Myles
Dougan is Vice-President in charge of communications at Altagas,
speaking to the Forrest Kerr Run-of-River Hydro project that is
proceeding in northern B.C. within the traditional territory of the
Tahltan Nation. Dougan says, “This is a really good project that we
are proceeding with, establishing long-term relationships with the
Tahltan and BC Hydro.”
The project
is signed with a 60-year agreement to sell power to BC Hydro, 195 MWh,
enough to power 70,000 homes, “The 60-year agreement is rather
unheard of,” says Dougan, “twenty, twenty-five are common, but 60
years is quite something.” The signings include transmission
agreements. “That is the expectation.”
The project
is under construction and initial clearing of the site is done, “and
we are proceeding with the second half of initial construction.
Everything is proceeding toward a completion date that will see power
delivered to grid by 2014.
The Forrest
Kerr Project will channel a portion of the Iskut River flow through a
tunnel to an underground powerhouse, where it will pass through
turbines to produce electricity before it is returned to the river.
The Forrest Kerr Project was issued an environment assessment
certificate in March 2010. Site development activities are currently
underway and AltaGas anticipates initiating construction immediately.
"This
project represents an exciting partnership for AltaGas with the
Tahltan Nation and with the Government of British Columbia,” added
Mr. Cornhill. “The Forrest Kerr Project will be a significant
renewable energy asset, and is supported by 40 years of hydrology
data and analysis.”
AltaGas and
the Tahltan Nation have established a strong working relationship
that will see the people of the Tahltan Nation having employment and
business opportunities and economic participation in the Forrest Kerr
Project.
"The
Tahltan Nation is proud of this Impact Benefit Agreement with Coast
Mountain Hydro Corp. and the increased economic security that it will
provide for generations to come,” said Annita McPhee, Chair,
Tahltan Central Council. “This agreement establishes ownership,
management of our resources and profit sharing while taking into
consideration the protection of our environment as a renewable energy
project. This IBA will set the bar for resource development projects
and demonstrates the results of a successful relationship with a
company in Tahltan Territory that respects our Aboriginal title and
rights"
The Forrest
Kerr construction site located in northwest British Columbia, about
100 km from Stewart, BC., AltaGas expects the Forrest Kerr Project to
be the first of three run-of-river power generation projects in the
area. The company continues development of its McLymont Creek and
Volcano Creek projects.
“The
Forrest Kerr Project represents an important evolution in AltaGas’
power business as we continue to build long-term contracted
generation assets,” said David Cornhill, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of AltaGas. “These projects will provide the
people of British Columbia with clean and reliable power from a
significant water resource. For our investors, this announcement
comes at an important time in history as governments move to reduce
emissions while building for the future.”
The Forrest
Kerr Project is to be constructed wholly within Tahltan Nation
traditional territory and is estimated to cost a total of
approximately $700 million. Once completed, the project will offset
more than 450,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas equivalents annually. The
Forrest Kerr Project will deliver electricity to the terminus point
of a 287-kV Northwest Transmission Line (NTL), near Bob Quinn, BC.
(BC Hydro is developing the NTL.)
Meanwhile
Altagas successfully completed of the Bear Mountain Wind Energy
Project at Dawson Creek, B.C., after they began erecting wind
turbines in May 2009. By July 2009, the first wind turbine was
completed, and by October the construction of 34 wind turbines was
completed, on budget and ahead of schedule. “So far the electrical
generation is not quite as strong as we had hoped,” but time, and
more wind, will tell the story.