Press Release
Resolute Forest Products Inc. today officially inaugurated a major power island producing “green” energy at its pulp and paper operation in Thunder Bay.
The power island includes a refurbished and upgraded woodwaste boiler and a new 65-megawatt condensing turbine.
Approved by Resolute in early 2011, the $65-million (Cdn.) project took just over 21 months to complete.
“The power island is a strategic addition to Resolute’s Thunder Bay facility,” stated president and CEO Richard Garneau.
“It will reduce the mill’s energy costs, as well as maximize our local woodlands, sawmill, pulp and paper, and energy operations by fully utilizing forest-based biomass to produce ‘green’ electricity,” he noted.
The “green” power produced will be sold to the Ontario grid under a power purchase agreement between Resolute and the Ontario Power Authority.
To mark the inauguration, a ceremonial “throwing of the switch” was held earlier today involving key company and government representatives.
Garneau and Resolute chairman of the board Richard B. Evans were joined by a number of government dignitaries, including Northern Development and Mines minister Michael Gravelle (also the MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North), Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro, and Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs.
Resolute employees and local community leaders also attended the event.
The project received support from the Ontario government’s Forest Sector Prosperity Fund, as well as from the federal government’s Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program.
“This project is consistent with Resolute’s focus on optimizing our network to reduce costs, as well as investing in projects that improve our competitive position and are aligned with a sustainable future,” added Garneau.
Although he could not attend the inauguration, Natural Resources minister David Orazietti sent a statement to mark the occasion.
“The investment by Resolute in its turbine at Thunder Bay is a key commitment by the company to support the future viability of the Thunder Bay pulp and paper operation,” he noted.
“I am pleased to see that the government’s offer of access to additional wood supply through the 2010 wood supply competition has helped support Resolute’s investment in its turbine, and that this government provided $9.6 million towards this important ‘green’ energy project that is integral to Resolute’s pulp and paper complex in Thunder Bay.”
“This is certainly an important investment that will ensure Resolute Forest Products remains a strong global force in the pulp and paper industry while continuing to contribute to the Thunder Bay economy,” said Gravelle.
“This new power island will significantly reduce their impact on the environment, and I’m thrilled that our government was able to help support this project.”
“This project helps to position the Resolute Forest Products mill in Thunder Bay as one of the most strategic assets—if not the most strategic—in their entire North American network,” noted Mauro.
“I am happy that our government programs are able to support the private-sector investment by Resolute in the Thunder Bay operation, which is now very well-positioned to support its employees, its customers, and the Thunder Bay economy for years to come.”
