PELLETS FOR BELLEDUNE

Nestled on the edge of New Brunswick’s Bay of Chaleur, Belledune Generating Station provides its province with both power and prosperity.

Beside extensive deep-water docks, its imposing 467 megawatt power plant steadfastly supports 15 percent of the province’s electricity grid. Through taxation, it provides half of the local area’s municipal budget.

But its towering smokestack is among the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in Atlantic Canada.

And country-wide climate policies, introduced in 2018, now give it just four years to phase out coal usage and switch to a cleaner fuel – or be shut down.

The consequences of the plant’s closure for the local and regional economy are unthinkable.

So, under the stewardship of Canada-based NB Power, ‘Belledune’ is amid an enormous, dynamic transformation – to recycle its existing infrastructure into a world-leading green energy hub.

The metamorphosis won’t just repurpose existing energy systems and meet the region’s decarbonisation goals; it will support rapid growth in electrification across multiple New Brunswick industries and it will preserve and create thousands of jobs.

The Belledune Clean Fuel Project – as it is known and quite-rightly hyped – is nothing short of a blueprint for energy and economic transition.

Combining biomass, wind, solar, hydrogen and modular nuclear energy systems, it is a formula that uncountable other industrial utility hubs around the world will be well-advised to adopt.

New Brunswick’s Energy and Resource Development Minister Rick Doucet crystalized the potential in the project when he said: “Coal-fired power plants are major emitters of greenhouse gases and we have an opportunity to explore new alternative fuel sources while growing the provincial economy through innovation.”

And NB Power’s vice president Brad Coady feels he has identified the fuel that can provide the foundation to New Brunswick’s new era of prosperity.

In charge of the power company’s business development and strategic partnerships, he believes advanced wood pellets will most likely answer the energy minister’s call.

VP Coady said: “Finding an alternative renewable fuel source for the Belledune Generating Station is part of our long-term strategy to drive New Brunswick to a cleaner, greener future.

“We have explored several options and strongly believe advanced wood pellets are the most cost-effective and efficient choice for our customers.”

Belledune Generating Station conducted two pilot test burns of black wood pellets, replacing 100 percent of coal in its furnaces, last year. The plant operated successfully on each occasion.

VP Brad Coady reflected: “The tests confirmed that advanced wood pellets in the form of both steam-treated and torrefied pellets could be an alternate fuel source for Belledune.

“Based on our testing, it appears that advanced wood pellets are like coal. They can tolerate damp conditions and be stored outside. They grind and burn in the boiler in a similar manner as coal.

“As we continue our transition process, more analysis and further testing will be carried out to determine any unique aspects to handling and burning wood pellets at Belledune.”

The Port of Belledune is supporting NB Power’s energy transition at Belledune Generating Station with new storage facilities, automated handling systems and other terminal infrastructure for advanced black pellets.

Mr Coady added: “Our goal is to primarily source our renewable fuel needs from New Brunswick- based businesses.

“Based on our conversations with the wood pellet industry, we are confident a sufficient supply of advanced wood pellets will be secured in the coming year.”

NB Power is expected to finalise its pellet plans this coming February, with an aim for Belledune Generating Station to begin burning them at some point between 2028 and 2030.

The energy transition will be facilitated by New Brunswick’s Belledune Port Authority. Its port president and CEO Denis Caron played a critical role in the pilot test burns, overseeing the port’s importation of 2500 metric tons of advanced wood pellets.

Mr Caron is also managing investment in new storage facilities, automated handling systems and other terminal infrastructure to increase Belledune’s capacity to handle more than half a million metric tons of advanced black pellets.

PowerWood Canada Corp’s CEO David Peters has monitored developments at Belledune Generating Station over many years. More recently, he has engaged in discussions with NB Power around the plant’s energy transition.

And, as a leading developer of advanced biofuels, PowerWood Canada Corp is already working closely with New Brunswick businesses to supply advanced black pellets under a long-term offtake agreement to NB Power.

Our CEO said: “New Brunswick Power Corporation’s proposal for energy transition at Belledune Generating Station is a truly visionary plan which combines multiple methods of renewable energy production.

“Replacing the huge amount of energy generated by burning coal is no easy task. It isn’t entirely possible with just wind and solar systems.

“The repurposing of Belledune Generating Station to burn advanced fuel pellets, which emit a small fraction of CO₂ compared to the coal, is critical to maintaining consistent power supplies to New Brunswick communities.

“For this reason PowerWood Canada Corp is in talks with the Belledune business community to become a regional producer and supplier of advanced steam-treated black pellets for new energy operations at the power plant.

“Our company will be pleased to extend the lifespan of this critical piece of energy infrastructure through its use of our low-emission biofuel. In the process, it also looks forward to creating new jobs and contributing to the area’s growing economy.”