SaskPower president and CEO Mike Marsh has issued a statement on the future of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at the Boundary Dam Power Station.
Marsh said comments to the CBC regarding what option SaskPower may recommend to government for future power generation were simply based on the economics of the generation options available as a utility today. A CBC story said the it was "highly unlikely" SaskPower would proceed with CCS at units 4 and 5, and that SaskPower would recommend going with natural gas.
Marsh also stated that other socioeconomic factors such as oil royalties, taxes, etc. would need to be factored into any final recommendation that government would ultimately consider.
To rule out a possible CCS recommendation at this point is premature, he said.
"SaskPower has captured more than 1.75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide at Boundary Dam 3," said Marsh. "The project has been heralded around the world as a major breakthrough in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. BD3 was the first commercial power plant in the world to have a fully integrated post-combustion carbon capture system."
Marsh said SaskPower continues to evaluate the feasibility of expanding carbon capture at Boundary Dam.
"It is important that the company complete its due diligence and considers all factors before making a recommendation to its board of directors and ultimately to the government," he said.
SaskPower has stated previously it would make that decision before the end of this year or early next year. Units 4 and 5 at Boundary Dam would be the next to be retro-fitted with CCS technology.
Next week's edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
