Regina hosting carbon capture event

More than 60 representatives from governments and organizations from 12 countries arrived in Saskatchewan today to learn about the SaskPower Carbon Capture and Storage Global Consortium.

The first-ever Carbon Capture and Storage Information and Planning Symposium, held from May 21-23, will focus on the knowledge gained from the Boundary Dam integrated Carbon Capture and Storage Demonstration Project, now under construction.

"I'm pleased today to welcome delegates from around the world who are here to learn about applied carbon capture and storage done the Saskatchewan way," Premier Brad Wall said, who will speak at the Symposium banquet tonight. "The knowledge SaskPower has gained through its own carbon capture and storage project could, in turn, benefit other projects around the world."

The three-day symposium includes international guest speakers, technical presentations made by experts in the field, and a tour of the Boundary Dam carbon capture and storage project near Estevan.

"SaskPower is building the coal-fired power generation plant of the future," SaskPower President and CEO Robert Watson said. "Our carbon capture and storage plant will be capable of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent."

The $1.24 billion project at Boundary Dam remains on schedule for completion April 1, 2014. SaskPower is also currently building a carbon capture test facility with Hitachi Ltd. at the Shand Power Station near Estevan. The $60 million project funded by both SaskPower and Hitachi is scheduled for completion in mid-2014. The facility is leading the way by offering a neutral platform for vendors to verify and improve post-combustion technologies in a commercial setting.

"We understand that people around the world want cleaner, greener energy," Wall said. "SaskPower is poised to be a global leader in that area in terms of greenhouse gas mitigation."

The symposium is being held at Innovation Place. For further details visit the SaskPower CCS Global Consortium website at www.saskpowerccsconsortium.com.