Last month, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) announced it would be accepting comments on the Initial Project Description for the Moraine Power Generation Project from Moraine Initiatives Ltd. (Moraine), a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company.
According to municipal officials, the proposed project, which would be developed in Woodlands County near Whitecourt, involves construction of an approximately 465 megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired power generation facility with integrated carbon dioxide (CO2) capture. Officials say Moraine recently submitted an Initial Project Description (IPD) to the IACC, the federal regulator reviewing the project.
“The Project would increase overall economic activity in the Whitecourt area,” says Ankur Mathur, Vice President of Moraine Initiatives Ltd. “In support of construction and long term operations both through employment and supply of services.”
Officials say the proposed project will produce near-zero emissions baseload electricity to meet the needs of Alberta electricity customers. According to the Town and County, the project is planned to be compliant with Canada’s proposed Clean Electricity Regulations and is aligned with the federal government’s objectives of achieving net-zero emissions from the electricity grid by 2035.
“During construction we estimate the peak workforce would be about 600 to 700 people and for the long term operations we expect about 32 full time employees during operation,” states Mathur when asked how many jobs this would bring to Whitecourt and surrounding area.
Project representatives say the proposed project will mark a new milestone in the energy sector by being the first of its kind in the region. The proposed project is expected to boost the local economy by supporting new job creation, enhancing sustainability, and enabling the development of CO2 capture and sequestration infrastructure to support future low emissions investment and growth in the region.
Officials say this location was selected for the project not only due to the natural resources and available infrastructure, but also due to the vitality of the community. Quality of life opportunities, such as health care, recreational, and cultural facilities, are also described as an essential component to attracting and retaining those that will construct and maintain this facility if approved.
Officials with the Moraine Power Generation Project will be at the Whitecourt Golf and Country Club on June 28, from from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
