Although the conversion of the Thunder Bay Generating Station from coal to natural gas has been stopped, there is another possibility for the power plant’s future – biomass.
Ontario Power Generation Northwest thermal facilities plant manager Chris Fralick said Wednesday that like the Atikokan Generating Station, biomass is a definite possibility for the Thunder Bay plant.
“Technically, it’s absolutely feasible,” said Fralick, noting they are already in the process of converting the Atikokan facility.
The plant is running on coal now, but the conversion team that had been working on the transition to gas has been suspended since that project was stopped in November.
But Fralick said they are ready to go on a moment’s notice to resurrect that project.
They’re also ready to start working on a biomass conversion.
“We’re assessing all options so we’re not limited to one thing or another,” he said.
“We’re poised and ready to go when asked.”
Even with the uncertainty, Fralick is optimistic there will be life for the generating station beyond the 2014 coal deadline.
“Just listening to all the economic development potential in the Northwest – the mining, the pulp and paper – there’s positive news we’re hearing almost on a daily basis. That economic development is going need some power to support it,” he said.
The responsibility and accountability for the long-term supply and demand of power is with the Ontario Power Authority and they are currently in talks with local stakeholders like the energy task force about what those needs will be.
