Industrial System Designation
Application
Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (“Al-Pac”) operates a pulp mill facility in the Athabasca area. Al-Pac has approval to own and operate electric facilities at the pulp mill facility, including a 106-megawatt (“MW”) power plant and the Grassland 282S Substation, and to connect those facilities to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (“AIES”). The power plant, which initially consisted of only three steam-fuelled generators, was added in 2001 to supply electric energy to the pulp mill facility and to export excess energy to the AIES. The fourth generator, a gas turbine generator, and the Grassland 282S Substation were added in 2011. Al-Pac filed an application requesting an industrial system designation (ISD”) encompassing all electric facilities at its pulp mill.
Decision
The AUC found that Al-Pac’s application substantially met all the requirements for an ISD and demonstrated significant and sustained increased efficiency. The AUC approved the request for an ISD.
Applicable Legislation
Alberta Utilities Commission Act, SA 2007, c A-37.2 – s 9.
Electric Utilities Act, SA 2003, c E-5.1 – ss 2(1)(d), and 117.
Hydro and Electric Energy Act, RSA 2000, c H-16 – ss 4(3)(a) to 4(3)(g), and 4(5).
