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​New gas-fired power plant proposed near Grande Prairie

Power line
Power line (via Supplied)

The regulatory process is underway for a proposed new natural gas-fired electrical generating station in northwest Alberta.

The Canadian Impact Assessment Agency is accepting public comment on the Prairie Lights Power Project, a 360-megawatt facility that would be located about 35 kilometres south of Grande Prairie.

The project would also include 6-inch, 2,200-metre natural gas pipeline to connect the plant to the Nova Gas Transmission system, as well as a single double circuit 144 kV, 24-kilometre transmission line to connect to the existing Big Mountain 845S substation.

The capital cost of thed project has not been disclosed, but the Prairie Lights Power says that the construction phase will generate $400 million in value-added for the local economy, and support 300 jobs.

Operating activities would generate $30 million in value-added annually, supporting 75 jobs annually in addition to provincial and municipal government revenues, the company said.

Between 2018-2019, approximately $1.5 million was spent on project design, it said.

The project “will generate electricity from natural gas to provide a reliable source of electricity to help meet the growing demand of electricity in Alberta, and support the transition from coal power plants, which are nearing retirement in Alberta,” Prairie Lights said.

The company envisions site access and construction mobilization in May 2020, followed by operations in October 2022. 

- Deborah Jaremko, Alaska Highway News