Alberta Newsprint to Build Natural Gas Fired Power Generation Plant

Alberta Newsprint Co. (ANC) this past week reported that its ownership has approved construction of a power generation plant at its newsprint mill in Whitecourt, Alb., Canada. ANC is a joint venture of West Fraser and Whitecourt Newsprint Co. Partnership.

The approximately 65 MW power plant will produce electricity fueled by natural gas. Electricity generated by the plant will be consumed by ANC and sold into the Alberta power grid.

"ANC is committed to being a competitive, reliable, and long-term supplier of newsprint to our customers," says ANC President Ron Stern. "This significant investment will further enhance our ability to deliver a high-quality product to the market."

ANC is in the final stages of selecting the equipment supplier for the project. It expects to begin construction of the project this fall, with anticipated startup in late 2013. Construction of the power plant will not disrupt newsprint production operations.

The Whitecourt mill produces standard newsprint as well as rotogravure paper for the North American market.

TAPPI
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