Power Plant – Facilities
ENMAX Generation Portfolio Inc. (“EGPI”) applied to the AUC for approval to construct and operate a power plant located at the existing ENMAX Downtown District Energy Centre, pursuant to section 18 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act to connect the power plant to the 25-kilovolt distribution system.
EGPI submitted that the power plant would consist of one 3.3 megawatt natural gas-fired generator, equipped with a reciprocating engine and heat recovery equipment, using natural gas supplied from EGPI’s existing facility.
EGPI noted that the ENMAX Downtown District Energy Centre was originally designed for a capacity of 3.5 megawatts, and that the proposed power plant would replace an existing 750-kilowatt diesel standby generator. The power plant would supply power to the ENMAX Downtown District Energy Centre, and export any surplus to the grid.
EGPI submitted that its noise impact assessment would be in compliance with Rule 012: Noise Control, provided certain mitigation measures are installed. EGPI also submitted that its air dispersion modelling for the power plant would meet the Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives.
EGPI also requested an independent assessment of the power plant pursuant to section 95 of the Electric Utilities Act to allow it to hold an interest in the proposed power plant, since EGPI, through the ENMAX corporate structure, is a subsidiary of a municipality (i.e. the City of Calgary).
The AUC held that EGPI met all the requirements required by AUC rules, and was satisfied that no significant environmental impacts were expected from the proposed project.
With respect to EGPI’s compliance with section 95 of the Electric Utilities Act, the AUC held that because EGPI did not submit confirmation of its compliance with section 95 of the Electric Utilities Act, the project could only be approved on the condition that EGPI must file the independent assessment and authorization of the Minister of Energy with the AUC confirming compliance with Section 95 of the Electric Utilities Act.
