service by the second half of 2023.
The power will be transmitted to Alberta’s grid, providing power equivalent to about 8% of Alberta’s current electricity demand, while increasing demand for natural gas in the province.
Replacing the coke-fired boilers is also expected to reduce sulphur dioxide by 45% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 15%. The cogeneration units will eliminate the need for a flue gas desulphurization unit, which is currently used to reduce sulphur emissions associated with coke fuel.
Decommissioning the unit will reduce the volume of water the company withdraws from the Athabasca River by approximately 20%.
