The new generating station at the North Battleford Energy Centre is now up and running.
SaskPower reported the 260 MW combined natural gas facility began operations at midnight June 5, after completing all required tests.
That is according to both SaskPower and the plant's owner-operator, Northland Power.
The plant, located east of North Battleford, provides baseload and intermediate power generation, with a capacity to generate electricity for 250,000 homes. It brings SaskPower's total generating capacity to 4,355MW.
The plant was built and operated by the Ontario-based independent power company Northland Power, who have entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement for the facility following a competitive bid process in 2008.
Northland Power also operates a generating station at Spy Hill and an 86 MW natural gas peak power facility near Esterhazy. David Dougall, Northland's vice-president of operations said in a statement that the opening "represents an important milestone for Northland. With North Battleford in operation, we are now generating over 340 MW of power in Saskatchewan, and net 1,265 MW across all of our operating facilities."
Construction of the new power plant started in June 2010. The project was built under contract with Kiewit Power Partners.
According to Northland Power, the plant consists of a 170 megawatt General Electric gas turbine operating in "combined cycle" with a heat recovery steam generator and steam turbine. The boiler then produces steam for the steam turbine to generate additional electricity, bringing it up to its total capacity.
Northland Power also made a deal with the City of North Battleford to use wastewater from the City's wastewater treatment plant for cooling purposes at the power plant.
This is the second power plant to go up in the Battlefords in recent years. The Yellowhead Power Station, a 138 MW natural gas generating station, was introduced as a peak load power station in 2011.
In a statement, SaskPower president and CEO Robert Watson said the facility will help meet the demand for power in the coming years in the province.
"We expect the demand for power to continue to grow over the next decade, so new generation sources are needed," said Watson. "Natural gas is attractive because of its lower capital construction costs and relatively quick construction timelines."
"We are delighted to help meet Saskatchewan's long-term energy needs, and look forward to a long-lasting partnership with SaskPower," said John Brace, CEO of Northland, in a statement Wednesday.
"On behalf of everyone at Northland, I would like to thank the community of North Battleford, SaskPower, and all levels of government in Saskatchewan for their role in making this project a success. I would also like to thank Kiewit and the Northland team, and acknowledge their dedication and hard work, which allowed us to complete the project on schedule and on budget."
